I Can't Drive 55!

While on vacation over the past couple of weeks, I was thinking about how to save money while on the road. Given that we drove to and from our destination, money for gas, snacks, drinks, etc., were on my mind. So, here are my tips for a great money saving road trip or vacation.

1. Pack a cooler and take it with you. Take your own water, sodas, and ice with you. It will save you a lot of money in the long run. Also, if you don't have a cooler, I suggest buying a MaxCold because it DOES WORK!!!! We have still had ice in our cooler after 5 days.
   
   
2. Take along your own snacks for the car. If you drive anything over two hours, it is definitely worth it. Our time in the car one-way was approximately 5 hours, so we definitely made sure to have our snacks packed. It also gives you a chance to control what you eat. Healthy snacks are much better for everyone and are not always available at the roadside gas station/convenience store. And there is nothing wrong with throwing a couple of candy bars or packs of cookies in there too!
   
3. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Driving with over- or under-inflated tires can actually cause you to use more gas, which of course adds to the cost of your trip. And, properly inflated tires add to your safety.
4. Drive the posted speed limits (or close to it -- not that I am telling you to speed, but I do understand if you are 1-5 MPH over). Why is this important? Because it saves you from getting a speeding ticket and those can be very expensive. And, it is much safer. Of course you can buy a radar detector starting anywhere from $35.oo up to whatever you are willing to spend, but just remember, if you get caught by Mr. Policeman or Policewoman AND you have a radar detector, you are at risk of paying more. Probably not worth it in my opinion.
   
5. Use your cruise control. Gas mileage is better the more consistent your speed is and what better way to control your speed? You paid for the feature when you bought your car....why not use it?
   

So, on your next road trip or vacation, try out some of these tips. I bet you will save yourself more money than you thought. Have fun!!!!