Traveling across the country can be a great way to see amazing sites that you would not be able to experience otherwise. Traveling such a long distance can be very costly, though. The guide below walks you through a few ways that you can get the most bang for your buck when you travel across the country.
Take the Time to Minimize Your Expenses While You are Away
You want to be sure to minimize the amount of money that will be spent at your home while you are away to ensure you spend as little as possible in the end. A great way to cut down on Texas electric rates is to turn the thermostat to a temperature that will not fluctuate much while you are away. You and your family will not have to be in the home while you are away so it doesn’t matter if the thermostat is set at an uncomfortable temperature.
Setting the thermostat to such a temperature will limit how often the heat or the air conditioning turns on while you are away. The less the house needs to be warmed or cooled, the less your overall power costs will be.
Determine the Most Direct Route
Next, you need to determine what sites your family wants to see during the trip. You need to sit down and create a route for the family to take so that you can make the most of each day of the trip and not spend time driving a longer route than is needed. The most direct route will save you money because you will not be wasting gas going to places that no one really wants to see.
Plan Meals Ahead of Time
You want to be sure to take the time to pack food with you for the trip before you leave. There are many times when the food costs during a trip can be the most expensive investment you have to spend, especially when you are feeding multiple people. Try to limit how often you eat out during the trip. Packing sandwich supplies in a cooler, along with drinks and snacks can save you a lot of money during the trip. You could still eat out, but you should limit it to one meal a day to save money.
Save Money on Accommodations
Many people assume that they have to stay in a hotel when they are traveling across the country, but that is not the case at all. Consider staying at campgrounds along your way. Many campgrounds have cabins you can rent for a fraction of what a hotel room would cost. The main buildings often have Wi-Fi for campers to use and even a game room so that the kids can unwind after being in the car for hours on end. During the summer, the pools at the campgrounds are often open so that everyone can go for a dip when they want to stretch out their muscles.
Once your trip is planned, you will be ready to head out. Be sure to bring travel games with you to have in the car in case the kids get bored and need to be entertained. Providing each child with a disposable camera can be another way to allow them to pay attention to what they are seeing along the way. They can document the trip in a way that allows them to know it is their vacation just as much as it is yours.