The humble road trip is popular during the pandemic.
The road trip is something you can use as part of your travel strategy after the pandemic too though.
If you save money on domestic travel, you will have more money or points for bigger international trips.
I think people should prioritize international travel after the pandemic.
One way to do that is to save money on domestic trips.
It is also a way to travel more for less.
Most people want some form of domestic travel too though.
Here is how to use the road trip to increase your quantity of domestic travel and have plenty of money or points left for bigger international trips.
Two types of travel
There really are only two types of travel.
There is domestic travel and international travel.
Domestic travel can use either a car or a plane.
International travel, unless you are taking a cruise, will require a plane.
I think people should fly more in general with $15 cheap tickets and award sales that can go as low as 5000 miles.
However, for short distances of less than 4-6 driving hours, the road trip can increase your quantity of travel as well as expose you to new places nearby.
This will leave you with more money or points for bigger international trips again.
Driving distances at above 6-7 hours will usually require a plane, but there are ways you can save on that too.
What is a road trip anyway?
This may sound obvious.
When I read other posts, people have different definitions of road trips though.
Some people think road trips are only big cross country extravaganzas or even state scenic highways like the Pacific Highway.
Others just define a road trip as a long trip.
Lastly, the definition I am using is a car trip that gets you to your destination while saving you money.
Of course, since the latter is an often used budget trick to save money, there are varying opinions about it.
Some people (until the pandemic) would turn their nose up at the road trip.
Others have unpleasant memories of being made to endure one too many road trips as a child.
Honestly, though I still prefer flying, there is still something magical about hitting the highway with the wind blowing and the window rolled down.
As you do that, you are usually passing through some beautiful scenary too.
Road trips can be fun.
I did not do as many road trips in the past couple of years, so maybe soon l will get tired of driving later though.
In any case, especially with a distance less than four hours, the road trip can save you some money.
I say four hours, but it depends on your driving endurance.
Car trips of 6-7 hours don’t bother me, but over that is pushing it unless it is a special long trip.
You need to always consider gas prices too.
Types of road trips to take to save money
Here are the various road trips to take.
You probably already know or use most of them.
Different ones apply to different situations.
This will help you plan and budget.
Weekend road trip
This is popular.
This might entail a whole weekend, like 2 days.
I think this is ok.
Just keep in mind that you will be paying more for two or more nights at a hotel.
Honestly, I prefer weekend trips of at least 2 days for flying.
I prefer overnight trips for my short car trips.
I don’t have a family of four though.
Still, considering a family of four, that could save you money instead of 4 plane tickets.
Overnight road trip
Again, this is my favorite since I travel solo a lot.
This gets me a full day in whatever city and saves the most of any trip using a hotel.
Again, I want to prioritize international travel.
If you are not careful, you could spend the same amount on a domestic trip as you would on an international trip.
That is not what I want to do, but again I do not travel with a family of four.
Also, I like to travel frequently (later every week).
This allows me to hit up a new destination frequently.
Day trips
This is the most budget friendly for travel under 4-5 hours.
You get to do some of the same activities without spending money on a hotel.
On my last day trip, I got almost the same amount of activities in as some of my overnight trips.
Learn New Places In Your State Or Nearby State With Road Trips
Exploring your state or nearby state is a great way to see more destinations with road trips.
Most states have major cities.
They also have national/state parks, and top museums.
Don’t just keep yourself to major cities.
I have ordered several state guides.
They will show you the top things to do in each state.
These are all helpful and free.
Just google “(name of state) free guide.”
Again, this can be great for touring your state as well as neighboring states.
For me, neighboring states include Tennessee, Georgia, and maybe parts of Florida.
Just order the state guide book again.
A word about domestic flying
Again, after car driving distance of 5-7 hours, I prefer flying.
More than likely if you are going to travel between New York and Los Angelas, you will fly.
To drive from New York City to Los Angelas is two days without rest stops.
Always take into consideration gas prices too again.
I have an upcoming trip to New Orleans.
With gas prices today, it could be cheaper to fly.
I live about seven hours away from New Orleans.
Domestic flights are something I suggest you save money on too.
Again, that could be money toward a bigger international trip where you get to learn how the rest of the world lives.
Some suggestions for saving money on domestic trips that require a plane include:
- budget airlines (bring backpack instead of carry on)
- award flight sales
- doing weekend trips of 2 days instead of longer (helps if you work full time too)
Always consider gas prices
This may be obvious, but gas prices can make your car trip as expensive as a flight.
For my New Orleans trip coming up, it will cost at least $80 for gas round trip.
I also rent cars.
So, always take gas and other expenses of driving into consideration.
How This increases your quantity of travel
1. You can take these short trips more often
Short trips are easy and affordable.
In the past couple of months, I have done Nashville, Atlanta, and parts of the state I live in.
Nashville, that is only an hour and a half away, costs less than $30 round trip for gas round trip.
I stay in hotels to review them, but some of those trips could even be day trips if no hotel was used.
That means in between your bigger trips, you could be jetting off every weekend to somewhere new.
Most states have so many places to explore, so after you explore your state and surrounding ones, that is a lot of places to explore.
That could be less than $30 for gas as your only expense except food.
2. You can have more money for your bigger trips
Again, I would suggest everyone prioritize international travel, but you may even want a big domestic trip that requires a flight.
In any case, if you spend little on these short trips, you could have more money for your bigger trips.
Know It Could Be Still Cheaper To Fly
With $15 flights and 5000 mile award sales, flying could still be cheaper.
Always do the research.
Make sure to check budget airlines as well as award miles on major airlines before your flight.
Summary
Road trips under 6-7 hours are one of my favorite strategies to travel more for less.
I like to travel frequently though.
I think you should travel more frequently too, even with your road trips.
Again I think people should fly more too.
Most people say they would travel more if money were no object.
Road trips allow you to increase your quantity of domestic travel without spending a lot of money.
I have seen the humble road trip looked down on.
When you understand that there are only two types of travel (domestic and international), this is a way to save money on domestic trips.
Since road trips are budget friendly, it will get you traveling more.
At Travel Points 101, we want you to travel more
We know you can accomplish your bigger travel goals whatever they are.
This is easier to do if you are saving money on your short trips.
Do you take a lot of road trips?
Do they save you money?
I love a good road trip, but with 4 dogs travel can be hard. Thanks for the awesome suggestions.
Thank you.