Experience the Great Outdoors: How to Save on Your Next Road Trip through the Great Outdoors
A long-distance road trip through the United States is an amazing experience. From breathtaking scenery to quirky roadside attractions, the USA offers something for everyone, usually within less than a day's drive of major centers.
Make your next journey even better with these road trip tips for families. Planning ahead, picking the right snacks, and knowing how to save money on hotels on a road trip will make your next trip more fun, less stressful, and more economical. And when you’re ready to get out on the highway, WoodSpring Suites is there for you with comfortable hotel suites whether you need accommodation for a night, a few days, or longer.
Plan Your Route
When it comes to US road trips you’re spoiled for choice. Before setting out, decide which sights and activities you want to experience and plan the trip around them. This helps keep you on track and focused so you’re not stopping in at every roadside attraction you see (not that touring America’s roadside attractions isn’t an adventure in itself).
For instance, your road trip might start with a weekend of Reno casinos and nightlife, then head east to use Salt Lake City as a base while you explore Utah’s amazing landscape. From there, you might drive through the majestic Rocky Mountains to Denver, Colorado, before heading home.
When you plan your itinerary leave a few days open, either to explore or just relax. This is one of the most important road trip tips for families with small children, as it gives the whole family an opportunity to recharge after long car rides of exciting days out. The many WoodSpring Suites locations allow you to find accommodation easily and alter the length of your stay without any hassle.
Set a Budget
Once you know where you want to go, set a budget for the trip. Estimate what you’ll need for fuel, entertainment, lodging, and food. This helps avoid overspending and makes it easier to decide when you’ll eat out, when you’ll prepare your own food, and how much to spend on attractions. If you’re heading to Orlando, for instance, knowing how much you can spend helps you narrow down which theme parks you want to visit.
Split the Cost
If you’re traveling with friends or adult family members, you can make the road trip more affordable for everyone by splitting the cost of gas, food, lodging, and other expenses. Before the trip, have everyone download an app like Venmo to their phones so you can quickly send money to each other to cover trip costs. As for accommodation, WoodSpring Suites rooms can sleep up to four guests per suite, so you can share a room to keep travel costs low.
Pack the Snacks
Food and lodging are usually the biggest expenses associated with any road trip: Eating out for every meal can quickly decimate your travel budget. Instead, invest in a cooler and some reusable stainless steel water bottles. Pack the cooler with sandwiches, fresh fruit, veggies, and other cold picnic food, and use the water bottles for hot or cold beverages (staying hydrated on a road trip is extremely important).
WoodSpring Suites guest rooms come with a full refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop. Pack the cooler with ingredients for easy skillet or microwave meals so you can whip together a meal at the end of the day.
How to Save Money on Hotels on a Road Trip
If you’re planning an extended stay at your destination, hotels and motels can be expensive
Extended stay hotels offer an alternative, allowing you to book a suite for a few nights or several months depending on your plans. An extended stay suite offers a place to relax after a day in the great outdoors. Many WoodSpring Suites hotels are located within a short drive of major tourist attractions and come with in-suite kitchens so you can prepare family meals without the cost of nightly trips to restaurants. If you need accommodation on your next road trip, but find traditional hotel stays too costly, WoodSpring offers an affordable, comfortable alternative.
