It’s hard to believe that the holiday season has arrived once more! This year, a significant number of individuals have decided to stay at home, while a good portion are opting to travel and enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with their dear ones. For a majority of Americans, Thanksgiving signifies sharing a significant meal and quality moments with close family and friends. However, reaching these gatherings often means embarking on a Thanksgiving road trip, solo or with the whole family.
Thanksgiving routinely presents a busy period for travellers. A plethora of Americans aim to travel this holiday season to compensate for the missed family time last year. Consequently, traffic congestion is expected to escalate, thereby increasing the stress factor for drivers during this already hectic season.
Nevertheless, if properly planned, a Thanksgiving road trip can prove to be quite an enjoyable experience. Here are a few economical tips for road trips that can assist in ensuring a smoother journey.
PLAN YOUR BUDGET
As an advocate for prudent budgeting, especially while travelling, I recommend devising a plan in relation to the nature of your trip. Your budget should cover elements such as accommodation, which could range from hotels to Airbnb or campgrounds; meals, involving dining out or groceries, along with costs for refreshments like coffee, snacks, alcohol, and other delicacies; miscellaneous expenses that may include things like ice for your cooler, shower charges at campgrounds, parking fees, tolls, toiletries, medicines, souvenirs, gifts, and so on; and an emergency fund to tackle unforeseen expenses – vehicle servicing on the road or potentially medical costs.
MAKE ADVANCE PLANS
To ease your drive this Thanksgiving, chart out your plans well in advance. By packing snacks, meals, and beverages, you can reduce the number of stops on your route. As rest stops tend to be crowded with travellers, booking your accommodation in advance if you plan to drive for consecutive days, allows for a quicker journey and adherence to your budget.
STOCK UP ON FOOD
Visiting eateries for all daily meals can be expensive and add to your food costs quickly. Carrying a stock of edible and non-perishable food, and perhaps a heavy-duty cooler for items needing refrigeration, can prove cost-effective.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
A well-choreographed route maximises fuel efficiency, bypasses tolls, and offers economical accommodation options along affordable routes. A detailed plan prevents unnecessary meandering through towns in search of activities, saving fuel costs.
MAKE AN EARLY START
To evade heavy traffic this Thanksgiving, you could consider starting a day early or as early in the morning as feasible. This may leave you tired but it means getting to your destination faster and with less stress. Also, holiday travel can be expensive so beating the rush can save on higher toll, hotel and inflating gas prices.
PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle requires a thorough examination to ensure its readiness for the road trip. A well-maintained vehicle with properly inflated tires can enhance fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Changing the oil is important for maintaining the engine’s performance. All these costs must be factored into the road trip budget.
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE LODGING
Selecting accommodations like Airbnb or campgrounds can significantly reduce your road trip costs compared to traditional hotels.
VERIFY AUTO INSURANCE
Ensure your insurance plan covers emergency roadside assistance, vandalism, theft, damage, and even hotel accommodation during overnight repairs.
AVOID INTERSTATE GAS STATIONS
Gas stations near exit ramps tend to charge more than those further in town. So, it’s advisable to fill your tank on cheaper weekdays rather than weekends and holidays.
USE PLANNING APPS
Download apps like Road Trippers and iExit for convenience in locating amenities and determining the best spots for pit stops. Gas Buddy can help you find the cheapest gas.
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
If you’re planning to embark on a road trip this Thanksgiving, remember these tips. Additionally, be mindful of weather conditions, drive safely, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving road trip!
