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How to Road Trip Across the United States on a Budget

The Great American Road Trip is a rite of passage in the United States . We Americans have a unique fascination with the open road. It’s built into our cultural DNA. In Jazz Age America, the car was a symbol of freedom — a chance to escape your small town and the watchful eyes of parents.

As the highway system was developed in the 1950s, a wave of kids set out on the road to explore the country, giving new life to America’s car and road trip culture. Today, many still dream of getting in a car and driving into wide open spaces for months on end.

I’ve had the privilege of taking several multi-week and multi-month road trips around the country over the years. From traveling the Deep South to criss-crossing the country coast to coast , I’ve visited almost every state, exploring the myriad nooks and crannies of Uncle Sam’s backyard.

One thing is for certain, in diversity and scale, the United States is virtually unrivaled.

But this isn’t a post about fawning over America and its landscapes ( this post is ). This article is about how you can travel around the US on a budget.

Because, as it turns out, this country is surprisingly easy to travel on the cheap.

While rising gas prices and rental car price gouging post-COVID put a damper on things, it’s still easier than you think to have a budget-friendly road trip adventure around the USA.

In this post, I’ll explain how much I spent on one of my trips, how much you should expect to spend, and how you can save money on your next road trip.

Table of Contents

How Much Did My Cross-Country Road Trip Cost?

How to save money on your road trip, how to save on accommodation, how to save on food, how to save on sightseeing, how to save on transportation.

After 116 days traveling around the United States on this trip, I spent $6,262.67 USD, or $53.98 USD per day. While that is slightly higher than $50 USD a day, there were many parts of my budget I splurged on (see breakdown below) which skewed the number up. I definitely could have visited the country even cheaper if I didn’t have an addiction to Starbucks and sushi.

Here is how the numbers from my road trip break down:

• Accommodations: $1,036.36
• Food: $3,258.23
• Drinks: $438.94
• Gas: $696.98
• Parking: $253.00
• Starbucks: $75.26
• Miscellaneous (movies, toiletries, etc.): $170.00
• Attractions: $269.40
• Taxis: $41.00
• Bus: $17.50
• Subway: $6.00
• TOTAL : $6,262.67

Let’s break this down. First, my Starbucks addiction was unnecessary and added to my costs. Second, as a lover of sushi, trying various restaurants throughout my road trip drastically raised my food costs. Sushi, after all, is not cheap.

Moreover, I ate as if I wasn’t on a budget and rarely cooked, which is why my food expenses were so high relative to everything else. I would have definitely gone below $50 USD per day if I followed my own advice and cooked more often.

But, while I splurged in some places, three other things really helped me to keep expenses down: First, gas prices were low, averaging around $2.35 USD a gallon over the duration of my trip. (We’re going to discuss how to still do a road trip on a budget with high gas prices in the next section.)

Second, once you leave the big cities, prices for everything drop by nearly half so I spent a lot of time out of cities.

Third, I used Couchsurfing and cashed in hotel points to keep accommodation costs down. That helped a lot.

Overall, I didn’t do too bad and am happy with how much I spent. But is this how much you’ll spend, especially in the face of inflation and high gas prices? Let’s discuss that below.  

It’s no secret travel costs a lot lately and inflation and high gas prices have really made super cheap road trips hard if you’re not staying places for free but that doesn’t mean the road trip has to be super expensive.

With that in mind, here’s how to cut your accommodation, sightseeing, food, and transportation costs — all without cutting into your experience!  

1. Couchsurf — Couchsurfing is a service that allows you to stay with locals for free. Using this website (or similar ones) is the best way to lower accommodation costs, as you can’t get cheaper than free!

More than that, it’s a wonderful way to meet locals, get insider tips, and find off-the-beaten-track stuff to do in the area you’re visiting. While you’re generally expected to reciprocate your host’s kindness (cooking them a meal, taking them out for drinks or coffee, etc.), it’s still far cheaper than paying for a hotel or motel.

While the app has seen its community shrink in recent years, there are still plenty of hosts across the United States so you’ll rarely find problems finding someone to put you up.

Additionally, if you don’t feel comfortable staying with a stranger, you can use the app to meet people for drinks, coffee, activities, or anything else you want to do. That way, you can still meet a local and get their insider tips without having to stay with them. The app has all kinds of meet-ups and events too so be sure to check it out.

2. Airbnb — I only recommend using Airbnb in rural, out of the way places where hotels are limited. Avoid them as much as possible in other circumstances. Here is why we don’t really recommend them.

3. Budget hotels — There are a plethora of cheap roadside hotels such as Motel 6 and Super 8 that will help you stay cheap. Rooms start around $50 USD per night and are super basic and always look well worn. You’ll get a bed, bathroom, TV, tiny closet, and maybe a desk. They are nothing to write home about, but for a quiet place to sleep for a night, they do the trick.

And if you’re traveling with someone you should always say the room is for one person as these hotels charge you more for two people.

Also, make sure you sign up for Booking.com and Hotels.com loyalty programs. Hotels.com gives you a free room after 10 bookings, and Booking.com offers members 10% off bookings, as well as free upgrades and perks if you book multiple times after signing up. They definitely helped a lot.

Pro tip : Book through websites like Mr.Rebates or Rakuten . By using their links before going to Hotels.com or Booking, you’ll get 2-4% cash back in addition to the loyalty program deals.

4. Hotel points — Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards before you go and use those points when you travel. You can get upwards of 70,000 points as a sign-up bonus, which can translate into a week’s worth of accommodations.

The points came in handy in places where I couldn’t find an Airbnb, hostel, or Couchsurfing host. This saved my butt in big cities around the country. I was glad I had accrued so many hotel points before my trip.

To learn more about, check out these posts:

• The Best Hotel Credit Cards
• The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Best Travel Credit Card
• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• The Best Travel Credit Cards

5. Hostels — There aren’t many hostels in the United States, and most of them are overpriced. A dorm room typically costs around $30 a night, which means you can obtain a similar private room on Airbnb at the same price. If you are traveling with others, it’s often more economical to get a budget hotel than a bunch of dorm beds.

However, if you are traveling solo and want to meet others, the social benefits may outweigh the lack of value. There were just some times I didn’t want to be alone – I wanted to be around other travelers.

Some of the hostels I loved are:

• Samesun Venice Beach (LA)
• South Beach Hostel (Miami)
• India House (New Orleans)
• Jazz Hostels (NYC)
• ITH Adventure Hostel (San Diego)
• The Green Tortoise (San Francisco and Seattle).

For more hostel suggestions, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in the USA.

6. Camping — Dotted around the country — including around all the national parks — are inexpensive campsites. If you have a tent and camping gear, this is by far the cheapest way to travel. Campsites cost between $10-30 USD per night, which makes seeing the country incredibly affordable. Most campsites have basic amenities like running water, bathrooms, and the ability to upgrade to get electricity.

In addition to your standard campgrounds, check out the sharing economy website Campspace . It lets you pitch a tent on private properties all around the country for a small fee. Much like Airbnb, some plots are super basic and barebones while others are more luxurious, so be sure to poke around for a cheap place to stay as there are plots available all around the country.

It’s also legal to wild camp in national forests and on BLM land unless otherwise marked.

7. Sleep in your car — I know this isn’t glamorous but sleeping in your vehicle brings your accommodation costs down to zero. I know lots of travelers who did this to make their trip more affordable, some sleeping in their car just occasionally and others doing it every night. Chances are you won’t sleep well but you will save money, and that’s a fair trade to some people!

For those traveling in an RV, there are tons of free places to park and camp all around the country. Use iOverlander to find the best spots.  

To help you keep your food costs in check, here are a few quick tips:

1. Cook your own meals as often as possible – If you can bring a cooler in your vehicle, you can pack groceries instead of eating out all the time. And if you bring some containers, you can store leftovers in the car too, allowing you to cook larger meals at dinner that you can eat the next day for lunch.

2. Stay in accommodation with a kitchen – If you want to cook, you’ll need a kitchen. Prioritize accommodation like Couchsurfing, Airbnb, and hostels as those will typically provide kitchen access so you can cook your meals.

3. Shop cheap – Avoid the pricier grocery stores like Whole Foods when it comes to getting groceries and stick to budget places like Walmart. It’s not glamorous, but it will be cheap!

4. Find cheap restaurants – When you want to eat out but don’t want to break the bank, use Yelp, ask people on websites like Couchsurfing, or inquire at the desks at hostels for suggestions. Locals have the best tips and insights when it comes to where to eat so they can point you in the right direction. Simply cook, limit your eating out, and be happy!

1. Get a National Parks pass — For $80, you can purchase an annual National Parks and Federal Lands ‘America the Beautiful’ pass that provides access to all 63 national parks (as well as any other recreation areas administered by the National Park Service). In total, you can visit more than 2,000 federal recreation sites with the same pass. At $20-35 USD per visit, seeing five during your trip makes the pass a money saver. When you visit your first park, simply buy the pass and you’re good to go. There’s no need to order it in advance.

The U.S. national park system is amazing and really highlights the diversity of landscapes in the country. You can’t travel across the country without stopping at many of the national parks, especially as you get out west.

2. City tourism cards — City tourism cards allow you to see a large number of attractions (and often include free public transportation) for one price, usually $75-100 USD. They provide free access to museums, reduced access to attractions, and restaurant discounts. Be sure to look into them if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, as they generally will save you money. They can be purchased at tourism information centers or online before you go.

3. Free museums and events — Inquire at tourism centers, use Google, or ask hotel or hostel staff for information about free events and museums. Many museums offer occasional free or discounted admission throughout the week. There are always tons of free activities in any city in the United States.

4. Free walking tours and city greeter programs — Many cities in the US have free walking tours or city greeter programs that pair you with a local guide who can give you a brief tour. Whenever I visit a new city, I start my trip off with one of these tours. They show you the lay of the land, introduce you to the main sights, and give you access to an expert local guide that can answer all your questions.

Check in with the local tourism office when you arrive to see what programs and tours are available.

For greeter programs, you’ll need to sign-up in advance before your visit. It’s good to give about 2 weeks’ notice as they have to find someone to take you around. Google “(city name) greeter program” to find them as some are run independently of the city tourism board so might not be listed on their website.

Here are your options when it comes to traveling across the country:

1. Hitchhike — This isn’t something I did on my trip, as I had a car, but it’s very doable (and relatively safe). Here’s a post by my friend Matt who hitchhiked across the United States explaining how to do so and come out alive (don’t worry, it’s safer than you think)..

For more hitchhiking tips, use Hitchwiki .

2. Rideshare — Taking on riders can be a way to lower your costs. On my first trip across the U.S., I offered rides to people I met in hostels. On this trip, I had friends and readers join me along the way. You can post ads on Craigslist and Gumtree and at hostels to find riders. This not only makes the trip more enjoyable but lowers your gas costs. Or if you are a rider, you can use the same services to find rides to get you places.

3. Buy a car — If you don’t have a car or don’t want to rent one, you can buy cheap used cars from car dealers or owners on Craigslist. There are lots of listings, and you can resell the car at the end of your trip to recoup some of your initial purchase cost. While this is easy in other countries, it’s hard to do in the United States, so remember a couple of key points:

• You’ll need a US address for registration documents to get sent to. I would use a hostel or hotel address and then set up a forwarding address with the Post Office.
• You’ll have to buy car insurance, which can greatly add to the costs of your trip.

Another option is to use a car relocation service. This is when you take someone’s car and drive it across the country. You are usually paid, and gas is covered. The downside is you don’t often have a lot of leeway on timing, so you might not have much time to stop and sightsee along the way. Car relocation options are also usually limited. Two companies worth checking out are Transfercar and Hit the Road .

If you just want to rent a car, use Discover Cars .

4. Use gas apps & membership programs – Install GasBuddy , an app that finds the cheapest gas prices near you. It is a must. If you’re going on a longer road trip, sign up for the monthly program; it costs $9.99 but will save you up to 40 cents a gallon.

Also, sign up for every gas loyalty program you can, so as to maximize points and discounts. Moreover, if you get a brand’s credit card, your first 50 gallons usually come with 30 cents off per gallon.

You should also consider getting a Costco membership for cheap gas. They have around 574 stores around the US so you’ll be able to earn the cost of a membership back by saving money on both gas and food.

5. Download parking apps – Parking costs add up — especially in cities. Use apps like BestParking and Parker to find spots and compare prices.

6. Take the bus – If driving is entirely out of the question, you can find bus tickets for as little as $1 USD from Megabus. Greyhound and Flixbus also have cheap rides all around the US. Rides under five hours are usually around $20 USD if you book early, and overnight rides usually cost $50-100. You can save big if you book in advance (often upwards of 75%!).

Don’t let the United States fool you! A road trip across the United States is a fun way to see a lot of diverse landscapes, experience different cultures, and meet interesting people. Traveling America isn’t very expensive once you are outside the big cities and you can easily travel the country on a budget by using the advice in this article.

Book Your Trip to the USA: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on the US for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Travel the U.S. for $30 A Day: The Ultimate Budget USA Road Trip

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

Budgeting for a road trip can be difficult. Food, gas, parking, groceries, restaurants, much-needed coffee stops, all adds up. Especially if you’re planning to take on a route as large as the entire United States. But traveling in a van is the perfect way to do a budget USA road trip.

We traveled the United States for three months in our converted camper van Phoebe. She’s nothing fancy–Just a 1994 Dodge Ram Van that we laboriously dismantled and converted one summer. She has a massive bed, kitchenette, and a table with a u-shaped bench. We set out to explore America’s National Parks and also to sample all the best (& underrated) American food .

& we spent more than we had originally planned.

I recorded every single transaction. From the $0.44 water refills to the $75 gas tank fill-ups so that you can have an educated guess on your own cross-country road trip expenses.

& so that you can understand exactly what van life costs before you make the leap and begin converting your own vehicle. Because there are tons of benefits to van life but it may not be as cheap as you think.

The Ultimate Budget USA Road Trip

Let’s talk logistics.

Where are you headed? Whether your planning to live in your van full time & just want a look at the average expenses of van life or you’re planning an epic cross-country road trip & want to know how much to have in the bank before you go…this post will shed some light on the subject.

But be aware that traveling in cities tends to be more expensive than exploring the more rural areas of the USA. We did a bit of both on this trip.

Best Way to Travel America on a Budget? Van life.

Okay. I might be biased. But van life has changed the road trip game. It’s made it cheaper. More comfortable. & helped me to travel more off-the-beaten-path. But van life isn’t always as glamorous as it’s made out to be. & if you’re on the fence you should test out van/RV travel before you invest in your own rig.

My favorite RV rental company is RVShare. They have rentals all over the U.S. & are a very affordable option ( Van rentals can be so overpriced ). Another perk…they are locally owned RVs which means they are cozier than a generic rental and you’re supporting small businesses.

3-Month USA Road Trip

This specific road trip budget breakdown is from our 3-month USA road trip where we visited every single National Park in the U.S.

If you’re looking for route specifics be sure to check out my blog post on our Great American Foodie Road Trip where I talk about every single place we ate on the road or our Ultimate USA National Park Road Trip Route outlining how we hit every single national park in the United States.

If you want access to our massive master Google Map with 400+ destinations –food stops, roadside attractions, state parks, etc. you can sign up for my email list below & I’ll send you a copy. You won’t even need to plan for your next cross-country road trip.

Our USA Road Trip Budget

We’ve been full-time traveling on a budget for quite some time now. I actually wrote a blog post all about how we traveled the world on a budget of $50 a day . But the U.S. is an expensive place to travel. & we wanted to get the full American Foodie Road Trip experience which meant we would be eating many meals in restaurants.

Our goal for the cross country road was to spend around $50 a day for the both of us.

Spoiler: We missed our mark a little bit. It was a lofty goal. Considering we drove over 18,000 in a vehicle that only got 13ish miles to the gallon.

But honestly, we were pretty damn close. & considering all the amazing food we got to try along the way…100% worth it.

What We Actually Spent on Our Cross Country Road Trip

Let’s break it down item by item. This is where our money went on our 3-month USA road trip.

That comes to a grand total of around $29 per person. About $720 over our total intended budget.

Food & gas were the bulk of our spending since we spent most of our free time exploring National Parks or people-watching in cities.

How We Saved Money on Our Cross Country Road Trip

First, let’s talk about the things we did well.

We NEVER stopped for coffee on the road . Which was painfully difficult sometimes. But I did the calculations and we saved around $500 simply by using our French press every morning instead of hitting the coffee stands.

We cooked the majority of our meals ( despite what our restaurant costs say ) inside the van . A major perk of van living. Groceries are just so much cheaper than eating out.

We used GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas available. When you’re living life on the road gas is a major expense. Especially when your “home” is a gas-guzzling 13mpg (if you’re lucky) tank. We saved on average $10 a fill-up just by choosing gas strategically.

We got a great credit card. Specifically, with gas rewards. We use the Bank of America card Cash Rewards Card and it gave us 3% cashback on gas. Which ended up being about $70 in earnings!

We got the A merica the Beautiful Pass. For $80 it gives you access to every single National Park and Monument in the United States. If you plan on visiting even just 3 of the major national parks it’s worth the money.

We also refused to pay for parking unless ABSOLUTELY necessary and Stealth camped all across the United States. If you’re looking for tips on Stealth Camping you’ll find them here.

& now let’s look at the ways you can spend less money on your road trip across America.

Tips For Spending Less on your Budget-Friendly USA Road Trip

We did a fairly good job at keeping our costs low. But there are a few things we could have done differently on our cross-country road trip to save us even more money!

1. Pick Grocery Stores Strategically

We just shopped wherever was convenient. We didn’t bother learning the budget chains across America & definitely spent more money at fancy organic places like Sprouts and Publix.

2. Eat Out Less Often

Obviously, our restaurant costs were huge. If you want to save more money on the road just cook more meals inside the van. It has a kitchen after all!!

I don’t regret spending the money we did on food across America because I discovered my love for Southern Food. Seriously. If you splurge anywhere…make it the south.

3. Cut out Alcohol

You don’t see it on the budget breakdown but hidden in those grocery and restaurant bills are copious amounts of local beer and cocktails. Post-hiking beers, nightcaps, and brewery stops after a long day of driving. We spent about $775 on alcohol. Pretty much the exact amount we went over-budget.

Cut out ( or cut down ) on alcohol consumption to save a considerable chunk of change.

Planning your budget for a USA road trip is difficult without seeing a budget-breakdown from other travelers. We spent $60 a day or $30 per person per day on our cross-country road trip.

Let me know in the comments if you managed to spend more or less on your last road trip!!

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Further Reading...

10 Luxury Camper Van Accessories that Every Vanlifer *NEEDS*

High Rock Lookout: Washington’s Best Sunrise Hike (Free Camping tips)

10 Benefits of Van Life & Why It’s So Popular

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27 Budget Tips To Save Up On Your USA Road Trip

Traveling in the United States can be very expensive and you might end up changing your plan when you run out of your budget. Well, I can tell you it’s not gonna be cheap for sure but if you’re smart enough and you don’t mind putting yourself out of your comfort zone, you can do it for a very reasonable cost.

We’ve done our US road trip recently. Before/during the trip we wanted to find out the best saving tips and share all the ideas with other fellow travelers out there!

Table of contents

Cost of our 25-day long usa road trip, a. car rental – discount websites, b. usaa.com – discount (social security n. required), car insurance – if possible avoid the rental company, rental summary / other rental fees, turo – rent a car from people nearby, buying a car, travel in group/rideshare, gas – look for cheaper stations, parking – look for free parking, navigation – use your smartphone, toll roads – check the list, aaa membership, get some inexpensive car gear, build caravan by yourself, get some useful travel gadgets, go camping (cheapest option + it’s a lot of fun), stay in cheap motels, hotel tonight – last minute hotel deals, hostels – shared dorm rooms, airbnb.com – get an apartment or room, free hosting – couchsurfing, food – cook at your campsite, grocery discount cards, national parks fees – get annual pass, city tourism fees – get city pass, recommended books (plan your routes), keep track of your spendings with apps.

So you wonder, how much would it cost to travel across America? Here is our cost:

• CAR RENTAL – $950 (we did not reach the monthly discount)
• GAS – $750
• CAMPING – $350 
• FOOD – $550 (we cooked a lot)
• FEES (parking & entrances) – $200
• OTHER (camping gear, car gear, etc.) – $250
• TOTAL: $3050 (2 people)
• TOTAL per PERSON: $1525
• DAILY TOTAL: $60/person

* *NOTE: these prices apply to our costs in 2015, so the prices now can differ.

Renting a car in the United States

IMPORTANT NOTE:   Before we start, I have to point this out!!!  Make sure you bring your credit/debit card with a sufficient amount of funds! You might be able to pay cash for your rental but for security (deposit) reasons they always require valid credit/debit card!

Some of the rental companies don’t accept debit cards , so I strongly suggest checking it out before you make a reservation!

Getting a car trough rental company is usually very expensive, especially when you’re buying full insurance,  returning back in a  different location or under age of 25 . That’s why you should definitely look for some websites with discount offers.

NOTE: This is not a 100% option according to online ratings / but worth to risk!

You can easily find rental websites that compare the prices for you and when you book your car through them, you can get pretty cool discounts and save up to 200 – 500 USD . Usually, you’ll get booking only with basic insurance and the total cost can be much higher (but you can ensure the car with cheaper insurance companies).

For example   hotwire.com  or   rentalcars.com (booking.com partner)

HOT Tip –  Register on  USAA , a website for military members and their families where you can get discounts without ever being somehow involved, not even being US citizen.

Example: You can rent an intermediate car/month / approx. 600 USD

While registering you’ll need basic info, social security number  and for the question about military members be honest you answer “none”. This will allow you to avoid paying fees for additional driver, under 25 years and it gives you also a discount of the total rental price. After you’re done with registration go for “car rental discounts” and from there you can choose from 4 different rental companies (for example Hertz ). When you get there have this document https://images.hertz.com/pdfs/USAA_FAQ.pdf ready, in case they will try to charge some extra fees.

NOTE: Obtaining a social security number might be a problem for noncitizens! You need to have a work permit (work visa) in USA. Find more information here .

Rental companies charge very high prices for full insurance which you can avoid by ensuring your car by an external company, for example, insuremyrentalcar.com .

For example,  You pay only 30USD for a period of a maximum of 1 month!

Make sure you check out policies of your rental car provider! You might not be able to rent by an external company. 

So let’s see what fees you should keep in mind if you would like to estimate your price for rental:

• Car Rental Price – final price of the vehicle.
• Damage Waiver – Insurance of rented vehicle / this is obligatory!
• Liability Protection – Insurance of other vehicles and people injured in an accident caused by you. Make sure that bodily injury liability is also included.    Check out your travel insurance, it might be included (cheaper).
• Personal Accident Insurance – Insurance of you and people in the car. Should be part of your travel insurance.
• Side Road Assistance – You can choose to add this to your insurance. It covers all expenses of assistance, such as, flat tire, lookout, towing, fuel delivery, winching service, etc.
• Young Drive Fee (21-24) – If you have a chance, rent car on somebody who is at least 25 years old. Fee can vary from 10 – 25 USD per day.
• Additional Driver Fee – an additional driver can cost you 10 – 25 USD per day. Insurance doesn’t cover for the driver who’s not added on the contract.
• Airport Rental Fee – some companies charge if you rent straight from the airport. Try to avoid that!
• Different Location Return Fee – almost every company charges you returning fee. They are some exceptions between some locations, such as LA – Las Vegas.

GET 25USD discount on your first rental with our link

This popular concept of Airbnb is now available for cars as well! On websites like getaround.com and turo.com ,  you can rent car for your road trip from people (owners). It’s definitely more affordable and more attractive when it comes to the choice. Imagine, road trippin’ in Mini Cooper, BMW, or Tesla car? Yes! Option are pretty creative and unique.

Buying a car is can be a  very economical option when you’re good in the industry and you can recognize what’s a good deal or not. Buying a used car involves risks, such as repairs, scams but on the other side, you might make money out of it. If you buy cheaper than you sell, you’re the winner! One of the best websites for this purpose is craigslist.com .

Getting a car involves some necessary paperwork that can take quite some time! Read more details about this topic on tripadvisor .

This is pretty straight forward! Best way is to split most of the expenses when you travel in a group of (2-4). If you can’t find anybody, don’t worry there are websites where you can find other fellow solo travelers who you can share ride with. Check out couchsurfing.com , ridester.com or carpoolworld.com .

When road tripping in the US, you will do thousands of kilometers and you might end up spending 600 USD just on the gas! We did 8000 kms, for example. We noticed quite big differences between the prices in states. There might be a 1$ / per gallon just within the state and $2 differences between different states.

We recommend planning your trip according to  gas price map  which is very detailed and helpful. You can also get an app for your smartphone!

TIP: some of the gas stations give a better price for gas when you pay by CASH, it’s very individual and again, depends on the state! But I definitely saw it in California. Watch out for the signs on price stands in front.

Parking in national parks is usually included in the entrance fee or in some small cities is for FREE but in bigger cities, it can be more complicated and much more expensive.

Here are a few tips:

• Wallmart is in most cases free + WIFI. Note that not every single Wallmart parking lot allows you to park, so it might be illegal! Check out parking locator where you can find the exact information about this topic.
• Residential areas are for FREE (sometimes depending on hours)
• Overnight RV / camping parking (affordable)
• WATCH OUT FOR NO PARKING SIGN!

Don’t pay for GPS! Get free apps into your smartphone or buy a map for 6 bucks (like we did).

You can also get GPS in the shop with a good returning policy ! For example in Wallmart, where you can buy your navigation, use it for few weeks and then return it! See point 6. of this article for more information.

Have your “ paper map backup ” ready as well! Some of the remote places in USA won’t have any signal coverage and you might end up lost in the middle of nowhere!

Some of the toll roads can surprise in unexpected locations and prices might also very high. Make sure you always carry some cash in your car to avoid any fines! Check out this full list of toll roads in the USA .

AAA is another interesting website that can be very useful in North America! It’s American Automobile Association which has over 50 million members. It’s a non-profit organization offering road services to their members in all over the United States and Canada.

If you visit their office they can provide you with FREE maps, guidebooks or routing maps. You can also take advantage of great discounts for accommodation, food and road assistance.

If you’re from the US or you’re planning to stay longer, there are options for building your own caravan from the van! You can get cheap/good/spacious vans in the USA quite easily.

Vandogtraveller sells an amazing ebook (276 pages) on his website for only 10 bucks which guides you through the whole process of conversion. His story is really cool, check out his website vandogtraveller.com .

You would be surprised how helpful could be simple travel gadgets for backpacking when it comes to road-tripping.

Here is the full list of our best travel gadgets but let me point out some of my favorite which you will definitely appreciate on your road trip:

• Compressing packing cubes – helps you organize your clothes
• Supporting travel pillows – get comfort on a long-drive day
• Portable travel hammocks – easy to attach in parks and takes almost no space

Campsites in the United States are usually in great condition and come with BBQ grill, fire pits, showers, restrooms, wifi access, etc. Price is depending on location, season and facilities.

FREE camping sites you can find on  freecampsites.net  or you can camp basically anywhere in “National Forest”. BLM sites are also sometimes for FREE.

Paid camping sites  have usually more facilities and they are much more affordable than motels. (Costs is between 10 USD – 40 USD). Most of the campsites are in google maps and you can find reviews or the official website.

Camp in my garden  is another cool site where you can find camp spots in people’s backyard for only a couple of bucks. Check out here . These options can be actually pretty fancy and friendly experience since some of the people have really nice gardens.

Motels are almost on every corner in the US. They are not a very economical option but it’s definitely not expensive when you travel in a group of 4 people.

One of the most popular motel budget networks is “Motel 6”   or “ Super 8 ” hotels network. which offers rooms for 4 people between (40 – 70 USD). These rooms usually have desk, small TV, small fridge, AC, closet etc. nothing too special but more than for enough for travelers/backpackers.

Tip: If you travel in a group of 2.. you can go and say that room is for one person only, then you end up paying less, and of course more people can stay.

Tip: if there is options to collect hotel points, definitely go for it. It can save you money as well, just apply for a hotel credit card. You can get straight away 70,000 points when you sign-up and those can cover a couple of nights for you.

USE CODE “VVINCEJ” to get your 25USD discount (minimum spent 150USD)

The way it works is by offering vacant rooms of different hotels that didn’t manage to get their rooms fully booked in time so they offer them on the app for a steep discount just to fill them up. Because of the nature of the app, you can’t book the rooms too far in advance (The maximum is 1 week) so you cannot really rely on it but if you are flexible with your accommodation options then this might be the perfect option for you.

For example check OUR ARTICLEs about: Best Hostels in New York City Best Hostels in San Francisco Best hostels in Miami Beach

In bigger cities, you can find hostels and take advantage of shared (dorm) rooms which can some costs $15 / night. 

In case you’re a picky person and you wanna make sure your place meets your requirements/need, make sure you visit tripadvisor.com to read reviews! You can find every single hotel/hostel there with a lot of customer reviews.

USE THIS LINK TO GET $20 OFF ON YOUR FIRST STAY!

Airbnb is an amazing website where you easily find cheaper accommodation in somebody’s house, flat or kind of private hotels or hostels. There are plenty of options and you can find accommodation as low as $20-40 per night for single room or bed in a dorm room.

It’s becoming a very popular option these days, not just in USA. They have an amazing interactive search/filtering system which helps a lot to find exactly what you’re looking for. 

Yes, you can also sleep for FREE! One of the most popular websites offering hosting is couchsurfing.com where you can create your profile and send requests to random people all around the world. It’s all based on references from other so-called couch surfers!

You know what they say, travel often & eat well! The food you can find on every corner and basically everything that you wish! But sometimes it might kick-off your budget if you don’t eat smart.

Get good food from restaurants and do not try to save up on food but we recommend some of the tips:

• FAST foods are everywhere (not the most economical option)
• get some snacks and breakfast stuff from cheap stores like dollar tree .
• do your shopping in Wallmart (cheaper prices)
• get the member cards
• cook at your camping site! here are some camping recipes !
• get your cooking tools (for one-time use) from dollar tree or Wallmart.
• be creative! 😉

When you camp during your whole trip and you eat in camp you can squeeze your budget to ( $10 / day ).

Most of the big supermarket chains have free loyalty cards that give you massive discounts every time you purchase at their store. The reason they do this is that by you having a loyalty card they can collect data on your purchases which helps them run their business more efficiently. In exchange for giving them some data on consumer behavior, you are rewarded with pretty neat discounts.

When you are traveling on a budget this is the perfect opportunity to save loads of money on your basic necessities. As you know most of your basic expenses fall into 3 categories: logistics, accommodation, and food. And if you minimize the expenses in the food column then you are on a good path to make your trip budget-friendly. You should definitely make use of this hack!

If you’re planning to visit more than 4 national parks you should definitely get annual pass which cost only $80 per vehicle and it allows you to visit 90% of the parks in US.

City Pass  cards can be really handy while road tripping in USA, especially if you’re planning a lot of sightseeing. They usually contain various city attractions and public transport and helps you to save up to $100 sometimes.

You can also get plenty of information at your hotel’s reception desk and they sometimes give away various discounts (especially in Las Vegas).

Check the video from our USA road trip or our travel quotes for some inspiration!

I hope you’ve found great tips in this article and you learned how to save money on the USA road trip! Make sure you double-check tips you find here (before you make booking or payment) just because you never know when it can change.

We simply can’t say everything will work 100%. We’re continuously trying to update this article to keep it fresh and information up to date but we don’t receive any updates from companies, orgs or websites mentioned above!

Feel FREE to contact us if you have any questions or advice on what to add to the article. Simply post a comment at the end of the article.

We would be super happy if you share these amazing USA road trip tips with your friends on social media. Thank you 🙂

Disclaimer: This article about USA road trip tips contains various affiliate links. When a purchase is made via those links we might earn a commission from the sale. This little income helps us to run our website Traveling Lifestyle and keep publishing more content such as this article.

Great article! So around how much did you end up spending those 20 days?

Hi, thanks for the question. I think it was around 1500USD per person, we were 2.

Awesome tips . Thanks.

thank you Cheryl.. 😉

What is that place in your video with white sand? I would like to see that! Amazing 😊

it’s great salt lake desert in Utah, really cool thing to see! 🙂

Hi Guys, great article- I have few questiongs and wondered if you had any insight? – For the USAA you said one would need social insurance nr- is there a way to go around this? (since neither of us is a US citizen) – Do you think October is still ok for road tripping and camping in the northern states (minesotta, montana washington etc) – Do you think that a small campervan might be better than tent? (having to build it up every night etc)- And if we had a small campervan, do you think we could just part at the wallmart parking and stay there? Isnt this illegal in the US?

1. You don’t have to US citizen to get SSN but you need working permit (work visa) to get it, it’s probably not possible to go around. Maybe through some other person who can register and get it for you! 2. For example: Montana (Yellowstone) was quite cold already in September during the night… depends also on quality of sleeping bags etc… but I think it’s still doable! 3. There is locator for Wallmart parking, there are plenty of places where you can do it! Check our locators http://www.walmartlocator.com/rv-parking-at-walmart/

Enjoy your trip!

i read so many articles abt road trips in USA but this one is the most usuful to me! Really good job guys 🙂 Im doing my trip this year so when i will be back with new tips im gonna share them here too

oh and i found your page during looking up for some cool videos on youtube.

thank you Pati! Enjoy your trip… it would be amazing if you could pass some more tips for US road trip!

Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and also the rest of the site is extremely good.

It is good to hear Dennis… more articles are coming… Thanks

These are truly great saving tips! I almost book the car for crazy money, but then I found you tips for renting and saved 500 bucks straight away. We’re planning our trip very soon, hopefully it’s not gonna be too cold for camping these days.

Thanks for sharing… this is definitely ALL in article with the most useful budget tips..

thanks Walt! Enjoy your road trip in USA 😉

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The Ultimate Guide to USA Road Trip

Although it’s tempting to head overseas every time you get a bit of vacation time, taking a road trip around America can be just as eye-opening and exciting! A USA road trip can help you see parts of the country you may not have considered visiting before and will give you a better understanding and appreciation of the beauty of landscapes within the United States. 

*This post may contain affiliate links, as a result, we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) on any bookings/purchases you make through the links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full disclosure

Don’t leave your home without Travel Insurance! From the US?  We recommend  Allianz Travel Insurance,  a world leader in travel protection and  our trusted Travel Insurance partner  for the last 5 years. Allianz offers  Single Trip and Annual Travel Insurance Policies  that include medical coverage, trip cancellation, rental car insurance and more! (Benefits vary by state and by plan, so read your policy carefully!)  Not a US resident?  Consider  Safety Wing ,  a  budget friendly travel insurance provider  with travel insurance plans for Digital Nomads and travelers from all around the world

Renting a vehicle for a drive across America (or using your own) and heading out to discover what many consider to be their own backyard can be just as fun as heading to exotic locations. 

A cross country road trip is the perfect holiday option when flights are expensive or if you are looking for a more eco-conscious way to explore the country. Whether you only have a few days or want to take a 2-week road trip, USA destinations can really surprise you! There are plenty of road trip ideas and itineraries to explore.

Check out our latest Road Trip

Traveling Soon?  Here is a list of our favourite travel providers and accessories to help get you ready for your upcoming trip! Book Your Accommodation HERE Search for Great Tours HERE Get a Car Rental HERE Buy Travel Insurance HERE See our Favourite Camera Bag HERE Grab a Reusable Water Bottle HERE or a Filtration Straw HERE Order an eSim HERE

Best 2 Week Road Trip – USA Routes

You don’t need to cram a whole 48-state road trip into 2 weeks. These 2 week road trip ideas highlight the best of different parts of the USA.   

West Coast America Road Trip: California, Highway 101

This west coast USA road trip is definitely a classic road trip option as the Californian highway is peppered with lovely towns with views of the Pacific Coast. Typically planning a California 2 week road trip, USA, along Highway 101 calls for driving from San Francisco to San Diego (or the reverse) and has several stops along the way.

Of course, it’s your 2 week US road trip so hit whatever stops interest you, but here are a few destinations suggestions for your west coast of USA road trip.

• Start your road trip adventures in San Francisco and take a tour of the city highlights along with a stop at Alcatraz . 
• Head to Santa Cruz and stop at the amusement park, Beach Boardwalk . 
• Don’t miss Monterey , which has boutiques, bars, and restaurants in converted factories. The area also has Monterey Bay Aquarium , which is actively involved in conservation efforts. 
• Next, the coast highway will take you to Big Sur a mountainous area, national park, and one of the most famed places on a 2 week road trip across America. Slightly below is San Simeon , where you can view migrating elephant seals. 
• Pismo Beach is known for its wineries and beaches, and Monarchs migrate south to this area in the cooler weather. 
• See the architecture in Santa Barbara , California.
• Include Malibu in your USA road trip planner to see the beach.
• Experience Hollywood in Los Angeles
• Finish your trip at the galleries and museums in San Diego.

A California Highway 1 USA road trip, west coast, offers a huge variety of experiences . There really is a little something for everyone along this route. If you like Pacific coast scenes, this is the best US road trip for you.

READ NEXT: ULTIMATE WEST COAST ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Chicago to Los Angeles Road Trip, Route 66

This stretch is a historic route and one of the most famous trips around America. Route 66 deserves a try if you want to drive part way across the country on a 2 week cross country RV trip.

• Start your USA road trip planning in Chicago (or you could end here if you choose). It allows you to visit one of the many museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago . 
• Next on your US trip head to see the arch in St. Louis
• Drive through the heartlands of Oklahoma with stops in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City, both of which are known for their architecture. 
• Route 66 also passes through the upper tip of Texas , which takes you through Amarillo and also through Jericho Gap , where many cars once got stranded in the mud on old Route 66 on their road trips of America. 
• The beautiful views and varied landscapes of the Midwest continue through New Mexico (be sure to stop in Albuquerque and Santa Fe , New Mexico).
• Travel America via Route 66 to Arizona, with Flagstaff and Sedona taking center stage as points along the two week road trip, USA.
• Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard are good points to visit while you are in Los Angeles, California. 

Route 66 is one of the most iconic road trips in the US and often listed as one of the best US road trips. If you have more time then consider extending your trip into a 3 week road trip across America. However, if you do extend ensure you consider the additional cost to drive across country.

East Coast Road Trip: New York City to Miami, Route 95

An east coast USA road trip has a lot to do, and being able to take it at your own pace is a good way to go . Add the following places to your US road trip planner to make the most of your America trip.

• Start your America road trips in New York City, where you can visit the Statue of Liberty , attend a Broadway show, or hit all the major sites in New York with a guided tour . 
• From there, head south through Baltimore (which is worth a stop!) 
• Continue down to the nation’s capital of Washington, DC, where you can view many of the sites on a “hop on hop off” bus tour . 
• This route will also take you through the beautiful states of Virginia (possibly stop in Richmond ) and North Carolina before you hit Savannah on your roadtrip. America is full of history and lovely architecture in this area.
• Once you hit Florida , you will head through Jacksonville , West Palm Beach , and Fort Lauderdale.
• If you want to veer off of Route 95 just a bit, you can visit the oldest town in the US, which is St. Augustine. It’s filled with museums, lovely buildings, and a Spanish fort from the 1500s.
• Once you end your journey in Miami , you can head to South Beach, visit the Art Deco district, or take an airboat ride to view alligators in their natural habitat.

If you are an American road trip planner who wants a taste of a little bit of everything or if you are history buff then you might consider Route 95 one of the best road trips in USA.

This 2 week road trip across America takes you between two of the nation’s biggest cities , gives you a chance to explore the past, and will win you over with the charm of the people you meet along the way. However, if you are going to be indulging in the big cities ensure you include that in your road trip USA budget.

Colorado Road Trip

If you want to experience the beauty of inland United States, Colorado definitely delivers. For this route, consider starting your road trip USA planning in Denver

• Visit the Lookout Mountain and take a tour of the Rocky Mountains . 
• S pend a day in Boulder and take a tour of Rocky Mountain National Park and experience the trails. 
• The Glenwood Springs area offers some of the most gorgeous views of any American road trips, so have your camera ready! 
• Grand Junction is next, which is home to parks, trails, and the Colorado National Monument . 
• You can also stop in Ouray , which has lots of hiking options and then be sure to stop for a day in Mesa Verde National Park , which is full of history from the Ancestral Pueblo people.
• Other stops along the way include Buena Vista – home of the Rio Grande National Park Forest – and Colorado Springs – where you can take a segway tour of the Garden of the Gods .

We think this is one of the USA best road trips for getting close to natural destinations and exploring national parks. If you are self-contained and stay in free camping spots along the way you can really reduce your road trip across America cost too.

READ NEXT: OUR ULTIMATE COLORADO ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Southern USA Road Trip: Savannah to San Diego

Heading from coast to coast can be one of the USA best road trips as you get a glimpse of what each state offers.

• Start your road trip routes in Savannah , Georgia, a quintessential southern town with beautiful architecture and trees dripping with Spanish moss. 
• Then stop Atlanta for a 1.5-hour highlight tour of this capital city .
• The route also passes through popular US towns such as Birmingham , Alabama ; Jackson , Mississippi ; and Shreveport , Louisiana . These towns all showcase America’s southern history and sites that were significant in the civil rights movement. 
• Then you will arrive in Dallas , Texas , where you can take a tour to learn about this historic city .
• Continue on to El, Paso, Texas on your road trip USA before you get to beautiful Tuscon, Arizona , where you can add a bit of adventure to your trip by exploring history on a scavenger hunt .
• End your trip in San Diego by exploring the historic old town on a narrated trolley tour .

Road trip routes through the Southern United States will give you a taste of Southern charm and will give you a chance to learn about the civil rights movement – exactly where it took place. However, keep in mind that big-city travel can really cut into your cross country road trip cost so be wary of your spending there if you are trying to keep your road trip America cost low. 

Road Trip Across America: Cost Considerations

If you have ever considered a road trip across America, you’ll have asked yourself “how much does it cost to drive cross country?” and considered the cross country road trip cost .

If you don’t have a vehicle at your disposal, you’ll need to rent one. It’s practically impossible to rent a car in the US for less than $40/day and it’s really hard to find a deal for an RV for under $100/night. So this will affect your road trip America cost – but it is a necessary expense.

Add in spending on gas, accommodation, food, etc and your cost of cross country road trip will quickly add up , making what seemed like a great vacation idea seem like a rather expensive getaway.

We’re always crunching numbers and asking ourselves, “how much does it cost to travel around the world?” But we really had no idea of the road trip across America cost!

Planning for our trip, we knew that sticking to a small daily budget was going to be tough, but we wanted to see if we could keep our road trip across America cost to $125/day for two people (Spoiler: we almost did!).

How Long Does it Take to Drive Across America?

It is totally up to you to decide how long does it take to drive across the US. Each of the road trip routes we have suggested can be completed comfortably in two weeks . However, there are innumerable things to do along the way and the States is a big country so you can take as long as you like.

We met people who had been on the road for years, making their way slowly across the country. So, as you can imagine, there are no hard and fast rules to answering how long does it take to drive across America – the decision is up to you!

But how long does it take to drive across America non-stop anyway? If you weren’t in it for the journey and were just trying to zoom from coast to coast as quickly as possible, you could do it in 35-45 hours. Some people even take it a step further and take on the 48 states in 10 days route . This is a surefire way to check off tons of states on your list but we much prefer to enjoy the journey as much as the end destination.

Is it Safe to Drive Across America?

Of course! Always be sure to educate yourself on state driving laws while following the speed limit and being aware of your surroundings. There are A LOT of large transport trucks on American highways so be mindful of passing etiquette and you’ll be good to go.

Cross-Country Road Trip Cost

Here is a detailed breakdown of our cross-country road trip cost to help you answer the question of “how much does it cost to drive across the country?” It is based on our 16 days 3,000 mile/4,500kms road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles .

If you are wondering “How much does it cost to drive across the country?” the first thing to consider is the cost of driving itself. 

The cost of driving from Chicago to Los Angeles was by far the biggest percentage of our overall USA road trip budget . We knew that we had to find a cheap way to get around or this USA road trip ideas would quickly be thrown out the window.

RV Rental – $610 ($38/day)

Luckily, we were able to use some of the tips and tricks we learned while traveling around Australia to determine how much it would cost to travel across America. Then apply them to help our 2 week cross country RV trip cost in the US.  

We were lucky to have been able to find a GREAT DEAL for a campervan rental at just $39/night.

While it wasn’t as good as $1/day, the deal offered us a longer rental, giving us more time on the road , and a brand new (hence the factory relocation) massive RV for our cross-country road trip. It was big enough for 7 people, so having all the space for just 2 of us felt like absolute luxury. 

The total for 16 days/15 nights added up to $610 of our cross country road trip cost.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Van Conversion Companies That Will Build Your Van for You

Fuel – $682 ($42/day)

Gas ended up costing a bit more than we would’ve liked on our 2 week road trip across America, adding up to almost 30% of our total travel budget . With 3,000 miles (around 4,500 km) ahead of us on our 2-week road trip, we knew that we’d need around 6 tanks of gas to get us from Chicago to Los Angeles , but we underestimated the cost of gas across the country and our RV’s efficiency on the road. How much does a cross country road trip cost? More than we thought as far as fuel was concerned.

Propane = $60 ($4/day)

When budgeting for our trip, we completely forgot to account for the cost of propane . It didn’t add up to a lot, which was surprising considering that the stove, fridge, furnace, and water heater in our RV were all powered by propane. All things considered, it was a small drop in a big bucket but should be accounted for if you’re the designated road trip USA planner.

Accommodation Costs = $179 ($12/day)

Despite the fact that our RV was completely self-sustainable (it was equipped with a shower, toilet, and a full-size kitchen), we weren’t able to spend more than 2-3 days away from an RV park during our trip.

To our greatest surprise, RV parks in the US weren’t as cheap as we expected. We planned on spending $10-15/night for a powered site, but in reality, we never found anything for less than $30/night. It was yet another thing that added more than we thought to our United States road trip cost.

On nights when we didn’t need to be plugged in, we followed seasoned RV’ers advice and parked in Walmart parking lots or enjoyed being away from it all by finding an isolated spot in the middle of a forest road just off of our trip routes.

Food Costs = $339 ($21/day)

To keep our cross country road trip cost down, we choose not to eat out on this trip and cooked most of our meals in the RV . But we didn’t deprive ourselves.

We stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies, good quality meats, and nutrient-rich ingredients. Let’s face it, American groceries tend to be a bit more expensive than what we had been used to in Costa Rica so we had to keep our food expenses in check. Since our American road trip budget didn’t allow for daily meals out, we made sure to cook up a storm and make a big deal out of our meals.

We drank wine, enjoyed some beers, and even splurged on desserts! Needless to say, we weren’t starving throughout our trip and our food and drinks expenses reflected that.

Cost of Supplies

Rv supplies – $292 ($18/day).

It cost us a few hundred dollars to stock up on various supplies for the RV . There were a few road trip accessories that we can’t believe we didn’t think of before our trip and some bedding and kitchen supplies.  

Cruise America offers to rent bedding and crockery to guests for their USA road trips but we figured that we could find much better quality stuff if we were to buy it ourselves for our 2 week cross country RV trip. And we did!

At the end of the trip, we took all the supplies up to Oksana’s parent’s house in Canada. One day, we’ll dig them up from storage in the basement and use them for another drive across America! 

How much does a road trip cost? A lot less when you already have the supplies from a previous trip!

READ NEXT: 12 ROAD TRIP ACCESSORIES THAT WILL TAKE YOUR TRIP FROM GOOD TO GREAT

Mobile Phone – $60 ($4/day)

To stay connected on the road we purchased a 30-day 10GB mobile data plan from T-Mobile for $60 . It was a pricey investment and one that we completely forgot to account for at the beginning of planning a road trip across the States, but being able to stay connected and keep up with our work while on the road warranted the expense. 

A great alternative, which we didn’t know about it at the time, would have been a Solis Hotspot . Solis Hotspot offers flexible data plans , including Unlimited Data plans for heavy users or a Pay Per Use plan at just $9/1GB ideal for someone who just wants to stay connected and keep up with emails/messages or spends hours on social media while on this trip.

Cost of Activities – $160 ($10/day)

We didn’t spend a ton of money on activities throughout our road trip across America . Cost was factored into many of the things we did. 

We splurged on a Cog Railway ticket to the top of Pikes Peak, because hiking up the mountain wasn’t an option in my condition , and our 30 foot RV wouldn’t have made it up the winding roads either. Luckily, it was a great journey and money well spent.

National Parks Pass – $80

Another expense that we incurred on the trip was the cost of a yearly National Parks Pass ($80) . We got lucky with our timing as the first week of our trip coincided with the Annual National Parks Week , which gave us access to all National Parks across the country for free.

But by the time we got down to Arizona and California, the deal was off and the steep price at the Grand Canyon and at the Joshua Tree National Park made the $80 we paid for the pass completely worth it.

We think that $80 for an annual park’s pass was very reasonable. Especially considering they were some of the highlights of our American road trip. You can pre-purchase your National Park’s Pass here .

2 Week Road Trip USA – Total Cost – $2,382 ($149/day)

Our road trip across America cost us $2,382, or an average of $149/day between both of us for a 16-day road trip across the US. 

It’s more than the $125/day that we planned on for our USA road trip budget, but we’re not kicking ourselves for it. Our estimate for how much would it cost to travel across America was a bit off, but we had a great experience despite a bit of increased road trip cost.

Looking back on our spending patterns, we realized that the biggest cost drivers were RV rental and gas . And while it might be possible to reduce the daily gas costs by staying on the road for longer and spreading the cost of gas over more days, the increase in daily RV rental would probably offset that.

READ NEXT: WE ARE GOING ON A ROAD TRIP ACROSS THE U.S.

How to Save on USA Road Trips

Looking ahead, we are not giving up on our mission to find more cost-effective ways to enjoy USA road trips . Next time, we plan USA road trips we will cover shorter distances (and save on gas in the process), look for even better relocation deals, and use some of our existing supplies to help us save on USA road trips costs. 

We are confident that we can make it happen on future road trips, USA! Of course, having now put together this handy cross country road trip cost calculator it will be helpful in estimating all travel costs ahead of the trip. 

We hope that this info can also aid you in determining how much your road trips USA may cost.

Road Trips USA – Eco-Friendly Tips

American road trips USA can take its toll on the environment but there are ways to minimize its effects. Not to mention, we tend to find that the more eco-friendly a trip is the more cost-effective trip too!

• Choose a hybrid model or energy-efficient vehicle whenever possible.
• If you’re driving your own car or an RV get it serviced prior to your USA road trip. Your RV or car rental agency will do this for you but you can still check your oil and tire pressure regularly while you’re on the road for better fuel efficiency.

• When it’s hot out roll down the windows instead of using A/C for better fuel economy.
• Choose eco-friendly accommodation options , and restaurants while on the road. Try camping or staying in national parks like we did, and shopping for food at local farmers markets.  
• Avoid single-use plastics and minimize packaging by using reusable grocery bags and collapsible containers when you need to restock food and refreshments. 
• Don’t forget to invest in a good reusable water bottle.
• Bring your friends! It’s always better to travel with a full car or RV. A five-person vehicle is so much more eco-friendly and cost-effective than traveling with a couple of two-seaters.

Your USA Best Road Trips Await

No matter what USA road trip routes you take, one thing reigns true – the United States is filled with variety! From mountainous regions and oceans to historic cities and untouched land, there are so many things to do on a two-week road trip for a variety of tastes.

We hope this article will give you the USA road trip ideas and tools you need to plan your trip. See you on the road

Do you have any questions about an American road trip? Itinerary planning? Road trip suggestions are always welcome!

Read Next: Road Trip Essentials: 50 Things To Bring On A Road Trip

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

34 thoughts on “the ultimate guide to usa road trip”.

Excellent article. I was wondering what it was costing you to travel around. I know in New Zealand I got a great deal on Toyota Space Wagon and it was very cheap. Obviously your RV was much larger and better equipped but it’s still fairly expensive it would seem.

We never paid for RV parks or stuff either, we used to sneak into hostels and use their showers (I was young and on a budget so forgive me)!

But I remember the freedom of travelling around in the car and the complete freedom was an amazing feeling. I have been wondering how a road trip across America would compare to my recent trips to Uzbekistan and other more average priced destinations. It seems that the price is comparable if there are two people travelling.

Thanks for information.

We know we didn’t get the best deal on the campervan itself, so that’s a cost we can improve on, but the rest of it really just comes down to the price of gas and groceries. That’s really where the bulk of the costs comes from. Also, if you don’t have a large RV with a toilet and/or shower and don’t need to dump gray/black water, then there is really no need to stay in RV parks in the US either. There are tons of truck stops along the highways where you can actually shower and use the toilet for free or for next to nothing. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option for us. At least not with this RV.

Your pictures are beautiful! 🙂 My dad always wanted to take RV trips, but they can definitely be more expensive than you would expect.

Julia http://www.thephillyphotoblog.com/

Thanks for sharing! I would love to do a road trip across the US in the next few years, and may look at doing an RV. My husband and I are doing a short RV trip from Darwin, Australia in a few weeks, and we learnt that it’s definitely not cheap – especially when we didn’t want to use Wicked, plus needed a guaranteed Auto. (Luckily as a travel blogger I managed to get a good discount!)

We found Apollo to be great in that part of Australia. They had some great $1/day deals from Darwin to Perth when we looked into it. If you end up doing more road trips in US or in Australia, look into Imoova – great rates on relocations in both Australia and the US.

My friend told me about how RV’ing is a huge culture down in the United States, and that it is quite common to park at Walmart parking lots overnight to reduce costs. I thought he was just kidding about that, but you have confirmed that it is not the case. I would have assumed you would get ticketed or towed if you did that.

Also, you can overnight at some large truck stops, some casinos, and our state parks and national parks are very reasonably priced, but some of the more popular ones are reserved up to a year ahead. For self-contained (no hook up)/boondock/’dispersed’ camp sites, there are many free places in the western part of the country–BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and COE (Corps of Engineers). Campendium is a good resource to find these.There are also apps where you can find pump outs and potable water to refill your tanks, without staying in an expensive RV park.

Nice post. So its cost you close to 2400US dollars for the travel. You guys really have a huge budget for the journey.

We usually travel on a budget of $100/day between both of us, which isn’t that high at all! On this trip, we went a bit over budget, which sometimes happens. Luckily, we are able to offset more expensive trips like this one with cheaper destinations and make sure that we stick to our $100/day budget on average for the year!

Sounds wonderful! We have recently retired and are really wanting to travel west, being from Illinois, but we always thought the RV would be way out of our budget. But, when you consider hotel rooms and restaurants in a car(even a fuel efficient one like ours), the RV rental makes a lot of sense. I always see them parked at Wal-Mart’s and truck stops. One question? Can we make it to Los Angeles, up the Pacific Coast Highway, Yosemite and back to Illinois on Hwy 80 in 2 weeks?

@SALLY Miller : I don’t see why not ,but here’s the thing , why would you want to put yourself in time constraints ? Taking you on that trip is about 5300 miles dividing that into 14 days is about 350 miles a day, taking you to Portland Or. and back. I’d try to take more time if it were me .

Did you ever drive and stay in the cities at that RV? Is that possible to go through Chicago by the way?

We mostly stayed in National Parks or in designated RV sites. There were some in the cities, but we did not stay in Chicago. We started our trip just outside of Chicago, so we did not need to drive through the city. But, there is no reason why you would not be able to go on the highway with your RV.

I am amazed and excited to read about your journey. It would help me a lot in planning my trips. You missed my country Pakistan. I suggest that you should explore the cultural city of Lahore and Northern Pakistan. Let me know if I can be on any help.

Thank you soooo much for posting all this detail! Our family of 4 (maybe 5 if the niece comes along) is going to do about a 3k R/T Eastern Canada trip and I can actually apply so much of your budget to our trip. And your resources. You’re legends – the both of you!

You seriously don’t know how much I appreciate this!!!

Happy to hear that you have found the post helpful. Enjoy your adventure 🙂

Thanks for all the great information, sounds like you had a wonderful time. My family and friends are planning a USA trip from Australia next September 2020. I was wondering who you went with for the hire of the RV? Thanks Tracey

We hired our RV through Cruise America. They had a great relocation deal that helped us save tons on the rental.

How did you rent your camper so cheap? Cruise America is quoting me over $5,000 for a two weeks. Thanks Nathan

We scored a great relocator deal! You have to be flexible with your dates and your route and you can find some great budget-friendly options.

For those who don’t know, a “relocator deal” is when they need the rig moved to where you are going. You are actually transporting the vehicle for them, and using it along the way.

Thanks for all the tips!

I enjoyed visiting your webiste. I rarely leave comments, but you definately deserve a thumbs up!

Just read your post on your drive across America from Chicago to LA. I have been wanting to take my family on a cross country trip for along time. I was just looking at RV rentals and chose Cruise America like the one you used. What am I missing? A standard RV rental for cross country trip both ways from GA to CA is over $4000 even with a 50% off promo code. You don’t just have to pay for the rental, you have to pay for mileage also. I was expecting a cross country budget for my family of 6 (me, my wife, and 4 daughters all under 9 years) to be around $5K-6K . The cost of RV rental would almost double that budget estimate and puts this trip out of reach. How did you rent an RV for 16 days for $600+?

Hi Will, we mention our “trick” in the article a bit. We found a great relocation deal for our road trip. These are quite common and are offered by many RV providers, but they do require you to be somewhat flexible with your dates and sometimes even destinations. A relocation deal is a special discount offered on one-way rentals when the rental company really needs to get an RV from one destination to another. Instead of hiring a worker to drive the RV to the desired destination, they put the vehicle up for rent, specifying the dates and route that needs to be taken. It’s worth looking through the deals if you have flexibility. Good luck with your search!

I just checked RV price on Cruiseamerica.com and the price is far more expensive from what You presented.

Estimate (All Prices USD $) 15 Nights $1270.05 1500 Estimated miles: $525.00 Supplemental Liability Insurance: No Charge Environment Fee: $7.00 Subtotal: $1802.05 State Tax: $108.12 Damage Deposit: $500.00 Total Charge: $2410.17

Hi Dario, yes regular price for an RV will be much higher. We got ours through a relocation deal. It was a one-way rental deal with a particular route and for specific dates. Check their relocation deals and see what they might have on offer right now. Keep in mind that you will need to stay flexible with dates and route if you want to score a deal like we did.

I have an interesting situation. Our leased car has 7000 miles left over due to lock down. So only gas cost is there. It is a suv large size very comfortable but gas consumption will be high. Your suggestion of national park tickets in membership is a good one.. thanks for your tips. If you had included Things not to miss would have been great.

Glad you found the tips useful. Hope you find a fun way to use up those extra miles on your car. Sounds like a road trip is a must!

I’m planning a cross country road trip from NY to California and need suggestions on itinerary and best sightseeing routes, places to stay etc. I found your article very informative, thanks

Such a fascinating read. It’s amazing to see a full break down of what you paid for your road trip! Thank you for the amazing tips, and info, this really helps!

Hi dear Oksana&Max I’m Dariush from Iran. I enjoyed this text.thanks for excellent description about your trip. I hope could make program to travel to the us in close future. I invite you to come Iran. I can be your free host. Hope to see you

Thank you for sharing your incredible travel journal. Amazing Mind Blowing Video.

Good you explained everything in detail it has been a great help. Thanks for sharing the Useful and Informative Blog. Wonderful travel blog along with beautiful pics. This is the amazing Travel Plan.

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How to Plan a Budget USA Road Trip: The Complete Guide

There’s nothing quite like traveling the open road. This is especially true in the United States, where national parks (state parks, too) are plentiful and magnificent. The best part about the US is how easy and budget-friendly it is to road trip.

Of course, planning a road trip depends heavily on your route. Regardless of whether you’re hitting the big cities along the way or seeking out the peace and quiet of nature, we believe driving is the best way to experience the splendor of the United States. In this post, we share our tips on how to plan a US road trip on a budget without missing out on the fun!

But there’s more to a road trip than just planning and budgeting. Check out some road trip essentials to bring with you on your adventure!

How to Save Money on Transportation

Transportation adds up to be a pretty big chunk of any road trip budget. You can thank gas for that one, but the US is actually one of the cheapest countries when talking about gas. Although gas prices aren’t too high right now, o ne of the easiest ways to save money on your US road trip is to have a fuel-efficient car .

If you own one, great! If not, it’s a good idea to research the cost of renting one. We think 35-40 mpg (miles per gallon) is a good minimum to aim for when road-tripping on a budget.

Granted, if you don’t already own a fuel-efficient car, you’ll have to do a little math here. The cost of the rental plus an estimate of gas costs vs. no rental cost and gas.

Helpful Apps for Gas

Gas is one of the key elements of a road trip. Without it, you’re going nowhere. Luckily there are apps out there that help you find the cheapest gas prices near you so you’re always getting the best bang for your buck.

GasBuddy is a handy-dandy app for finding gas prices near you. You can use the app to search for the specific gas your car needs as well as the prices. If you really want to plan ahead, you can search along your route to see all available stations and prices.

Waze is a navigation app that gives you the option to search for gas stations along your route and it’ll show you the most recently recorded prices.

Both of these apps use crowdsourcing for their information so prices shown on the apps are uploaded by fellow users;  they could be outdated or inaccurate. Both apps tell you when the price for that station was last updated.

Renting a Car

If renting a car is the route you choose then there are some things to keep in mind. Roundtrip rentals tend to be much cheaper than having a different drop-off destination than your pick-up.

For example, the above screenshot shows a 13 day rental with Houston being the pick-up and drop-off point. The screenshot below shows only 6 days with a pick-up in Houston and a drop-off in Los Angeles. But it’s at least $250 more expensive! Plus you have to pay for transport home.

If you plan on dropping off the rental car in a different location than where you picked it up, verify that your reservation price includes the one-way fee. Depending on where you’re going, the fee can differ greatly and cause some financial headache.

Make sure your reservation includes unlimited mileage. There’s nothing worse than planning a 2000 mile trip only to find out you’re rental has a 300 mile limit and you have to pay for each additional mile over.

What about rideshares?

While an Uber or Lyft would get pricey for passengers at long distances, what about advertising your journey to people you meet in a hostel or hotel? This is definitely a great option for those who love to meet fellow travelers! Offering others a ride and splitting gas/general costs would help cut down on transportation!

Budget Accommodation

From free (yes, free!) to really cheap, let’s talk about where to lay your head at night when going on a budget road trip.

A fun, free option is to Couchsurf . This service allows you to contact hosts (all over the world) and stay with them for free. In exchange for free housing, they may want to get to know you and hang out a little bit. It’s widely used in the US so if meeting locals and free housing sounds fun to you then be sure and give it a try! It’s a good way to step outside of that introvert box!

For those on a very tight budget: if comfort isn’t important then sleeping in your car is a great budget option. We think a good night’s rest in a bed would be best but there’s nothing wrong with catching some zzz’s in the car.

Make sure you’re parked in an area where you’re allowed to be overnight (24 hour rest stops, for example), crack the windows so you have airflow and make sure you take the keys out of the ignition. In some areas, you can get a ticket for leaving keys in the ignition.

If the free options aren’t your thing then you can find cheap options for your accommodation elsewhere.

Our go-to accommodation is Airbnb, especially in cities. We’ve found that most Airbnb’s are significantly cheaper and more flexible (in some ways) than hotels. Since you’ll have a car (it’s a road trip, duh) be sure to filter the Airbnb results by choosing free parking (and a kitchen!).

Be mindful of what your Airbnb check-in process is like. If you plan on a late arrival then you need to communicate with your host beforehand. If you’re new to Airbnb or a little leery then read up on the pros and cons of using Airbnb while traveling .

Campsites are very cheap places to sleep if you have the right supplies and the weather is nice. Don’t just think about camping at national parks. The US is full of RV parks and campsites (check KOA ).

If this sounds fun but you don’t have camping gear, it’s easy to get the basic supplies you need for cheap. A decent 2 person tent can be as low as $20 and if you don’t already have sleeping bags, then blankets from home (always bring extra) will suffice. For added comfort, bring a thick yoga mat or blow up mattress to lie on.

If none of the above have solved your budget trip woes there’s always Motel 6 or Super 8! These are budget-friendly hotels and you’ll find them everywhere while road tripping across the US. Motel 6 and Super 8 are well-known hotel chains in the States, but always be on the lookout for the unknown cheap accommodation.

For example, on a road trip through New Mexico and Colorado, we found a last-minute hotel on Booking.com in Raton, New Mexico. While we didn’t do much other than sleep in Raton, the accommodation was perfect for our budget and a great place to begin driving the next day.

National Parks

One of the biggest perks of a road trip in the US?

National parks!

We are spoiled in the US, especially the western half, with a lot of natural beauty. There are more than 60 national parks in the United States! From hiking, camping, outdoor sports, stargazing, you can find a ton of things to keep you entertained in nature.

If your road trip is just a few days or a few weeks, we hope you can stop by at least one national park. In addition to being very budget-friendly, you’ll find it’s one of the most memorable stops on your trip!

For those road-tripping the southwest, you might want to look into Big Bend National Park . We feel it doesn’t get as much talk as it should, which is probably why we found it to be so peaceful compared to other parks. It’s an accredited dark sky park (great for stargazing) and offers nature lovers some hot desert, cooler mountains, and the Rio Grande.

Don’t forget about state parks too. There are many of these as well and some are just as beautiful (and less crowded) than national parks!

Limit Time in Major Cities and Use Attraction Passes

Major cities mean more money.

But let’s be real. A road trip across the Midwest isn’t complete without a stop in Chicago .

Even though bigger cities come with a bigger price tag (food, housing, things to do), some of America’s best attractions can be found there. Whether it’s Chicago or New York , a good place to start your budget and itinerary is with Go City cards . These will save you a lot of money on popular attractions and they’ll give you a good idea of how long you need to spend in town.

As we mentioned earlier when talking about accommodation, you’ll find some great deals on Airbnb when staying in large cities; the ones that come with parking are the best option!

However, in places like New York City where Airbnb is a grey area of legal/illegal (when staying under 30 days) you may want to look at other means of accommodation through booking.com or Couchsurfing. Then again, you may want to stay outside of New York City (and train in) to avoid the traffic!

How to Save on Food

Eating is one of the highlights of a road trip in the USA. From mom and pop diners on Historic Route 66 to fast food, there are so many temptations while on the road. While indulging occasionally is mandatory, eating out too often can ruin your budget.

That’s where road trip snacks come in!

Our biggest word of advice? Stock up a cooler with snacks, sandwiches and drinks before setting off. Filling up at your local grocery store will be cheaper than grabbing snacks at gas stations on the road.

If you don’t have a cooler, odds are you know someone who does (borrow it!) or you can purchase a cheap styrofoam cooler (but this is not the environmentally-friendly option).

Cook as many meals as possible. This can be difficult at times, especially if you’re staying in a hotel or don’t have access to a kitchen. But you can buy sandwich fixings, cereal and other dry goods that will serve as a good meal replacement.

If you’re craving a hot meal, then a cheap camping stove might be in order; or you can reserve campsites with grills (which you should totally do). You can find single-burner camping stoves for under $30 and double burner camping stoves for under $50.

Again, we really like Airbnbs because cooking is much easier. When searching for accommodations on Airbnb be sure to check the filter option for kitchens so you can book a place with a kitchen and basic cooking supplies. Even some shared apartments (cheap cheap!) allow guests to use the kitchen so that’s an awesome budget idea.

Summary of How to Plan a US Road Trip on a Budget

There are lots of ways to save while traveling the US on the open road. It’s a mix and match of what suits your wants and needs and how it all adds up into the road trip budget. We wish you an awesome time on the road!

Happy travels!

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Where Food Takes Us

We’re Darah and Garrett. Our life has been an adventure ever since we eloped in a pink Cadillac in Las Vegas. Now we’re running around the world, working online, and eating everything we can.

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The Ultimate Budget Road Trip Leads To 8 Incredible And Affordable Wonders Across America

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

For over 25 years Lysa Allman-Baldwin has fed her wanderlust for “everything the world has to offer” by passionately writing travel and feature articles for numerous global print and online publications. A Digital Nomad, Lysa is also a professional speaker, workshop facilitator, and author.

More by this Author

Pack up your clothes, the kids, and your sense of adventure because it’s time for some of our favorite USA budget road trips! There are so many wonderful places to explore across this beautiful country of ours and doing it by car is noted by many as the preferred method of travel.  So whether you have a hankering to explore national parks, foodie cities, historic sites, or anything in between, this budget sojourn promises a wealth of truly bucket-list-worthy destinations.

Want to discover more USA road trips? You’ll love OnlyInYourState’s newest series, On The Road , which explores magnificent routes across America catered to nature lovers, foodies, budget travelers, adventurers, and more.

1. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, North Dakota

2. Mount Rushmore National Monument, South Dakota

3. Toadstool Geological Park, Nebraska

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4. winnewissa falls at pipestone national monument, minnesota.

5. Granddad Bluff, Wisconsin

6. Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa

7. Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

8. Kankakee Sands, Indiana

Didn’t you just love these budget road trips in the US? Have you ever been to any of these fantastic places? If so, which were your favorites? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section. One of our favorite ways to travel in style is by renting an RV from RVShare because you don’t need to spend a fortune on your own.

If you’re still in the mood for more road trip adventures, take a look at this video about the Gunflint Trail & Scenic Byway in Minnesota:

To help you make sure you have everything you need, check out this Ultimate Road Trip Packing List.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Budget road trips.

What are some affordable road trips in the US? A road trip doesn't have to be an expensive ordeal. There are plenty of beautiful and interesting places across the US you can get to within a relatively short drive from your current location. Here are a few affordable road trips in the US to give you some ideas for your next getaway:

• A waterfall road trip : Just about every state has at least one waterfall. Some states are blessed with quite a few. Even if you are living in a waterfall-starved state, we bet there are some amazing trips you can take within a few hundred miles. One of our favorite waterfall road trips is in Oregon.
• State parks road trip : Some of our favorite places on Earth are our beautiful state parks. Each state has them, so you are only a quick trip away from pure natural bliss. Take this Lake Superior road trip in Michigan for an epic state park tour.
• Unique restaurant road trip : If you want a fun and easy road trip near you, try looking up some interesting restaurants in your state. We like to find a cute coffee shop or bakery in the morning, a cool lunch spot around noon, an interesting dinnertime restaurant, and a scenic sunset spot for drinks or dessert. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in Hawaii, we think you'll love this restaurant road trip along the coast of Maui .
• Charming small-town road trip : Every state has its hidden gem small towns -  Minnesota, for example. If you are looking for a fun budget road trip that can be tailored to your interests try a small town getaway. Love cute shops, unique restaurants, natural wonders, historic tours, and brew pubs? Any interest you can imagine can be found in our small towns all across America. And the best part is that small-town attractions are often more affordable than those in our big cities.

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Hi, I'm Charlotte

Travel planning , US Travel · February 28, 2022

USA Road Trip Budget: how much we spent in 7 weeks of travel

Curious how much people are spending on their vacations? Don’t know where to start to save for an epic vacation? Check out this blog post to find out how to create your USA road trip budget. 

A road trip around the United States is on sooo many travelers’ bucket list but the cost can definitely prohibit those dreams. Let’s face it: the US is EXPENSIVE. But how expensive are we talking?

Over the summer, my husband and I quit our jobs (it was planned, we’re not that impulsive!) and took 8 weeks off to travel and explore. We spent about a year planning and saving for 1. Our honeymoon in Belize , followed by 2. An epic road trip out west. We were inspired after spending one week in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park and knew there was so. much. more to see! 

So we set off and were very fortunate to not have to worry about expenses too much. We had saved so diligently we both felt confident in loosening the reins on our budget for a bit. Don’t get me wrong–we weren’t staying at 5 star hotels and eating at Michelin rated restaurants every night! We lived “within our means” while on the road somewhere in between budget and luxury. 

If you’re nosy like me you want the REAL numbers. And I’m sharing it here. I went through all of our credit card statements and combed through expenses from our trip. I left nothing out! Below, you’ll find a guide of how much we spent road tripping that will help you with your USA road trip budget.

DISCLAIMER : Before you even get to accommodations, I’ll go ahead and say we were so lucky to be able to borrow (yes, really) a camper! My sister graciously allowed us to pull their camper around all summer so none of these costs factor in the expense of having to rent an RV/camper if you go that route.

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COST BREAKDOWN

Gas was absolutely our biggest expense on our USA road trip. Especially being out west, gas prices were so much more than we are used to! One place in the middle of the desert in California had gas for $5.89 a gallow, but we had no choice but to get gas. If you’re not from the US, though, the gas prices might be a pleasant surprise. It just depends where you’re starting. 

Something else to keep in mind is what you’re driving. If you’re pulling a camper or driving an RV, you’ll get waaaaay less gas mileage. Our average was about 9 miles to the gallon! (Sorry, environment) But if you’re zipping around in a sedan, you’ll get much better gas mileage. In addition, the terrain makes a big difference. The first half of our trip we were in the flat desert. The second half was spent climbing and traveling across huge mountain ranges which is a much bigger drain on gas. 

For 6 weeks, you should plan for about $50 per day on gas . Some days you’ll average more and some days you’ll average less. 

So how much did we spend on gas? Our grand total for 7 weeks was $3,457.31 . Woof. 

For us, we cooked in the camper a lot! This keeps expenses relatively low for food. Oatmeal, PB&Js, and Hamburger Helper (don’t hate) were our staples. If we were closer to a city or town we’d heard great things about, we’d eat out but tried to keep this to a minimum. 

Again, where you’re road tripping will impact this. The style of dining will also make costs vary. Love steak dinners and sushi? Dedicate a larger amount of your budget. That’s pretty self explanatory, but be sure you are very realistic about what you’ll eat and how much you’ll cook. It doesn’t matter how optimistic I am about cooking 100% of our meals it’s inevitable that I will be too lazy one night and spend money eating out. 

Our grand total for food: $2,522.91

I am actually really surprised by this amount. This definitely wasn’t a “foodie” trip. Our priority was sightseeing. However, we did have a few nice dinners here and there. I also included all the wine tastings we did in Napa and Sonoma, which added up quickly. But I don’t regret any of it! Just know your priority and funnel your money to that category! 

Maintenance

With 6 weeks on the road, you’re bound to have some car maintenance come up. We drove several thousands miles over the course of 2 months which means a lot of wear on the vehicle. 

We also ended up having to replace all of the brakes a couple weeks into our trip. Obviously, this was a non-negotiable because we needed brakes on the steep roads with a 5,000 pound camper behind us! I’m so grateful I included a huge cushion in our budget for emergencies like that and highly suggest you do, too. 

We needed 2 oil changes and new brakes. And I feel very lucky that we didn’t need to replace more things! Although my husband would probably say he wishes we didn’t have to replace my cell phone while we were in Sonoma……..

Our cost of maintenance was $1436.68 . It’s hard to predict if something in the car will break or need repairs, so I’d budget a minimum of $1,000-$2,000 extra for any unknowns. You’d be remiss not to prepare for unexpected things when planning your USA road trip budge t.

Accommodations 

As I’ve mentioned several times already, we had a camper so our accommodations were much cheaper than they would be if we stayed in hotels or airbnbs. With the exception of about one week, we mostly stayed in RV parks. We did splurge on Airbnbs for a few places we had friends visiting us. 

Originally, I had planned to do a lot more “dispersed” camping. This means you’re basically parked in a patch of dirt without water or electric hookups. But then the West Coast ended up having an extreme heat wave with temps stay well in the 100s that made that unsafe for us and our pup, Benny. Dispersed camping is free, so having to scratch those plans increased our costs by a little bit. 

The worst part for us wasn’t the cost, though. We were traveling to a lot of national parks, which are notorious for campers and heavy summer crowds. So, it took some extra searching and sacrificing to find RV parks that had availability at the last minute! If you think there’s a chance you’ll have to stay at an RV park, I’d go ahead and book as soon as possible. 

It’s also worth noting that very few National parks have full hook ups. Many have water hookups but not electric. Most full hookups are very hard to get or exist only in places outside the parks. However, for all your major parks you’ll find plenty of private RV parks with full hook ups not too far outside park gates. 

Anywho, I digress. The long and short of it is cost of accommodation will vary widely based on what you’re looking for. Empty campsites are cheap, nice hotels in big cities are very expensive. I’m sure you know there’s a myriad of ways to save money like Airbnbs and loyalty points. 

For camping at full hookups, you can expect to average ~$60-75 per night. Some bigger parks, like KOA in Glacier, will run you a bit more but you can certainly find cheaper places with less amenities and a further trip to the park gates. 

For our trip, our accommodations totaled $2490.04 . This included about 30 nights at various RV parks with full hook ups and 12 nights at airbnbs in 3 different cities. 

Not bad! I imagine this number would be doubled or tripled if we did only hotels or Airbnbs. 

Miscellaneous

What’s a big road trip without the experiences?! Our expenses in this realm were kept low because for the most part we were hiking. But we did shell out for a few unique things! This category also added up because of all the random snack purchases at gas stations, odds and ends we needed, and Hawaiian shirts for our Christmas card photos (a necessity, really).

First things first: if you’re hitting more than 2 national parks BUY AN AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS!!! For $80, you get access to every national park, forest, and land for one year. Usually, park entrances are about $35 each so this is a no brainer. 

We also paid 1 or 2 state park entrance fees. And day passes to a pool in Palm Springs, which I HIGHLY recommend doing if you want to feel bougie for a day.

Our “miscellaneous” expenses came to $816.42 .

I decided to make this its own category because it ended up being a good chunk of our expenses. We bought quite a few of our own souvenirs and some for friends and family, too. Also included is all the wine we bought in Napa and Sonoma which is honestly a hefty chunk 😉 Souvenirs ended up being $1,145.68 of our total expenses.

TOTAL COST 

The grand total cost of our road trip around the US for 7 weeks came to $11,864.14 . This comes out to about ~$242 per day for a couple (so $121 per day per person). Several other blogs, like Nomadic Matt have also laid out similar content that says you can spend about $50 per day. This is definitely doable but I think $100 per day is more realistic . 

We originally set aside about $14,000 for our USA road trip budget, so we came in under that. I always OVER prepare, though because I really don’t want to go into credit card debt! Be super honest with yourself about where you will spend and where you will save. If you’re planning to ball out in EVERY category that’s going to make for a very expensive trip. But you most likely can choose if a really nice hotel or a few nice meals is more important to you. 

I mean really, an opportunity like this is truly priceless but it does take a lot of saving and budgeting! 

If you ever get the opportunity to road trip across the US, do it! Even if it’s not for 6-7 weeks like we did, even a week or two will be such a unique experience you’ll never forget. So many people flock to Europe or Asia when they have a long stretch of time off… which is great, don’t get me wrong! But we also have so much to explore right here in the US. Especially during times with the pandemic, getting to international destinations can be tricky. 

When planning your USA road trip budget, be sure to be realistic and over-prepare! Hopefully this can serve as a guide for you since I shared our real numbers! 

Have you road tripped across the US? How much did you budget for and save?

If you liked this, you’ll love…

• Finances 101: How to make your budget work for you
• How to plan and pay for a big trip
• The best tips to plan an epic adventure trip

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31 USA Road Trip Ideas + Tips

Home » Blog » U.S.A. » 31 USA Road Trip Ideas + Tips

Heading out on a USA road trip this summer? This MASSIVE list is packed with routes recommended by travel bloggers all around the US sharing tips about their favorite American road trips. From the West Coast to Key West, this article has the best routes for your next open road adventure!

Imagine this: The windows are down and the wind blows through your hair as your favorite playlist blasts through your car’s speakers. You sing along and soak up the feeling of freedom that only comes with driving on the open road.

The United States is one of the best countries in the world for road tripping. And we’re not just saying that… With mountains, deserts, beaches, forests and lakes, you can’t argue the natural beauty and diversity the U.S. has to offer.

On top of the sheer amount of places to see around the country, the U.S. is also very well-suited for road trips. 

With clean drinking water accessible in most parts of the country, roadside rest stops (ahem, public toilets!), well-maintained roads, relatively affordable gas prices, and lots of camping options, it’s hard to find any other country that comes close to the ease and accessibility that the USA offers when it comes to road tripping.

Article contents

• Getting started
• Tips for planning your road trip
• USA road trip routes

Ultimate Road Trip Packing List!

Whether you are staying in a hotel, living in a campervan or RV, or you’re trekking in the backcountry, here is everything you’ll want to pack on a road trip . Plus tips and advice on making your next road trip go as smoothly as possible!

Start planning your perfect USA road trip

Make your way along famous highways, like Route 66 through the heartlands of the country, or California’s iconic Highway 1. Venture on lesser-known backroads and escape the crowds and get lost along the way. 

Drive through charming small towns and big, lively cities. Explore National Parks or get off the beaten path in State Forests and protected lands.

There are literally endless road trip routes you could take, and choosing the best one for you depends on what exactly you’re looking for.

• Do you want to explore any National Parks on your trip?
• Do you want to see iconic sites or get off the beaten path?
• Do you plan to camp or stay in hotels? (If you plan on camping, our advice is to download The Dyrt, an app that’ll take your campervan game to the next level. Use this link to get 30 days of the Pro Membership totally free – no strings attached).
• Are you more into nature or cities? (Or maybe you want a combination of both!)
• How long do you have? Maybe you have the entire summer to do as you wish and you’re planning an epic 3-month road trip. Or maybe you just have a few days to spare between work weeks.

Whatever type of getaway you’re craving, there is a perfect USA road trip out there waiting for you!

Tips for planning your USA Road Trip

Use these helpful tips to start planning your USA road trip. If you want a more detailed breakdown, we have an entire guide that walks you through how to plan a road trip , packed with hacks and expert advice.

1. Research your destination

Find out what the weather will be like in your destination during the time of year you plan to travel. Check average temperatures in the area to know what to expect and how to pack. 

Consult city guides and other travel resources to figure out which highlights to stop at and which tourist traps to avoid. You can get a lot of information simply from typing “things to do in…” and then entering your destination into Google. 

Buying a guidebook will give you tons of insider advice and helpful information at your fingertips. 

Having a physical guidebook allows you to have all the info you need in one place; plus, you can make notes and highlights (anyone else love being able to do this?!). And you won’t have to worry about losing signal on your phone while exploring — this happens a lot in the mountains! — because you’ll have all the tips you need with a turn of a page.

If you plan on visiting any National Parks during your trip, listen up… 

Moon USA National Parks is one of the best guidebooks we’ve found for exploring the United States. 

This 700-page guide goes through each of America’s 62 National Parks and explains the history, best hikes, iconic viewpoints, and places to stay. Plus, it includes maps of each park so you can plan your itinerary accordingly. This guidebook will be a super handy tool while on the road.

Bonus: The Moon guidebook has super beautiful photography, making it a fun coffee table book after your trip (and possibly to inspire future travels).

2. Choose your method of transportation

Consider your options for transportation on your USA road trip…

• Your own car: No need to pay for a rental vehicle if you have your own—just be sure it can handle the conditions and terrain you plan to traverse on your road trip.
• Campervan or RV: Our personal favorite way to go on a road trip and for so many reasons ! It gives you the ultimate freedom, you save money on hotels and can get off the grid, to name just a few. 
• For example, we rented a small SUV for a road trip in Washington state and paid less than $30 per day!

Wanna test out #VanLife?

It’s no secret we are big fans of #vanlife. If you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give van life a test drive on your USA road trip, we’ve tons of ideas for you! Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals , from budget to bougie, including exclusive discounts for our readers!

Or, if you’re planning on exploring a certain region and want more specific recommendations, click on one of the links below.

• Campervan rentals in Portland, Oregon
• Campervan rentals in Seattle, Washington
• Campervan rentals in Salt Lake City, Utah

One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans . They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link !

3. Set a budget and plot out your accommodation

A road trip budget will vary from person to person, but having an idea in mind of how much you plan to spend beforehand is always a good idea. 

You can find out exactly how much money we spent on our first vanlife experience in the US in our 3 month road trip budget breakdown . If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll want to check out these money-saving tips for a cheap road trip . 

Once you have a good idea of the costs to factor in a road trip budget and a reasonable idea of how much you’re able to spend, it’s time to start booking accommodation!

Since we are usually traveling in our campervan on road trips, we tend to seek out campsites as accommodation, but you can choose to stay in hotels or Airbnbs as well. 

Psst! Read our tips for booking an Airbnb if you’re not familiar with the site.

If you’re traveling in a campervan or on a tight budget, camping is the way to go! We have some great tips for finding free campsites along the way. Another suggestion is to get familiar with campsite apps—a great resource for finding campsites along your route and filtering for your specific needs.

Our recommendation: Our favorite camping app is The Dyrt because it has the largest network of campsites in the USA (and has some other really cool features). It has both free and paid versions, but we’ve got a special link just for our readers which will give you 30 days of the Pro membership totally FREE!

4. Save money with the America the Beautiful Park Pass

You’ll notice many of these epic USA road trips include stops at some of our National Parks. Entrance fees to the US National Parks can run you upwards of $30+ per vehicle for each park, which can really add up. 

If you’re planning to stop at more than one National Parks on your road trip, you may want to think about getting the America the Beautiful Park Pass to save money. 

At just $80 for a full year, the pass grants you free access to over 2,000 Federal recreation areas in the United States, including all 62 National Parks. We put together an article detailing the America the Beautiful Park Pass and answering the question, is it truly worthwhile?

5. Download maps and entertainment offline

You don’t want to be ripping through your data plan while on the road. In order to avoid those pesky overage fees, you can download your navigation (hello Google maps offline feature!) and entertainment like Spotify playlists, podcasts and audiobooks to your device so you can listen offline. 

Downloading Google Maps offline is super simple and you will be able to get real-time GPS coordinates, search the map for nearby establishments and turn on directions from point to point, all without using any data. 

Follow these steps to download Google Maps offline:

• Download and sign into the Google Maps application (it’s connected with your Gmail account).
• Search for a destination in the search bar. (Example: “San Francisco” or “Idaho”)
• The top half of your screen should populate with a map of your destination while the bottom half shares details about the place. Swipe up so the details fill your screen. Then just under the Location, toggle to the right past the labels for “Directions,” “Save,” “Label,” etc. until you see “Download”. 
• Make sure you’re on WiFi, center the map in the area you will be driving, and click the “download” button.

The map data from this region will now be on your phone, and can be accessed even when you have no cell signal! You’ll even be able to see your current GPS location as long as you have it authorized. (Settings > Google Maps > Location > select “Always”)

Best USA Road Trips

We’ve called on some travel bloggers to share their top American Road Trips. We’re even adding a few of our own favorite road trips in there!

All the road trips below are broken down by region in the United States, and each route includes how many days you should plan to be on the road, best time of year to travel, and the top things to do along the way.

If you know which region you’re interested in, click on the link below to jump straight to that section. Otherwise, keep scrolling down for ALL the inspiration you can handle!

• West Coast USA
• Western USA
• Hawaii & Alaska
• Midwest USA
• Southern USA
• Eastern USA

Psst! Get motivated to plan your next adventure with this list of inspiring road trip quotes (+ graphics!).

West Coast USA Road Trips

With the Pacific Ocean to the west and mountains and deserts to the east, this part of the country is one of the best places to take a road trip. 

You’ll be able to explore some of the most exciting cities in the United States, like San Francisco , Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle. Plus, the West Coast boasts some of the best sunsets in the nation.

Road Trips:

• Pacific Coast Highway
• Oregon Coast & Forests Road Trip
• San Francisco to Seattle: Coastal Drive
• Seattle to San Francisco: Inland Route
• Washington State Road Trip
• Olympic Peninsula
• Yosemite to Sequoia National Park
• Lake Tahoe to Eastern Sierra
• Eastern Oregon Road Trip

1. Pacific Coast Highway in California

This gorgeous USA road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway will lead you across one of the most beautiful regions in the country. With mesmerizing beaches, ample palm trees, and perfect weather, the journey is an ideal two-week getaway.

• Route: Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
• At a glance: San Francisco – Yosemite National Park – Santa Barbara – LA – San Diego
• Distance: 731 miles
• Duration: 12 days
• When to go: June-August; summer is the perfect time for this road trip since the water will be warm enough for a quick dip along the way!

Begin your road trip in San Francisco. Catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge before all the tourists wake up in the morning, then head to Fisherman’s Wharf. Grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants and visit a few historical ships along the way. Rent a bike and spend some time touring the streets, including one of the oldest Chinatowns in the country and Union Square, a modern plaza.

Spend the next day exploring the Google Campus in Mountain View before jumping back into your car and heading east, where you can spend a day or two hiking in Yosemite National Park amongst the breath-taking landscape.

Next, head south towards Santa Barbara, where you can enjoy some delicious seafood and a more laid-back vibe. There are many things to do in Santa Barbara , including visits to wineries, a walk along the shoreline, and a short hike at Lizard’s Mouth, which is a beautiful viewpoint that overlooks the entire city. 

Spend two days relaxing along the coast before making your way down to Los Angeles.

Located two hours south of Santa Barbara, L.A. can keep you busy for days. A walk along Hollywood Blvd will prepare you for the glam and glitz of the city. Check out the Hollywood Sign and catch a movie at the TCL Chinese Theater before grabbing some dinner at the Hollywood and Highland Center. 

Spend the following day at Universal Studio Hollywood, before heading south to Orange County.

Orange County has a few beautiful beaches, including Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach. A day can be spent beach-hopping before heading to Disneyland in Anaheim the following day.

The last two days will be spent in San Diego visiting the Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. Hike and scuba dive at La Jolla Cove and end your Pacific Highway road trip with one last dip in the ocean!

• Ride in a street trolley in San Francisco
• Hike Yosemite and catch a sunrise!
• Grab a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer Viewpoint
• Go winery hopping in Santa Barbara
• Have some fresh oysters right by the Santa Barbara Harbor
• Hike to the Hollywood sign in L.A.

Contributed by: Daisy Li from Beyond My Border

2. Oregon Coast & Forests Road Trip

This road trip takes you through quirky Portland and charming oceanside towns. You’ll adventure in the mountains, find hot springs, and explore one of the coolest National Parks in the US. Let’s go! 

• Route: Oregon Coast & Forests road trip
• At a glance: Portland – Hood River – Bend – Crater Lake – Samuel H. Boardman State Corridor – Cannon Beach – Portland
• Distance: 1,100 miles
• Duration: 10 – 12 days
• When to go: May – October will give you the best weather, and the earlier and later end of the spectrum will help you avoid the summertime crowds. Enjoy fall foliage in mid-October!

After exploring the quirky sights of Portland , head east along the Columbia River Gorge. Make a day of it and see as many waterfalls as you can before stopping for the night in charming Hood River where you can see people windsurfing on the Columbia River.

Heading south, you’ll enter Mount Hood National Forest, which offers lots of hiking if you have the time. Stop at Trillium Lake for a picnic with unrivaled views of the volcanic mountain.

Heading even further south, you’ll reach the beautiful town of Bend , which is a fun place to explore for a day. For a fun little side trip, head past the small town of Sisters and into the Willamette National Forest where you can find waterfalls and the incredibly vibrant Tamolitch Blue Pools.

Continuing further south, spend a couple days taking in the sights and hikes in Crater Lake National Park , and hunting for hot springs in Umpqua National Forest .

Short on time? If you’re short on time, you can cut over to the coast and head back to Portland along the ocean.

But if you have the time, there are more adventures to be had. Explore the cute little town of Ashland, and if you’re lucky you might be able to catch one of their famous Shakespeare Festival, which happens all summer long.

You’ll actually need to cross into California briefly before returning into Oregon to see the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. The name of this park is long, but the ocean views are some of the best in the state! 

After you’ve explored to your heart’s content, make your way north through all sorts of cute coastal towns, stopping whenever you get the urge. (We liked the town of Bandon, and enjoyed seafood and sunset here!)

On your way back to Portland, stop at the Tillamook Creamery for some of their famous cheese and ice cream, and spend the night in Cannon Beach so you can see the iconic sea stacks at sunset.

• Sample all the craft beer you can in Portland
• Go chasing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge
• Picnic with views of Mount Hood at Trillium Lake
• Explore the fun towns of Bend, Hood River and Ashland
• Hike to Tamolitch Blue Pools for some of the bluest water you’ll ever see!
• Explore Samuel H. Boardman State Park for some of the most epic ocean views in the state 
• Eat clams and seafood in one of the many small towns along the coast. We loved Tony’s Crab Shack in Bandon.
• See the sea stacks on Cannon Beach at sunset
• Stop at the Tillamook Creamery for the famous cheese and ice cream

Helpful resources for your Oregon road trip:

• If the coast is calling your name and you’d rather spend all your time near the ocean, we have a huge Oregon coast road trip guide to help you customize your itinerary and plan your trip.
• If you’re interested in traveling by campervan (highly recommend!), be sure to check out the best campervan rentals in Portland .

Recommended by Katie and Ben from Two Wandering Soles

3. San Francisco to Seattle: Coastal Drive

This San Francisco to Seattle drive is a scenic route that includes the dramatic California and Oregon coastlines and stops at a few national and state parks. Since most of this USA road trip follows the Pacific Coast Highway, the views from the drive alone will be stunning.

• Route: San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA (coastal drive)
• At a glance: San Francisco – Mendocino – Florence – Redwood National Park – Cannon Beach – Olympic National Forest – Seattle
• Distance: 920 miles
• Duration: 2 weeks 
• When to go: June – October. Summer months bring pleasant temperatures and mostly sunny skies. Visiting in the early Fall is great because there are fewer tourists and the weather is still mild.

The drive begins in San Francisco. Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, riding the trolley, and hopping over to Sausalito, there is plenty to do and eat in a couple of days.

After taking in the sights in San Fran, begin driving north to Mendocino. This charming coastal northern California town has scenic kayaking and biking opportunities, as well as hiking trails nearby. 

The last stop in northern California is to explore the majestic redwoods. In addition to Redwood National Park, there are many state parks that have redwood forests. 

Continue your route along the coast until the next stop in Florence, Oregon. Florence is where you can hop on an ATV and explore the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. 

Then continue along the Pacific Coast Highway making stops along Oregon’s gorgeous and charming coast line. A highlight is a stop in Cannon Beach , one of the cutest towns on the Oregon Coast, where the famed Haystack Rock is just a few feet offshore. 

The final leg of the journey is the drive towards Seattle, with a stop at Olympic National Park . After admiring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest coastline, this park showcases even more of Washington’s untouched nature. 

Seattle is the last stop on the road trip. Visiting the classic attractions such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market are some of the top things to do in Seattle . 

• Walk along the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll Fisherman’s Wharf, take a ferry to Alcatraz Island and take a ride on a trolley in San Francisco
• Kayak sea caves and go biking along the Big River in Mendocino, California
• Hike along trails in Redwood National Park
• Ride an ATV on the Oregon Sand Dunes
• Take a walk on the beach during low tide to Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach and have some coffee at the Sleepy Monk
• Hike some scenic trails in Olympic National Park
• Grab some lunch at Pike Place Chowder and witness the views from the Space Needle in Seattle

Contributed by: Margie from DQ Family Travel

4. Seattle to San Francisco: Inland Route

This lesser explored route between the two major cities takes you inland to national and state parks you’ve probably never heard of, chasing waterfalls and hiking mountains.

• Route: West Coast Inland Road Trip – Adventures and Waterfall Hikes
• At a glance: Washington – Oregon – California
• Distance: 807 miles
• Duration: 2 weeks
• When to go: Fall – So you can see those incredible fall colors and the crowds have left.

Your first day will be spent just outside Seattle exploring some of the waterfall hikes like Snoqualmie, Franklin and Twin Falls. 

Meander your way down into Mount Rainier National Park for the next day or two and take it all in, there’s a lot going on there.

Then make your way to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, where you’ll see some of the most beautiful Oregon waterfalls . Multnomah Falls is famous and absolutely worth a gander, but there are other falls worth a visit. We also recommend the underrated Dry Creek Falls, which is actually way better than it sounds.

Wrap up your first week on the road by riding through Bend, Oregon, the adventure capital of the state! Smith Rock State Park is a must and treat yourself to as many craft beers as you’d like.

As you make your way to California, you can stop off to do some hiking in Crater Lake National ,  before you bid adieu to Oregon. Lassen National Park and Lava Beds National Monuments aren’t as well-known, but have some great hikes and incredible views. Kings Creek Falls hike is known for bear sightings!

As you wrap up your inland Seattle to San Francisco road trip , take time to visit Burney Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls you’ll probably ever see, Big Trees National Park and Muir Woods National Monument.

Highlights 

• Mount Rainier National Park is a playground for hikes, exploring, and seeing those epic fall colors!
• Find out all the fun things to do in Bend, Oregon — hands down the best city in the area. (I’m only sort of biased)—a visit to Smith Rock State Park, the craft beer scene, lots of hikes , waterfalls, floating down the river… There’s so much to do and the area is gorgeous.
• Burney Falls is STUNNING.
• The Columbia River Gorge in its entirety and getting the less popular spots like Dry Creek Falls all to yourselves will be epic—not many wander up there.
• Seeing Crater Lake at sunset is incredibly majestic.

Contributed by: Nina Ragusa from Where in the World is Nina?

Psst! We have a guide to the best campervan rentals in Seattle that will be super helpful if you’re thinking about this route!

5. Washington State Road Trip

Washington State is packed with some of the most stunning natural landscapes you’ll find in the United States. There is so much more to this PNW state than Seattle, and if you get out of the city limits, you’ll find adventure and beauty abound. This route will bring you through some of the most beautiful places in this state.

• Route: Best of Washington State
• At a glance: Seattle – San Juan Islands – North Cascades National Park – Winthrop – Lake Chelan & Stehekin – Leavenworth – Seattle
• Distance: 500 miles
• Duration: 10 – 12 days, with options to add on 2 – 4 days for the Olympic Peninsula (find the itinerary below)
• When to go: May – October

Start your road trip in Seattle, and spend a day or two exploring the city if you’ve never been. Once you leave the city limits, the real adventure begins! 

Heading north, you’ll come to the seaside town of Anacortes, from which you can take a ferry to the San Juan Islands. Explore the cute island towns, and if your budget allows, splurge on a whale watching tour – it’s one of the best places in North America to do it!

Once you’re back on the mainland, head into the mountains. North Cascades National Park is home to the most epic scenery you’ll see on this trip, so stop often and take lots of photos along the way. Mount Baker National Forest is a great place for hiking, and you’ll get stunning views at Diablo Lake and Ross Lake.

Continue east on Highway 20 and you’ll come to Washington Pass, where you’ll definitely want to get out of your car and bring your camera! The next stop is the Western style town of Winthrop, which is a fun stop for a beer before heading on to Lake Chelan.

This narrow, 50.5-mile lake almost looks like a river from the map, but it’s possible to take a ferry to the opposite end of the lake, where the tiny town of Stehekin lies. With fewer than 80 permanent residents, Stehekin is a great place to get away from it all, go hiking, stay in a cozy cabin, and eat at the town’s famous bakery. 

Now it’s time to make your way to the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth . Home to lots of cute shops and breweries, it’s a nice place to relax. 

If you have the time, try to get out and explore the nature surrounding the town, as it is absolutely magnificent (Colchuck Lake is one of our favorite hikes!). If you want an extra adventure, book a trip with our friends at Wildwater Rafting for a fun time on the Wenatchee River!

Your drive back on Highway 2 is beautiful and passes by a couple waterfalls and viewpoints. If you’re hungry, stop at a local favorite, Sultan Bakery, for donuts and famous sandwiches before arriving back in Seattle.

Tip: Be sure to stay at some of Washington’s best campsites along the way!

• Visit Seattle’s famous sites : Pike’s Place Market, the Post Alley Gum Wall, and the Space Needle, then explore the Fremont neighborhood where you can sample the city’s best craft beer and seek out the famous Fremont Troll.
• Go whale watching in the San Juan Islands
• Hike as much as you can in North Cascades National Park: Diablo Lake and Mount Baker are highlights
• Take a ferry on Lake Chelan to the tiny town of Stehekin. Don’t forget to eat at the town bakery!
• Sample German pretzels and beer in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth

6. Olympic Peninsula Washington

With driftwood-strewn beaches, temperate rainforests, mountains and waterfalls, Olympic National Park is packed full of beauty and adventure. This short but sweet route brings you through the best of the Olympic Peninsula .

• Route: Olympic National Park and Beaches  
• At a glance: Seattle – ferry to Bainbridge Island – Port Angeles – La Push – Olympia – Seattle
• Distance: 550 miles
• Duration: 2-4 days

The Olympic Peninsula is just a short drive from Seattle, making it a great weekend camping trip, or a good addition to a longer PNW road trip. The quickest way to get to the OP is by taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island. You can find the schedule here .

Once you’re back on the road, make your way to Hurricane Ridge where you can enjoy epic mountain views and explore the trails in Olympic National Park . On a clear day, you can even see the ocean! 

Spend the night at Lyre River Campground, which is free and absolutely beautiful. Try to arrive early, as it is first come, first served. In the morning, head inland to explore Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Falls before making your way back to the coast and preparing for a hike. 

Walking out to Shi Shi Beach will likely be a highlight of your time in the OP (especially if you’re a photographer). If you have the time and camping equipment, plan to spend the night at Shi Shi and enjoy an epic sunset with few other people around.   

The next morning, hike out and get back on the road. You’ll pass through Forks, the small town made famous by the Twilight series, and you can explore the beaches near La Push. This is a nice place to spend the night. 

Wander through the Hoh Rainforest and stop for a picnic lunch near Ruby Beach on the following day before making the drive back to Seattle. 

• See mountains and ocean at the same time at Hurricane Ridge
• Explore the lush Hoh Rainforest
• Imagine fairies are real on a walk around stunning Sol Duc Falls
• Camp on a beach in the Olympic Peninsula

7. California National Parks

One of the most picturesque drives in California through some of the most famous National Parks in the United States.

• Route: Yosemite to Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park
• At a glance: Yosemite – Kings Canyon – Sequoia
• Distance: 186 miles
• Duration: 5-8 days 
• When to go: April- October; Spring and Fall are the best time of year to travel to the National Parks, since the weather will not be too hot or too cold, and the crowds should be fewer than in the Summer.

​​Yosemite is one of the busiest national parks in the country. For this reason, you might want to book your spot in advance, if you plan to hike the famous Half Dome. Otherwise you can enjoy the hikes around like Vernal Falls or Taft Point and view Half Dome from a distance. 

Be sure to be on the lookout for bears and other wildlife hanging around as well. For a nice easy stroll, take the trail down to Mirror Lake for a one-of-a-kind view.

Continue your road trip south towards Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. The two adjacent parks are jointly managed by the National Parks Service and with a single entrance fee. 

Spend a day exploring Kings Canyon and then make your way to Sequoia National Park. Its in both of these parks where you’ll find yourself among some of the largest redwood trees in the world.

In fact, the General Sherman tree in Sequoia, stands as the largest tree in the world by volume. And don’t forget to drive through the downed Redwood, as it’s one of the last drive thru trees around.

• Enjoy all the waterfalls you find along the route 
• Hike Half Dome, or many of the other hikes around Yosemite
• Drive through the giant Redwood trees in Kings Canyon & Sequoia
• Take a picture in front of the largest tree in the world

Contributed by: Sara from Our Kind of Crazy

8. Lake Tahoe to Eastern Sierra California Road Trip

This beautiful road trip may not cover a lot of distance, but it’s so crammed with epic scenery and things to do that seven days will seem too short! The road travels along the stunning Eastern Sierra, and side trips include the scenic Tioga Pass Road and other short roads leading to points of interest along the route.

• Route: California State Route 395 from South Lake Tahoe to Bishop
• At a glance: South Lake Tahoe – Bridgeport – Lee Vining – Mammoth Lakes – Bishop
• Distance: 175 miles
• Duration: 7 days
• When to go: Hands down, Autumn is the best time of year to do this spectacular road trip through the Eastern Sierra . The next best is late spring, when wildflowers are in bloom. In late spring, summer, and fall, you can enjoy hiking trails all along the route! 

Start this USA road trip in scenic South Lake Tahoe, where you can spend a couple of days enjoying the beauty of the large alpine lake. Make sure to take the short drive to Hope Valley and the nearby mountain passes to see leaf colors in the fall.

Next, take California SR395 South to the Bridgeport area, where you can take the short detour to see the ghost town of Brodie (it’s now a state park). 

Further south, you can make a stop at Conway Summit, the highest point along the route, and Mono Lake, a large saltwater lake famous for its tufa towers and thousands of birds. Arrive at Mammoth Lakes, which will be your base for the next three days.

Spend the next three days exploring the areas north and south of the resort town of Mammoth Lakes. From lakes to waterfalls and mountains to creeks, you will find lots to see here. The town of Mammoth Lakes is a well-known winter sports resort, and offers lots of accommodation and dining options.

Spend the last two days of your trip in Bishop, where again you can explore side roads to scenic lakes and an abundance of color in the fall.

• Try SUP boarding on the crystal clear waters of beautiful Lake Tahoe 
• Explore the ghost town of Brodie, preserved exactly as the occupants left when they fled
• Visit the Devil’s Postpile National Monument in Mammoth Lakes
• Marvel at the tufa towers at Mono Lake: an excellent sunset photography spot!
• Enjoy the stunning beauty of the lakes of the Eastern Sierra all along the route

Contributed by: Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles

9. Eastern Oregon Road Trip

This off-the-beaten path adventure offers wide open roads, rustic hot springs, mesmerizing desert and unparalleled stargazing.

• Route: Steens Mountain Scenic Byway in Eastern Oregon
• As an alternative to Boise, you can drive the Steen’s Mountain Scenic Byway from Bend, Oregon. The distance and timing is approximately the same.
• Distance: 600-650 miles
• Duration: 4-5 days
• When to go: Soaring heat in summer and the closure of the Steen’s Mountain Loop in winter, mean Spring and Fall are the best times of year to drive the Steen’s Mountain Scenic Byway.

Drive four hours west from Boise (or four hours east from Bend) and enter one of the most remote areas of the United States. 

Your first stop is at the Alvord Hot Springs, where you can soak in the rustic thermal pools at the edge of a large dried-out lake known as the Playa. For optimal stargazing, head to the middle of the cracked-earth Playa and camp in complete solitude under the milky way.

In the morning, spend a few hours zooming around the Alvord Playa in your 4×4 vehicle and marvel at the vastness of your surroundings. Fill up with gas in the small town of Fields (population 14), before driving up the west side of Steen’s Mountain to the historic town of Frenchglen.

Frenchglen is the gateway to the Steen’s Mountain Loop and the surprisingly lush Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy one or two days of hiking or bird-watching. Before heading back to Boise or Bend, spend the night soaking under the stars at the Crystal Crane Hot Spring.

• Soak in the Alvord Hot Springs at any hour of the day or night
• Drive your vehicle onto the cracked-earth Playa and chase mirages across the desert.
• Camp out on the Playa and enjoy opportunities for perspective photography
• Drive the Steen’s Mountain Loop and soak in views of glacial valleys
• Hike to Wildhorse Lake
• Admire birdlife at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge
• Take a sunrise soak in the warm lake waters of Crystal Crane Hot Springs

Contributed by: Erika Bisbocci from Erika’s Travels

Western USA Road Trips

The mountains are calling! And the deserts too! Drive through the Rocky Mountains over snowy mile-high passes. Explore the unique rock formations of the deserts that has taken millions of years to create.

This is also where you’ll find some of the nation’s most prized National Parks, and some of the best preserved Native American sites. You can really get out in the wild in the Western States.

• American Southwest National Parks
• Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
• Utah’s National Parks
• Colorado Road Trip
• Idaho Wilderness & Small Towns
• Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

10. American Southwest National Parks

This epic road trip with both popular and off-the-beaten-path stops is one of the finest adventures the wild west can offer.

• Route: American Southwest Road Trip
• At a glance: Nevada – Utah – Arizona
• Distance: about 1,000 miles
• Duration: 1 week 
• When to go: May is a very popular month, and it was when I did the trip, though the locals said fall is the best time of the year. 

This American Southwest Road Trip begins in Los Angeles, California. Take your car or campervan to Nevada, and make a stop at the Seven Magic Mountains, followed by a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon (the best way to see it if you are short on time!), and be sure to make a stop at the Valley of Fire State Park.

Recommended sights at the Valley of Fire include Seven Sisters, Elephant Rock, Beehives, and Fire Wave Trail, some of the best hikes near Las Vegas . 

Next, move on to Utah and get ready for the gorgeous views at Zion National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park , Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and more.

Finally, make your way to Arizona, which is famous for some more incredible canyons, like the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and The Wave.

• Helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon
• Coyote Gulch trail in one day via the sneaker route, which involve using a rope to climb down a 250-foot vertical rock and navigating by GPS
• Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park
• The gorgeous rock formations at Valley of the Gods

Contributed by: Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse 

11. Utah’s National Parks

If Utah is on your bucket list, you should bookmark this road trip route. It takes you through the state’s 5 National Parks plus some other hidden gems and cool towns—basically all the best places to visit in Utah .  

• Route: Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks    
• At a glance: Moab (Arches & Canyonlands National Parks) – Capitol Reef National Park – Grand Staircase Escalante – Bryce Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – St. George
• Distance: 550 Miles
• When to go: March – May and September – November; avoid the summer months as it is very crowded and hot at this time of year. Spring and fall bring much more comfortable temperatures and fewer people.

Begin by exploring the town of Moab for a day or two. If you like mountain biking, this is the place to get out on two wheels! 

Make stops at both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park , as they offer very different experiences. You can also stop at Dead Horse Point State Park if you have the time.

On your way westward, make a stop at the House on Fire, ancient ruins located near a river bend of Mule Canyon. And like the name implies, they look just like a house on fire. When we visited there were only a handful of other people, and it was a super interesting place many travelers miss. 

Capitol Reef is the next park on the route, and it is the least visited of Utah’s National Parks, but certainly worth the stop. 

Spend the night near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and if it’s open, Kiva Koffeehouse makes a perfect place for food, coffee and views. 

Now you’re almost to Bryce Canyon National Park which is your next stop before heading to your final park: the famous Zion. St. George is a cute town to spend the final days of your trip, or to relax before continuing on.

Depending on your time frame and flights, you can either:

• end your trip in St. George
• continue onto Las Vegas (lots of cheap flights leave from here)
• extend your trip to include stops at Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley before circling back up to Moab 
• Sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park
• Photographing House on Fire Ruins
• Picking apricots from the orchards in Capitol Reef National Park
• Coffee with a view at Kiva Koffeehouse near Escalante
• Peek a Boo Loop hike at Bryce Canyon National Park
• Angel’s Landing Hike at Zion National Park
• Stargazing on clear nights in the desert

12. Las Vegas to Grand Canyon

This epic road trip brings you from the craziest city to 3 amazing canyons, a beautiful forest and back to Las Vegas, all along the famous Route 66.

• Route: Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon
• At a glance: Las Vegas – Antelope Canyon – Horseshoe Bend – Coconino National Forest – Flagstaff – Grand Canyon – Las Vegas
• Distance: 800 miles
• Duration: 1 week
• When to go:  All year long, but remember July – August will be quite hot.

Begin your journey in Las Vegas and spend the day driving through Utah and Arizona to the Antelope Canyons. Explore both the Upper and Lower Canyon, each a wonderland for photographers as lights, sand and shadows play beautifully together.

Spend a night in Page and also visit Horseshoe Bend the next day. The Colorado River writing poems into the landscape should not be missed.

Next, head south towards Flagstaff. You will pass the Coconino National Forest. Be sure to stop and take a left into the forest. The flower fields are breathtaking and there is also an interesting crater to visit.

Once in Flagstaff, enjoy the rustic wild west atmosphere (and if you have more time in Arizona try checking out Tucson ). 

The next day make your way towards the Grand Canyon. Drive back up the road to Cameron and take a left there to make the most of your time in the park. Several Native shops will offer nice handicrafts as a souvenir.

To end the journey, find your way towards the setting sun again, West, and take a little detour from the main new interstate to end up on the famous Route 66.

• Gamble but don’t lose all your money in Las Vegas
• Explore and take a photographers tour in the Antelope Canyons
• Hike around Horseshoe Bend
• Just breath and relax in the Coconino National Forest
• Feel like a cowboy in Flagstaff
• Finally visit the most majestic canyon of them all: Grand Canyon. Several hikes are available in the area
• Head back to Las Vegas via Route 66 and crank up the radio

Contributed by: Theo from Tripcrafting

13. Colorado Road Trip

Take in the snow-capped mountains, breathtaking landscapes, and soak in natural hot springs on this epic Colorado road trip. 

• Route: Colorado Road Trip: Cities and Nature
• At a glance: Denver – Boulder – Glenwood Springs – Grand Junction – Ouray – Mesa Verde National Park – Buena Vista – Colorado Springs – Denver
• Distance: 900 miles
• Duration: 1-2 weeks
• When to go: June – August; Spring is nice too, but a summer Colorado road trip does allow you to see more and enjoy the outdoors that makes Colorado so awesome.

Kick start your Colorado road trip with 2-3 days in the ‘Mile High City’ of Denver exploring its vibrant arts scene. Stop two is a day trip to Boulder, stroll along Pearl Street, the pedestrian walkway downtown, or head to the foothills to hike any of the 45,000 acres of designated trails.

From there, head to Glenwood Springs, but make a stop on the way to hike to Hanging Lake to take in the stunning turquoise lake suspended on the edge of Glenwood Canyon.

After a few days chilling in the laid back vibe of Glenwood Springs, pick up the pace with 1-2 days in Grand Junction. The area has a number of sightseeing hotspots such as the vineyards of Palisade and the Colorado National Monument.

Continue south to the charming town of Ouray before heading onto Mesa Verde National Park which you can easily explore in 1 day.

Your next stop is Buena Vista, a must for all adventure lovers. Get ready for stunning scenery as you head to the penultimate stop on your itinerary, at Colorado Springs. 

There you can marvel at the red sandstone formations in the Garden of the Gods or spend the day at the North Cheyenne Canon Park before heading back to Denver to complete your epic Colorado road trip.

• A scenic drive to Lookout Mountain for spectacular views of Denver
• Explore the hiking and riding trails around Boulder, especially the Hanging Lake Trailhead
• Whitewater rafting along the Colorado River.
• Have a picnic after hiking the nature trails at the beautiful Rifle Falls State Park
• Take in the grandness of the Colorado National Monument, its spectacular canyons, red rocks, and sandstone towers.
• Explore Pike’s Peak by Cog Train to view the beautiful vistas of Colorado Springs from above

Contributed by: Oksana & Max from Drink Tea & Travel

14. Idaho Wilderness & Small Towns

We’ve said time and time again that Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the US, and we’re going to preach its epic-ness once again. With incredible hot springs , the rugged Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness, and charming towns, a road trip through Idaho is perfect if you want to have epic adventures without the crowds of many other Western states.

• Route: Best of Idaho Road Trip
• At a glance: Boise – Twin Falls – Ketchum – Stanley – Salmon
• Distance: 915 miles
• When to go: June – September, outside of these months, you will likely find some roads closed due to snow, so it’s best to travel during the summertime. Compared to other states in Western USA, you won’t find nearly as many crowds even during the peak summer season.

Begin your journey in Boise and spend a day exploring Idaho’s largest city by bicycle. Your next stop is the town of Twin Falls where you can watch BASE jumpers and make the detour to the nearby sand dunes.

Next, head up towards the Sawtooth Wilderness, where you can stop off for hikes along the way. Ketchum is a small town with lots of charm and outdoor activities all year long.

Stanley is not far from here, and this tiny town of 63 people looks like it’s straight out of a Western movie set. Enjoy the scenery and do a little hiking if you’re keen. 

From here, make a stop at the stunning Goldbug Hot Springs before ending your trip in the Western-themed town of Salmon.

• Explore Boise by bicycle and stop at a few of the (many!) breweries along the way
• Watch BASE jumpers at the bridge in Twin Falls
• See Ernest Hemingway’s grave in Ketchum, and enjoy the many cute shops and cafes in town 
• Go for a hike (or two!) in the Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness Area. Alice’s Lake is a good one!
• See the cute little town of Stanley, and be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Stanley Bakery. You can’t miss it! Tip: The cinnamon rolls are to die for!
• Soak in Goldbug Hot Springs — likely the most scenic hot springs you’ll ever see! If you have a tent, you can spend the night here beneath the stars!

Recommended by Katie & Ben from Two Wandering Soles

15. Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

Take an incredible road trip through some of the most epic scenery in the northwestern United States. This road trip has you stopping in Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as you make your way through Montana and Wyoming. 

• Route: Glacier Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks
• At a glance: Glacier – Yellowstone – Grand Teton
• Distance: 450 miles
• Duration: 1 week or longer depending on the time you want to spend in each park
• When to go: April to September

This route brings you through three of the best National Parks in the U.S. beginning in Montana, and heading south into Wyoming. Give yourself a minimum of 2 full days to explore each of these famous National Parks and allow an extra day in between each for driving time. 

Start your road trip at Glacier National Park in Montana where the highlights include driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, wildlife spotting and plenty of incredible hiking. If you’re up for an overnight backpacking adventure, hike the Highline Trail to get off the beaten tourist path and see some of the best views in the park.  

From Glacier you can reach the west entrance of Yellowstone in just 6 hours and 30 minutes. 

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the U.S. and probably one of the most well-known, next to the Grand Canyon. The park is home to some of the most unique ecosystems in the world.

Don’t miss the drive down Yellowstone’s scenic loop road where you’ll pass by geysers, encounter wildlife, and witness geologic sites like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

Finally, make your way south for just about 30 miles to reach Grand Tetons National Park and your third stop on this incredible USA road trip. 

Famous for the snow-capped jagged peaks of the Tetons Mountain Range, excellent chances for spotting wildlife, alpine lakes in brilliant shades of blue, and plenty of opportunities for adventure, Grand Teton National Park isn’t overrated in the slightest. 

Be sure to check out some of the best Grand Teton hikes while you’re there to really experience the beauty of this place. 

• Get the best views of Glacier National Park while driving the Going-the-Sun-Road
• Spot a moose or some buffalo in the wild
• Take a chilly dip in a glacial lake
• Drive Yellowstone’s Scenic Loop Road, circumnavigating the entire park
• Photograph the rainbow colors of Grand Prismatic Spring
• Watch Old Faithful erupt on time
• Hit the trails in Grand Teton National Park

Hawaii & Alaska Road Trips

Get out of the continental USA for a road trip of your dreams!

In Hawaii, your road trip will have shorter distances, but with stops for fresh poke and shave ice plus epic sunset views, this small state packs in a ton of adventure!

And up in Alaska you’ll drive some of the most remote roads in the USA. This is the perfect state for a road trip through epic wilderness without the crowds.

• The Dalton Highway
• Denali to Kenai
• Hawaii’s Big Island Road Trip
• Road to Hana, Maui

16. The Dalton Highway

Take a drive into the Arctic wilderness as you follow the famed Ice Road from Fairbanks to the Deadhorse, Alaska.

• Route: The Dalton Highway – The Ice Road
• At a glance: Fairbanks – Yukon River – Arctic Circle – Coldfoot – Deadhorse
• Distance: 828 miles
• Duration: 4 Days 
• When to go: June to August – The summer provides the most daylight and the conditions are most favorable for driving the road. 

Before heading up the Dalton Highway, one of Alaska’s most remote roads, you need to be prepared. The Dalton is a remote grave 2-lane highway. The primary use of this road is to haul oil drilling supplies from Fairbanks to the oilfields of the Northern Slope of Alaska . The speed limit is 50 m.p.h.

The weather here is unpredictable, so you need to be ready for snow at any time. There are four gas stations on the road and NO CELL SERVICE. If this hasn’t scared you off yet, get ready for an adventure…

Your trip up the Dalton Highway starts in Fairbanks, Alaska. First learn about Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8 and view the Alaskan Pipeline exhibit. 

Upon departing Fairbanks, follow the Elliot Highway until Livengood. From here you will be on the haul road. 

Your first big stop will be at the famed Yukon River. The river bank has thick mud that really likes to eat shoes. Depending on the salmon run, you may see locals harvesting salmon. Across the road from the camp is a small overlook with great views of the bridge.

Up next is Milepost 115 and the Arctic Circle. Be sure to take a picture with the sign. There is a campground and restrooms here. You will pass several scenic lakes and stops as you reach Coldfoot Camp and the halfway point of the Dalton. 

Next, get ready to cross the Brooks Mountain range through Atigun Pass. This is the highest point on the road and the most dangerous spot. 

The landscape will start to open up and you will start being able to see for miles. Keep an eye out for Musk Ox. There are several small herds on the way to Deadhorse. 

Once at Deadhorse, you are at the end of the road. You will need to arrange a tour if you would like to get to the shore of the Arctic Ocean. 

From here, turn around and head back the way you came.

• Gold Dredge 8 and the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline to learn about the mining and drilling history of Alaska
• Walk down to the edge of the Yukon River and watch the water flow
• Check out the unique rock formations at Finger Mountain
• Get your photograph taken at the Arctic Circle
• Have lunch at Coldfood Café which is seen on Ice Road Truckers
• Tour Weisman and learn what life above the Arctic Circle is life
• Take a tour to Prudhoe Bay and learn about the oilfield and see the Arctic Ocean

Contributed by: Jennifer Melroy from National Park Obsessed

17. Denali to Kenai

This scenic road trip itinerary takes you through some of the most stunning landscape of Alaska, from the snow-covered peaks of Denali National Park to the glaciers and fjords of Kenai.

• Route: 7 Days in Alaska: Denali to Kenai
• At a glance: Anchorage – Denali – Anchorage – Seward – Kenai
• Distance: Around 800 miles
• Duration: 7 Days
• When to go: Mid-May to mid-September is the best time to visit Alaska, with July and August as the “warmest” months (and the busiest) when temperatures reach 60°F to 80°F. 

Your road trip starts with a drive 4 hours north from Anchorage to Denali National Park where you can admire the majestic Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), the highest mountain peak in North America.

At visit the park offers a chance to spot grizzlies, moose and other wildlife. Other opportunities for epic adventures include hiking, white water rafting, off-roading, zipline tours, and aerial tours of Denali.

Head back to Anchorage and learn about Alaska Native traditions at the Anchorage Native Heritage Center . 

Finally, drive straight south past Anchorage for 2.5 hours to the Kenai Peninsula for a chance to visit Kenai Fjords National Park. Don’t miss a hike to the Exit Glacier, and take a cruise through the Kenai Fjords.

Return to Anchorage when you’re ready for your road trip to come to an end. 

• Join a ranger-guided tour at the Denali National Park and learn about the fantastic wildlife
• Go on a flightseeing tour to admire Denali from up close
• Take a heli-hiking tour to explore the Alaskan backcountry
• Visit the Anchorage Native Heritage Center
• Try salmon jerky or jams made of local berries like salmonberries, lingonberries, or cloudberries
• Catch dinner by salmon fishing on the Kenai Peninsula
• Hike on the Glacier Overlook Trail of Exit Glacier
• Board a cruise to see whales, seals, and sea lions on Resurrection Bay

Contributed by: Patricia from Ze Wandering Frogs

18. Hawaii’s Big Island Road Trip

This road trip takes you through every single landscape you can imagine: From the rough volcanic rocks at Hawai’i Volcano National Park to the stunning beaches of Captain Cook and right up to a stargazing oasis at the volcano Mauna Kea.

• Route: Big Island & Volcano National Park
• At a glance: Hilo – Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park – Captain Cook – Kona – Mauna Kea
• Distance: 187 miles
• Duration: 2 Days
• When to go: All year around: Big Island has a climate that works from January till December. 

Start in the cute little village of Hilo, where you can stock up on your food supplies before you head right into the Hawai’i Volcano National Park. 

The park is easy to drive through and it’s up to you how long you want to stay here. You could definitely easily spend an entire week here, hiking and exploring, but if you only have a couple of days on Big Island you can squeeze the highlights into half a day. 

Once the day ends, you will have reached Kona, where you can chill at the beach the next day. Don’t forget to get ready for sunset at the most epic spot ever: Mauna Kea. The volcano not only has the perfect sunset setting, but also a free stargazing event that takes place several days a week. Do check their website for the most accurate information. 

• Have a burger at the Hilo Burger Joint
• Attend the stargazing event at Mauna Kea
• Go for a helicopter flight above Big Island’s volcanoes and opt-in for the open door flight 
• Make sure to go on at least a short hike at Hawai’i Volcano National Park
• Look out for turtles at the beaches around Kona

Contributed by: Anne Steinbach & Clemens Sehi from Travellers Archive

19. Road to Hana, Maui

This tropical road trip through winds around the east side of Maui, Hawaii, taking you through quaint surf towns and showing off the gorgeous coastline with ample hiking opportunities.

• Route: The Road to Hana, Maui
• At a glance: Paia – Haiku – Hana – Kaupo  
• Distance: 64.4 miles
• Duration: 1 day travel time
• When to go: It’s Hawaii so the weather is generally perfect year round. During the summer months, it is much busier than other times of the year. 

Start your drive in Paia, a cute surfer town on Maui’s north shore. Get breakfast at Charley’s to start the day. They have monster pancakes and some of the cajun Ono eggs benedict on the island. 

If you have time, do some shopping. Paia has lots of funky boutiques with surf gear and clothing. Don’t forget to grab some snacks from Mana Foods before you head out.  

Next, take a break at Twin Falls just up the road from Paia. They have some really nice and easy hiking trails and waterfalls. With fresh coconut water, smoothies, and homemade banana bread, the snack stand there is also quite popular. 

Waianapanapa State Park is another great stopping point along the way and not far from Hana. This 122-acre state park is known for its beautiful black sand beach but don’t miss the lava tubes or freshwater caves. 

Once in Hana, relax for a bit. Go to the spa at Travaasa Hana , check out the Hana Beach Park or enjoy shopping at the local art galleries.

The drive is long and I’d highly recommend spending the night in Hana before making your way back. There is one major hotel, Travaasa Hana, vacation rentals, and places to camp overnight.

• An easy but beautiful waterfall hike at Twin Falls 
• Take your time and pull over at overlooks to take in the incredible views
• Stop at Nahiku Marketplace (Mile Marker 29) if you get hungry. There are lots of different food trucks serving everything from Thai food to shave ice.  
• Kīpahulu District of Haleakala National Park is just 12 miles past Hana and a must visit. Hike the Pīpīwai Trail (4 miles) to see gorgeous waterfalls, a bamboo forest, and a giant banyan tree
• The White Pocket, which is an awesome alternative to The Wave

Contributed by: Emily Hines from Em’s on the Road

Midwest USA Roadtrips

Don’t skip over the Midwest, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find. 

From the shores of the Great Lakes to the historic Route 66, when road tripping through the Midwest you’ll meet some of the nicest people in the US. 

Summer and autumn are the best times to take a trip, but they are also the most popular.

• Route 66 Road Trip
• North Shore Lake Superior, Minnesota
• Amish Country Byway, Ohio

20. Route 66 Road Trip

One of the world’s most famous driving routes, this USA road trip takes you through small town America and the former Wild West.

• Route: Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles
• At a glance: Chicago – St. Louis – Carthage – Clinton – Tucumcari – Gallup – Seligman – San Bernardino – Los Angeles
• Distance: 2400 miles
• Duration: 8 days
• When to go: Spring and Fall – the route will be less busy and not so hot, but pleasant for sightseeing and driving

Route 66 starts in Chicago, and you’ll want to get going early as you have a long way to drive in a week. Your first day has you driving through Illinois, with highlights including the Rabbit Ranch in Staunton and the Cozy Dogs in Springfield.

Stay overnight in St. Louis where you’ll want to at least visit the arch, before heading on to the world famous Meramec Caverns. We’d also recommend a stop at the Mule Trading Post and Route 66 Car Museum. Spend your second night in Carthage, MO.

On day 3, follow the Route from Carthage with a stop in Galena, Kansas, to see the tow truck that inspired Mater in the movie “Cars”. Continue on into Oklahoma to see one of our favorite stops, the Blue Whale, then overnight in Clinton.

From Clinton, you’ll drive across a sliver of Texas and into New Mexico. You can spend the night at Tucumcari, home to some of the best preserved Route 66 motels. 

On day 5, be sure to stop in Albuquerque where Route 66 crosses itself. We also recommend a stop at the Continental Divide, before overnighting in Gallup.

Day 6 has you crossing through Arizona, with stops at Petrified Forest National Park, the “Here it is!” sign and the town of Flagstaff. Spend the night in Seligman.

The following day you’ll enter your final state: California. Make sure to stop in the town of Oatman for a Wild West show before spending the night in San Bernardino.

On your final day, you’ll be arriving at the end of the road in Los Angeles. Well done! If you want a more detailed version of this route, check out our complete 8 day Route 66 itinerary .

• See The Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois
• Visit the Blue Whale in Catoosa
• See the “Here it Is!” sign near Holbrook, AZ
• Eat all kinds of incredible food
• Visit one of the many Route 66 museums along the Route

Contributed by: Laurence from Finding The Universe

21. North Shore Lake Superior, Minnesota

Minnesota’s scenic Highway 61 follows the shoreline of the Great Lake from Duluth, Minnesota all the way into Ontario, Canada. Dubbed simply “the North Shore,” this region of Lake Superior is known for scenic trails, historic sites and untouched wilderness.

• Route: North Shore of Lake Superior: Minneapolis to Grand Marais
• At a glance: Minneapolis – Duluth – Two Harbors – Grand Marais
• Distance: 264 miles
• Duration: 3 – 4 days, you can make the drive in 4.5 hours but you’ll want to stay a few days.
• When to go: May – October. Summertime is nice because you’ll have long days, but the fall is the best because it’s the peak season for fall foliage and leaves changing colors.

While there are so many things to do in Minneapolis , head north out of the city and make the quick 2 hour drive up to Duluth, MN, the farest west port city of the Great Lakes.

Duluth is a fun college town with some serious character. Explore the brick downtown or head down to Canal Park to watch the historic Lift Bridge operate, allowing cargo ships to pass underneath. 

Grab a burger and beer at Grandma’s Saloon or Fitger’s Brewhouse for dinner. Then stay the night, or continue up the north shore taking in the coastal view of Lake Superior until the town of Two Harbors. 

Pop into the Northshore Pizza cafe for a bite to eat or visit Castle Danger Brewery (one of our favorite brews in MN).

Be sure to stop at Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls (very easy 0.5 mile hike to the lower falls) on your way up to Grand Marais.

Spend a night or two in Grand Marais. Get a donut at the World’s Best Donut Shop and a slice of pizza from the iconic Sven and Ole’s (get a sticker while you’re there!). For a nicer meal, the seasonally-open Angry Trout is a good choice, and if you want a morning Bloody Mary, you won’t find any better than at the Gunflint Tavern .

• Watch as cargo ships come into Duluth harbor and see the iconic Lift Bridge rise to let them in
• Get smoked fish from a local market along the way
• Stop at Split Rock Lighthouse
• Skip rocks into Lake Superior (the largest freshwater lake in the world!)
• See Gooseberry Falls
• Grab a beer at Castle Danger Brewing near Two Harbors, and Voyager Brewing in Grand Marais
• Take a gondola ride at Lutsen Ski Resort (in the summer or fall months), or go skiing in the winter months
• If you’re not camping, we highly recommend staying at The Hungry Hippie Farm & Hostel !

22. Amish Country Byway, Ohio

This Northeast Ohio road trip travels over rolling hills and past Amish farms. The Amish Country Byway is a designated federal Scenic Byway.  The roads of the Amish Country Byway share the story of the simple life of the Amish and Mennonites and allow visitors to explore this quiet part of Ohio.

• Route: Amish Country Byway
• At a glance: Various routes throughout Holmes County, Ohio make up the Amish Country Byway (Map)
• Distance: 160 miles
• Duration: At least 2 days
• When to go: May – November; May and November are considered the shoulder-season and travelers will find smaller crowds and less traffic. Due to the religious nature of this area, most attractions are closed on Sunday.

Begin your journey near Berlin, Ohio at Behalt. This cyclorama, known as the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center, shares the history of the Amish culture and their journey from Europe to NE Ohio.

Continue north on County Rd 77 to Heini’s Cheese. Weekday visitors will have a chance to see cheese being produced and sample numerous flavors of this local delicacy.

Next, take US 62 North to Ohio 515 South. Stop and taste Trail Bologna, owned by the same family since 1912. Locals send this bologna to friends and family all over the world.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Amish, make sure to stop at Yoder’s Amish Home. Tours include a typical Amish home, an Amish school, and a horse and buggy ride. This is a great place to apply what was learned at Behalt!

• Looking to sample more cheese? Don’t miss the world-famous baby swiss at Guggisberg Cheese, located near Charm.
• Interested in glass collection? Millersburg Glass was crafted in Millersburg, Ohio for only 3 years, and its carnival glass is known for its brilliant coloring. The Millersburg Glass Museum has a full collection of the glass, plus tells the story of founder, John Fenton. This is one of the few attractions open on Sundays during the high season.
• Historic downtown Millersburg is home to antique shops, small eateries, and a brewery.  
• If visiting during the fall, the Hershberger Farm and Market offers a pumpkin patch.  

Contributed by: Leah Yoder from Yoder Toter Blog

Southern USA Road Trips

Welcome to southern hospitality at its finest. Cruise through lands where the sky is big and so are the BBQ’s! 

If you’re into having a beverage or two, take your pick of distilleries, breweries and moonshine-ries. Travel here in the springtime to enjoy the blooming flowers and avoid the heat of the summer.

• Dallas to San Antonio
• Louisiana to Florida
• Great Smoky Mountains
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail

23. Dallas to San Antonio, Texas Road Trip

This Texas road trip takes you to Enchanted Rock State Park, through the pseudo-German town of Fredericksburg, San Antonio, often called the “Venice” of Texas, and Austin.

• Route: A Texas Road trip
• At a glance: Dallas – Enchanted Rock – Fredericksburg – San Antonio – Austin
• Distance: 415 miles
• When to go: March to June; Spring is the best time for this road trip as the medians along the highways are covered with wildflowers and the Texas state flower bluebonnets are in bloom.  It is a great time for hiking on the Enchanted Rock.

Begin your journey in Dallas. Spend a day exploring the metroplex and enjoying some BBQ. In the evening head out towards Enchanted Rock in the Hill Country, 250 miles Southwest of Dallas. 

Enchanted Rock State Park’s massive pink granite dome has drawn hikers and rock climbers to climb the magical rock formations for years. The following morning is a great time to attempt this hike. 

Next, drive to Fredericksburg which is home to more than 20 wineries, second only to Napa in the United States. Sample some German beer and bratwurst and peruse the many quaint shops.  

Afterwards you’ll want to head up towards San Antonio. 

Just North of the city, stop by the Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest known commercial caverns in the state of Texas.  Within the city limits you have The Riverwalk, Fiesta Texas, the Alamo, San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags and The Pearl. You can spend an entire week here, but plan for at least 2 days.

Austin, the capital of Texas, is an hour and 30 minutes away and there is so much to do here . From shopping on funky South Congress Avenue to stand-up paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake and seeing live music, not to mention the best tacos in Texas.

Once you’ve had your fill, make your way down to Austin from San Antonio. Be sure to make time on the drive between the cities for a shopping spree at The San Marcos Outlets, which feature some designer stores.

If you have more time, explore the Texas Hill Country which is home to over 45 wineries, vineyards and lavender fields. 

• Taste the best BBQ in Dallas
• Scale the massive pink granite dome in Enchanted Rock State Park
• Sample some German beer and bratwurst in Fredericksburg
• Enjoy the Riverwalk and a boat ride in the canals in San Antonio 
• Designer Outlet shopping in San Marcos
• Explore the Texas State Capitol Complex at the Texas Capitol Visitors Center in Austin

Contributed by: Priya from Outside Suburbia

24. Louisiana to Florida Road Trip

This cultural road trip along the US Gulf Coast brings you through the heart and southern soul of coastal Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, some of the lesser explored areas of the United States.

• Route: Gulf Coast Road Trip from Louisiana to Florida
• At a glance: Lafayette, LA – New Orleans, LA – Mobile, AL – Gulf Shores, AL – Tallahassee, FL – Wakulla Springs, FL – Crystal River, FL
• Distance: 685 miles
• Duration: 10-15 days
• When to go: May through October with summer shoulder months of May and September being ideal with less traffic.

The Gulf Coast of the southern United States from Louisiana to central Florida has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Not only is there interesting American history, the distinct culture along the Gulf Coast is like nowhere else in the world.

If you love local food, you’ll love the fresh seafood in this region, just one of the reasons a Gulf Coast road trip is always a great idea.  

Start your trip in Lafayette, Louisiana, where you’ll find Louisiana’s original good time town. The Acadiana (Cajun) culture is evident here in everything from the local food to the dance halls where any night of the week you’ll find welcoming crowds who will happily teach you the local zydeco moves! 

Just an hour away in nearby New Orleans is where the party really starts…and lasts for days.

Spend a day tasting the local flavor then drive out into the country and explore the River Road plantations, some of which offer interesting and poignant tours of the Antebellum history of New Orleans. 

Psst! Read this ethical guide to plantation tours to gain a better understanding and find the tours that combat racism through education. 

An hour east of the Big Easy (aka New Orleans) is the gracious southern city of Mobile, Alabama. A trip through here deserves a few days of boat tours, vintage thrift shopping, and eating their famous Alabama shrimp and oysters. 

Afterwards, head for the beach in nearby Gulf Shores, Alabama, just an hour away. Alabama truly has some of the most beautiful beaches along the Gulf Coast, and natural wildlife you can enjoy from a boat or kayak. The white sand beaches here are spectacular. 

From here, head to Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee and explore the Spanish history the state was founded on. Just 20 miles south of Tallahassee is Wakulla Springs, a natural warm crystal spring where you can swim and relax, and even stay a night or two.

Next, head further down the Gulf Coast to the town of Crystal River, where summertime is scallop season. Grab your snorkel and fins and head out on a scalloping tour to gather up your own scallop feast for dinner!

• Lafayette, Louisiana is a foodie’s dream and there’s always a fun festival to attend. A visit to Avery Island and the TABASCO factory is a must. Plus, if you haven’t tried a drive-thru daiquiri, here’s your chance!
• New Orleans is a must-see along this trip, whether you have a day or more. Spend the day in the French Quarter, grab some beignets and pralines and stroll to your heart’s content.
• Tallahassee, Florida is a hip University town with great farm-to-table restaurants, awesome vintage stores, and a thriving art scene. Don’t miss the fun and funky Railroad Square Art Park!
• Wakulla Springs, Florida offers a great chance to cool off from the heat in one of Florida’s most beautiful natural crystal springs.
• Crystal River, Florida is home to the Florida manatee, but summertime is scallop season and a must-eat when you’re in town!

Contributed by: Lori Sorrentino from Travlinmad

25. Great Smoky Mountains Road Trip

This epic road trip through the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains takes you through one of the most gorgeous national parks and best roads in the country. 

• Route: Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
• At a glance: Gatlinburg – Cataloochee Valley – Asheville – Mount Mitchell – Linville Falls
• Distance: 130 miles
• When to go: Spring for Wildlife; Fall for Foliage

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans between Tennessee and North Carolina and has always been one of my favorite places in the world. The perfect one-week road trip starts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, traveling to Asheville, North Carolina through the Smoky Mountains before hopping on the Blue Ridge Parkway and heading North to Linville Falls.

Gatlinburg is a great starting point for this road trip because it has a little something for everybody: moonshine distilleries, restaurants, themed attractions, beautiful wildlife, and scenery. I would spend two days here.

For the first day, check out the town of Gatlinburg, the trails near town including the ghost town of Elkmont, Roaring Fork Motor Trail and more. 

On the second day, I would spend exploring Cades Cove. Cades Cove is an 11-mile paved loop where you can drive or bike the loop while making stops along the way and exploring the trails. Here is your best chance of seeing black bears!

There are so many beautiful spots between Gatlinburg and Asheville. See the elk in Cataloochee Valley, visit Soco Falls (right off the road), and several other gorgeous locations. Next stop is Asheville – one of the best cities in the South in my opinion. Don’t miss checking out local breweries, touring Biltmore Estate, the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar.

On the way to Linville Falls, North Carolina, you’ll pretty much be on the Blue Ridge Parkway the entire way and you’ll find yourself stopping often for the views. A few of my favorite spots included Mount Mitchell and Little Switzerland. 

Once in Linville Falls, the Falls, Gorge, and Caverns are all absolutely breathtaking and worth checking out. Using Linville Falls as a base, take your second day here to explore Grandfather Mountain, Boone, and Blowing Rock.

• See black bears in Cades Cove 
• Visit the abandoned ghost town of Elkmont
• See elk in Cataloochee Valley
• Visit a unique bookstore in Asheville that also doubles as a champagne bar
• Visit Little Switzerland to fill your Bavarian-themed town quota
• Hike the Craggy Gardens Overlook at sunrise but be prepared to be brought to tears 

Contributed by: Ashley Hubbard from Wild Hearted

26. Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Who doesn’t love a nice glass of bourbon? On the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, you tour 16 different distilleries, try multiple bourbons (and other treats) at each, and take in tons of bottled up history throughout the gorgeous Bluegrass state. 

• Route: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail 
• At a glance: Lexington – Frankfort – Louisville – Owensboro (with some smaller towns in between) 
• Distance: 250ish miles (depending on order of distilleries)
• When to go: Late spring or early fall, as many of the distilleries shut down during the hot summer months. 

While there is no official route for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, I recommend picking either Lexington or Louisville as a “home base” for the experience, as all of the distilleries are within a few hours drive of these cities (some are mere minutes!). 

Each day, pick 4-5 distilleries to visit, starting when they open in the morning and touring until they close.

I usually try to do the distilleries that are closest together on the same days (less driving and easier to get from one place to another). If you’re a serious drinker, there are some bus tours that will chauffeur you throughout the Trail so you don’t have to worry about driving. 

You’re never given more than about 2 ounces of alcohol at each distillery, but you may want a designated driver just in case.

On the drive between distilleries, you’ll see the rolling hills of Kentucky, some of our famous horse farms, and, of course, brick houses holding millions of gallons of the delicious spirit. 

• Dip your very own bottle of Maker’s Mark at Maker’s Mark Distillery
• Drink bourbon barrel aged beer at Town Branch Distillery in Lexington 
• Pose with a giant Louisville Slugger near Angels Envy in Louisville 
• Experience what it was like to access a Prohibition Era speakeasy at the Evan Williams Experience
• Live like Matthew McConaughey at Wild Turkey Distillery
• Visit the stone warehouses at Woodford Reserve 

Contributed by: KB Gamblin from Her Life in Ruins

Eastern USA Road Trips

Cute oceanside towns and major metropolises alike dot the East Coast. This is where you’ll find some of the country’s oldest buildings and most historic neighborhoods. 

Eat all the seafood you can handle, and soak up the quaint fishing village vibes.

And you won’t have to drive too far from any major city to get into the beautiful countryside. Visiting this region in the autumn months will reward you with stunning fall foliage.

• Southern Florida Road Trip
• Miami to Savannah
• Golden Isles of Georgia
• New York State Road Trip
• New England Coast

27. Southern Florida Road Trip

This road trip will take you all over South Florida, from cities to small towns and swamps to beaches.  It’s the best of Florida with plenty of time off the beaten path.

• Route: South Florida National Parks and Outdoors
• At a glance: Miami – Everglades City – Homestead – Key Largo – Key West – Miami
• Distance: 465(ish) miles
• Duration: 10 days
• When to go: January to mid-March; the weather is coolest then, but still hot, and the bugs are minimal, but still around.

Flying in and out Miami will be easiest for this South Florida road trip . Start here before heading over to Everglades City on Alligator Alley.  Spend the night camping in Big Cypress National Preserve or in a hotel in Everglades city if you’re not a camper.  Make sure to book far in advance for that.

With Everglades City as your base, visit Fakahatchee Strand State Park, Florida Panther Preserve, 10,000 Islands, and Big Cypress National Preserve. Spend a few days exploring the area before heading back to the east in Homestead.  

From Homestead, visit the main area of Everglades National Park. Look for wildlife on the Anhinga Trail, stop at the boardwalks, and take a boat or kayak tour at the Flamingo area. This is a great base for visiting Biscayne National Park, too.  

Next up is the Keys. Spend a night on Key Largo and take a day to drive down to Key West making stops along the way at beaches and John Pennekamp State Park. Make sure to do some snorkeling. 

And you can’t forget about the food scene in the Keys because it is delicious! The flavors of the Caribbean are added to the freshly caught fish, you really can’t go wrong!

Finally, before heading back to Miami, spend a couple of days in Key West and go to Dry Tortugas National Park for a day.  

• Hike to the Fakahatchee Hilton and admire the gator pond out back
• Explore Big Cypress National Preserve and sleep under the stars (if that’s your thing)
• Look for wildlife on the Anhinga Trail and a boat trip in Everglades National Park
• Take a boat tour to the islands in Biscayne National Park
• Visit the John Pennekamp State Park on your way to Key West
• Take the ferry or seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park for a day 
• Explore Miami and see the Wynwood Walls

Contributed by: Megan Johnson from Red Around The World

28. Miami to Savannah, Georgia East Coast Road Trip

This beautiful road trip takes you through the East coast of Florida and in to Georgia via some of the region’s most iconic cities, charming small towns and gorgeous islands.

• Route: Miami to Savannah via the big cities, small towns and beautiful islands
• At a glance: Miami – Orlando – New Smyrna Beach – Amelia Island – Jekyll Island – Saint Simons Island – Savannah
• Distance: 600 miles
• When to go: Autumn. Go when the summer crowds have left the sunshine state but the weather is still balmy and you can enjoy the beaches and coastline.

Start your road trip in Miami for some beautiful beaches and stunning art deco buildings. However long you spend here it won’t be long enough but enjoy the buzz of the city and the vibrant experiences on offer.

Head up the coastline to Orlando for some theme park fun or to take in some of the amusements of the area. There’s something here for everyone whether you’re into roller coasters or some of the natural springs you can view from glass-bottomed boats. 

For an extra bit of adventure, head toward the ocean where you will find the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge which is known as one of the best places to go bioluminescent kayaking in Florida . This is a pretty spectacular phenomenon that’s well worth a spot on your itinerary.

From there, it’s only a short hop to New Smyrna Beach on the coastline. Stop off at Kennedy Space Center to get your fix of rockets and space shuttles before small town America beckons. 

New Smyrna Beach will feel a world away from the bright lights of Miami and Orlando. Enjoy the windswept beaches which have turtles nesting on them if you’re there in the right season. It’s also a great location from which to see dolphins in the wild.

Further up the coastline Amelia Island is a beautiful final Floridian stop off with the longest stretch of beach and a lovely old school feel. There’s a simplicity to life here which is refreshing and uplifting.

It’s just around the final edge of Florida and into Georgia for the next island stop off of Jekyll Island. Once the playground of the rich and famous it fell out of favor for a time. Now it’s a lovely retreat and with beaches including the stunning Driftwood Beach it’s a lovely place to cycle around with Spanish Moss-covered trees creating the perfect shade. 

Saint Simons Island has a real feel-good factor with shopping arcades and a wonderful playground that spills out onto the sand if you’re traveling with kids. There’s more going on here and it’s the perfect contrast to Jekyll Island.

Finish off in Savannah where the antebellum houses sit grandly and wide streets and gorgeous public parks call for impromptu picnics. 

• Don’t miss Little Havana, the Cuban district of Miami, known for bright colors and cool vibes
• Silver Springs just outside of Orlando is a great place to get some retro USA vibes going
• Visit Indian River Lagoon to try and spot bottlenose dolphins at New Smyrna Beach
• Stop off in the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah to clamber aboard historic carriages
• Eat great Asian fusion food in Vault, Savannah

Contributed by: Nichola West from Globalmouse Travels

29. Golden Isles of Georgia

This peaceful coastal road trip through Georgia’s Sea Islands brings you to a quaint beach town, 5-star resort, massive state park, and National Seashore.  

• Route: Georgia Sea Islands
• At a glance: St. Simons Island – Sea Island – Jekyll Island – Cumberland Island
• When to go: Late spring or early fall. Avoid summer to save cash and steer clear of crowds. April-May is a beautiful time to visit this area because the spring blooms will be in full force and the brunt of the summer heat won’t have hit yet. Early fall is great too because it is still warm enough to hit the beaches and the bugs won’t be as bad.

Begin your journey in St. Simons Island and spend your time biking on the island-wide bike paths covered by the shade of an incredible live oak canopy. 

Grab award-winning BBQ at Southern Soul before hitting the beach. As one of the first colonial outposts in the United States, the island is the perfect mix of coastal scenery, great local restaurants, cool boutiques, and history. 

If you’re looking for some luxurious R&R head to Sea Island and the fabulous Cloister Resort, the only Forbes Five Diamond Resort in Georgia. Book a room at the hotel, visit their incredible spa and dine like royalty.  

Jekyll Island is the next stop on this road trip and the next island south of St. Simons and Sea Island. Once a winter escape for New England’s elite, Jekyll is now a state park so it is far less developed than St. Simons and Sea Island.

Bike around the island and take a picnic to the famous Driftwood Beach. Tour the historic Jekyll Island Club resort and neighboring historic district before grabbing some Wild Georgia Shrimp at The Wharf on the waterfront.

The last stop on the trip is Cumberland Island, Georgia, one of the nation’s National Seashores. The largest barrier island on Georgia’s coast has acres of untouched maritime forests, beaches, and marshes. 

Camp beneath the live oak canopy or stay at the exquisite all-inclusive Greyfield Inn, once home to the Carnegie family. 

• Sample some of Georgia’s best BBQ at Southern Soul in St. Simons Island, Georgia  
• Climb the 129 stairs of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse for an incredible view 
• Dine like royalty with a multi-course tasting menu in the Forbes Five Star Georgian Room at Sea Island’s Cloister Resort 
• See the eerie Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
• Visit the church where JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy married on Cumberland Island, Georgia 
• Explore the Carnegie’s Dungeness Mansion ruins on Cumberland Island   

30. New York State Road Trip

This road trip through the Lower and Mid-Hudson Valley of New York is not only beautiful but showcases the history of the Hudson Valley through architecture, tradition and art. It inspires and educates through the most breathtaking area in the North East of the United States.

• Route: Lower to Mid-Hudson Valley, NY from Tarrytown to Highland
• At a glance: Tarrytown – Tuxedo – New Windsor – Newburgh – Highland
• Distance: 73.6 miles
• Duration: 3-4 days
• When to go: September (weekends); Late summer/Early Autumn is the best time for this road trip, as that is when the Annual NY Renaissance Fair takes place and the weather is more agreeable for outdoor exploration.

Begin your journey at Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, NY and spend a few hours taking a tour of the mansion and exploring the grounds. Visit the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse and take in the views of the Majestic Hudson River. Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are wonderful places to have dinner.

Next, head North over the ‘Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge’ or the “New Tappan Zee Bridge” towards Rockland County, where you can stop off to shop at the famous Palisades Mall or Spend the Day at the NY Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, NY.

The next stop is the Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY. This massive open-air Museum and Sculpture Park is a must see when in the area. After exploring the grounds of Storm King, a quick drive to Newburgh is in order for a view of the Hudson River from Washington’s Headquarters.

Lastly, for those interested in a one-of-a-kind experience, a visit to the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park is in order. This is the World’s Longest Pedestrian Bridge.

• Take a tour of Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, NY
• Eat and enjoy a day full of Entertainment at the NY Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, NY
• Explore enormous sculptures at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY.
• Learn all about the area’s history at the Washington’s Headquarters Historic Site in Newburgh, NY
• Walk over the Hudson River at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park.

Contributed by: Jackie Ramirez from Hudson Valley Exposed

Psst! If you’re going to be passing through the Big Apple on your way to upstate New York, be sure to read our article with the best things to do in NYC .

31. New England Coast Road Trip

Thanks to its scenic beauty and rich history, New England is the perfect road trip destination – as long as you wait until after the snow melts. 

Driving straight from Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine, the town adjacent to Acadia National Park, takes about 6 hours. However, to do this trip right, you’ll probably want to take at least a week (and eat a lot of lobster along the way!).

• Route: Scenic New England – from Boston, Massachusetts to Acadia National Park in Maine
• At a glance: Boston – Salem – Portsmouth – Bar Harbor (You’ll follow Route 1 north for most of the trip.)
• Distance: 269 miles
• Duration: 7-10 days
• When to go: April to October; this is a great route to see some fall foliage

Once the snow and ice melt, I love nothing more than getting out of Boston for a few days and exploring New England’s beautiful beaches and charming towns. Driving straight from Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine (my favorite route) usually takes about 6 hours.

First up along the coast is the North Shore of Massachusetts, which is jam-packed with things to do. 

Historic Salem is definitely worth a stop for its kitschy witch-themed attractions, and so is Gloucester for its Fisherman’s Memorial. The streets of both Rockport and Newburyport are lined with galleries, restaurants and shops, and if you’re looking for beaches, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Crane Beach are two of the best.

Passing briefly through New Hampshire, you should spend at least a few hours strolling around Portsmouth. There are lots of great craft breweries in and around the city.

Crossing into Maine, Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach are popular vacation destinations in the summer, and if you’re an L.L. Bean fan, then you can’t miss the flagship store in Freeport. 

Portland has the region’s hottest restaurant scene, so you’ll want to plan at least a meal or two there.

Once you arrive in Bar Harbor, you’ll need a few days to relax and see the sights in and around Acadia National Park. If you’re feeling ambitious, head up to Cadillac Mountain and watch the spectacular sunrise!

• Stop by the witch-themed attractions in Salem
• Check out Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester
• Enjoy the beach at Crane Beach and Manchester-by-the-Sea
• Stroll around Portsmouth and drink a craft beer or two
• Watch the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain

Contributed by: Brianne Miers from A Traveling Life

A special Thank You to Moon Travel Guides for sponsoring this article.

You may also like…

• How to Plan an Epic USA Road Trip
• Tips for an Eco-Friendly Road Trip
• Money-Saving Tips for a Cheap Road Trip Across the USA
• Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

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We want to hear from you!

Where has your favorite road trip taken you? Do you have any of these USA road trips planned out soon? Let us know in the comments below!

Comments (33) on “ 31 USA Road Trip Ideas + Tips ”

Love these road trip ideas! Can’t wait to try out the Pacific Coast Highway route. The photography tips are especially helpful. Great post! 🚗📸

I love road trips! I’m so excited to try out some of these ideas!

It’s really important to be ready all the time when doing a road trip and totally agree with all the guide you shared. Thanks for sharing.

Next December we will go out on the road with a group, and that’s why I am doing research. I found your post and just read it. I really learned a lot. Many thanks.

Oh neat! I wonder if I can get my friends to go on the NYS roadtrip with me. I’ve been wanting to do a roadtrip for a whileeee

That would be such a fun trip with friends! I don’t think it’ll take much to convince them to go on a road trip once it’s safe again!

So many of these have been on my bucket list for a couple of years now. I think if our current lock down situation has taught me anything, it’s that I should just plan them and get out there once it’s safe.

Oh we know what you mean! We’ve had to cancel some trips, so I can’t wait until it’s safe to travel again and we can reschedule! SO many places I’m excited to go, and I won’t be taking the freedom to spontaneously plan a trip for granted anymore!

These look so amazing!! I’m a non-driver, but I’ve always wanted to do a USA road trip – I’m not sure if I’d be able to choose between these! Maybe one day… Thanks for sharing!

I know what you mean – Ben does most of the driving! Road trips are one of my favorite ways to travel though because it lets you go at your own pace and allows you to stop in places you otherwise never would. Happy you enjoyed this article!

I would absolutely love to do an Alaska road trip! Those wild landscapes are something I’ve always wanted to see. Was meant to be on a west coast road trip now but sadly it got pushed back. Maybe when I do get round to doing it I’ll combine it with an Alaska road trip! Thanks for sharing, such beautiful suggestions! 🙂

That is one of our dreams too! We were planning to travel to Alaska this summer, but sadly, that’ll probably be put on hold. Just happy to know all these places will still be there when it is safe to travel again!

This is a great list and this is all I needed.during my visit to USA last year we took a road trip from Vegas to Grand canyon n horse shoe bend.looking forward to more

That’s a great plan! You’ll get to see lots of incredible sights, city and nature; plus, they’re all located relatively close together (in USA terms of "close"! haha). Best of luck planning!

What an impressive list! Ive always dreamed about doing a road trip through the states and I’d love to start in the Pacific Northwest! USA has so many beautiful national parks with such diverse scenery so I can’t wait to get home and explore more!

Oh, what a good place you’ve picked to start: our absolute favorite part of the country! I hope you get to plan your road trip soon!

Wow, what a list! I love that you included Wakulla on your Florida list!

Thanks! I lived in Florida for a couple of years, so it was fun hearing others’ favorites and gathering road trips from all around the country!

I’ve never been to Yosemite but I’ve been dying to go! This is such an extensive guide and so helpful!

Thanks! Yosemite is amazing! If you like getting off the beaten path, we’d definitely recommend getting a backcountry permit because it is absolutely incredible. We were there on a weekend in July (busiest possible time!), but in the backcountry, we only saw one other person camping!

I am really keen to do the Pacific Coast drive but also think the drive north to Seattle looks fantastic. Which would you recommend if I only have time for one?

Ohh a tough choice for sure! Highway 1 (in California) is stunning, but it is a bit more crowded, whereas some of the drives around Seattle and north are more rugged and have fewer people.

Temperatures for lounging at the beach are going to be more comfortable in California though (so it depends on what you’re most looking forward to!). Either choice will be a good one 🙂

What an extensive list! I’ve done many of the West Coast ones, but haven’t made it to the Southwest/ much of the East Coast! Pinning this for later!!

Thanks! Yeah, we’d love to got out to the East Coast in time for the fall colors someday!

I’ve done most of these, but you’ve done a great disservice skipping Arkansas. The Pig Trail is not to be missed, especially by motorcycle. Boston and Ozark Mountains are beautiful, especially in the fall.

These are great options! I would love to do a road trip but sadly I can’t drive. I just need to find that right person to do the trip with me to tick it off my bucket list! I’m looking forward to visiting San Francisco too.

I love all the road trip suggestions! I am planning to get a campervan with my boyfriend next year to do USA, and we need all the tips we can find!! Thanks for sharing!!

If you have time, the Boston to Acadia trip should extend down to NYC! There’s a lot of amazing stops in CT to see.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS I love a good USA roadtrip!!

Great guide!! I’ve been wanting to do another USA road trip! There are sooo many to choose from 🙂

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Travel USA on a budget – plan a cheaper & better vacation

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Travel USA on a budget covers everything you should know in order to make your vacation the absolute best , without spending your life savings. After 15 international vacations to the USA I have worked out a real “can do” attitude when it comes to travelling the USA cheaply.

The USA sure is a mighty big place. It consists of some of the world’s most bucket list cities like New York and Las Vegas, but it also has a long list of National Parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite that are stars in their own right. So deciding where your travels will ultimately take you and for how long will depend on your USA travel budget.

Related posts to help you budget and save :

• How to save money to travel – save $10,000 a year
• 18 Cheap Travel hacks for people who love to travel
• Planning a trip overseas you can actually afford

What this Travel USA on a budget includes :

• How to find budget flights
• The best budget accommodation
• Average daily costs
• Top tips for saving money while travelling the USA
• Planning a USA road trip on a budget

Further reading : 2 week National Parks Road Trip USA

Is USA Expensive?

Having a budget in mind before you set off, itineraries for the usa you might like, type of travel – back packing, type of travel – budget couple – based on 2 people, type of travel – budget travel- family of 4, major locations & attractions, fast facts about usa, use your frequent flyer points, look for direct flights from your destination, start your search for cheap flights early, fly budget airlines, be flexible with your dates.

• Finding the best budget accommodation in USA main cities

NEW YORK CITY

Los angeles, miami florida, san francisco, new orleans, popular cities public transport, road tripping around the usa on a budget, estimated food costs, getting free wifi in usa, consider looking at you big costs first and then working out how to make it even cheaper if needed..

Travel in the USA does not have to be expensive. In fact, you can have a really cheap holiday if you want. But that might mean staying in hostels, seeing the cheap and free things within a city, and eating fast food or preparing your own.

But if you really want to experience everything about the USA, I suggest deciding what you are happy to budget with. I don’t particularly like staying in a hostel unless I can get a private room. So instead I look for cheap accommodation and try to eat in less expensive restaurants to get my costs down.

But that is just the start of it. There are plenty of other ways to reduce your overall costs when you know how. It also comes down to what you are willing to sacrifice in order to meet your travel goals.

This is my travel motto –

Having a cheap vacation in the USA means knowing up front what your budget looks like. Imagine planning a truly incredible vacation only to discover that it’s going to cost so much more than you first imagined. That would be so disappointing right!.

So starting with at least an idea of how much you want to spend is a good way to understand what it is gong to take to make it happen. After some initial research you might discover the USA is more expensive than you expected. Or even cheaper than you thought. Wouldn’t that be awesome!

Having a budget in mind also helps you become much more savvy in how to get your costs down. You know from the get go that you can’t be staying in lux accommodation or booking business class flights.

One of my favourite vacations to the USA involved a 6 week road trip starting in Alaska and ending in Las Vegas. We wanted to see all the big National Parks like Yellowstone , Denali, Glacier National Park and the Grand Tetons . It also included another 7 days of cruising the Alaskan inside passage from Anchorage to Vancouver.

This was a big trip that would ultimately cost $10,000 without applying any budgeting skills. I ended up getting it down to $6000 without skipping any destination or leaving any amazing experiences out.

It included return flights from Australia, all accommodation, a 7 night cruise, all meals, transport and activities.

So once you absolutely know what your itinerary looks like, you can start applying your own skills to see if you can get your costs down, and if you can’t, you have to make a decision:

• Can I save more money to afford the trip of my dreams
• Do I need a revised itinerary – less attractions, less destinations, less days away .
• Can I reduce my main trip costs even more – flights, accommodation, transport, food.
• 2 week National Park Road Trip USA -Glaciers & Deserts
• New York City itinerary – Visiting NYC for the first time
• 3 days in New Orleans itinerary – Unique side of USA
• 7 day Alaska Itinerary – including Denali NP
• Hawaii Big Island itinerary 5 days – incredibly affordable

USA Trip Costs – estimated daily costs

Your budget trip to USA comes down to the travel style you like.

Now, let’s face it, everyone’s budget is going to be different.

Are you a couple, family or flying solo?

Are you looking a dirt cheap holiday or just cheaper alternatives to everything?

Firstly, I always suggest having some backup funds in case…well just in case.

• dorm room in hostel
• Free attractions
• public transport
• eating on the run / supermarket supplies

Expect to pay USD $60 – $80 / EURO $55 – $75 / AUD $80 – $105 per person per day

Add a mix of paid attractions – an additional US $40 – $60 / EURO $35 – $55 / AUD $50 – $80 per day

• cheap hotels in cheap locations – twin share
• a mix of free and paid attractions
• public transport or rental car
• a mix of cheap take out, supermarket supplies & affordable restaurants

Expect to pay USD $150 – $180 / EURO $140 – $165 / AUD $200 – $250 per person per day

• cheap hotels – sharing the same space
• rental car + public transport
• a mix of supermarket supplies & cheap restaurants (chain restaurants)

Expect to pay USD $370 / EURO $340 / AUD $500 per family per day

Be sure to read my Cheats Guide to Saving Money while Traveling

Choosing the best USA itinerary?

The USA is one of the biggest countries in the world, similar to the size of Australia and Canada.

With 50 states , it’s simply too big to navigate in one trip, So choosing your perfect itinerary might mean traversing east to west and north to south as you take in your dream destinations.

East Coast : New York City / Boston / Washington D.C / Florida

West Coast : Los Angeles / Seattle/ San Francisco

Northern USA: Chicago / Niagara Falls / Montana / Mount Rushmore

Southern USA: New Orleans / Texas / Las Vegas

Interior USA: Memphis / Yellowstone NP / Grand Canyon / Salt Lake City / Colorado / Nashville

Other USA destinations: Alaska / Hawaii

• Population – 332 million
• Currency – US Dollar (conversion AUD to USD dollars aprox 0.75 / EUD to USD dollars approx 1.09 )
• Official Languages – English
• Yearly Visitors – 79.3 million (2019) pre pandemic
• Top visiting countries: Canada / Mexico / UK/ Japan / China
• Top tourist destinations to visit : New York / Las Vegas / New Orleans / San Francisco / Seattle
• Climate – The USA has a range of climates which means it is always sunny somewhere. It also experiences snow and arctic temperatures in various regions throughout the year.
• Average Stays in USA- the average tourists spends 18 days in the USA. .

Budget Travel USA – How to Save Money

We now look at all the ways you can save for your budget travel USA.

These include hacks, how to save and where to find the best travel deals .

Further reading: Planning a trip overseas you can actually afford

How to get cheap flights to USA

• sign up for travel alerts via secret flying
• fly into the closest city from your destination
• fly into main airport hubs where cheaper flights are offered
• start your flight search well in advance and look out for sales
• book via budget airlines
• be flexible with your flight days and/or months of travel
• sign up to newsletters and notifications from the airlines direct
• Use a multiple search across all airlines such as CheapOair or Skyscanner.

International flights will generally arrive via a main USA city before connecting to other smaller cities.

IF you have frequent flyer / frequent mileage points you could ultimately get your flights for free from your home destination. Also, many of the big US air carriers such as United & American Airlines have alliances with other airlines that could also fly you internally throughout the USA.

I flew to Alaska on a 7 day road trip from Melbourne, Australia using my Qantas points on an American Airlines flight. The trip via Los Angeles cost me only $100. (this is the taxes required)

The main point of entry to the United States from Australia is somewhere along the west coast such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. So starting your vacation here is going to be cheaper than flying to New York.

For tourists coming from Europe , the east coast cities of Miami, Washington D.C and New York for example will draw cheaper flights.

As soon as you you know you’re ready to lock in your vacation then start looking out for flight deals.

All carriers tend to offer flight sales at some stage which you can take advantage of. If you are keen to find out when these sales happen try doing a google search from the previous year to see if any major sales show up. This might include birthday sales, black Friday and end of year. It might give you an indication of when the next one will come out.

If you are planning to fly internally throughout the USA it is worth looking into the many budget airlines that operate within the region. Jet Blue, South West, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant and Sun Country are all budget airlines that fly in and out of various cities across the country.

Being flexible is your best way of obtaining the flights you want at the right price. Be sure to check other days and sometimes even the week or month before of after. While many suggest the best prices appear around 50 days out of flying I would hate to wait till the last minute to book, especially if you have everything else booked. It’s not a guarantee and you could end up with a sold out flight or one that is more expensive. So if you are happy with the price you have found, grab it while you can.

Related article: Travel Rocks but long haul flights suck – how to beat jet lag

Budget Accommodation USA

• look for hotels with free breakfast
• book private rooms with shared facilities for cheaper rates
• stay further out when handy public transport is available
• book a hostel with private room
• avoid weekends in come cities eg. Las Vegas
• for families, book one room with multiple beds

Just how much you might expect to pay for a budget hotel in the USA is dependent on a few factors.

What city you are in.

Larger cities will most likely attract a higher price, especially in popular precincts. Sometimes staying just a bit further out can help reduce these costs considerably.

What time of year it is.

Some locations are prime tourists spots at certain times of year. During the rest of the year they can lay almost dormant, awaiting a new tourist season to start. Also summer hot spots, holiday season and events such as spring break can effect the rise in prices in certain locations. It is worth knowing if you are paying a higher price for something that you can potentially avoid.

How remote your location is

For those heading on a road trip around the USA , you may find yourself in locations a little off the beaten path. This may mean hotels are scarce and you will need to pay whatever the going rate is. This is particularly true for National Parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite where accommodation sometimes outweighs the amount of tourists wanting to visit.

Finding the best budget accommodatio n in USA main cities

The following accommodation prices reflect what you might expected. to pay if you were on a budget and looking for cheaper deals. Most properties are around a 3 star rating at most.

Note: prices may fluctuate at different times of year, and you may also find cheaper prices if on sale.

Hostel – Single in dorm

Chelsea International – prime location – 2 or 4 bed dorms from $48 per person / per night

Jazz on Columbus Circle – near Central Park – 6 bed dorm from $63 per person per night

Budget Hotel – twin share

The Jane Hotel – Greenwich village – from $129 per room

Four Points by Sheraton – Downtown – from $178 per room

Carlton Arms Hotel – mid town – from $131 per room TOP PICK

HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica- dorms from $38 per person / per night

The Venice Beach Hostel – Venice Beach – dorms from $45 per person per night

Samesun Hollywood – Near walk of fame – dorms from $40 per person

Best Western plus Commerce Hotel – Central Location- breakfast included – from $146 per room

Ocean Park Inn – near Santa Monica Pier – from $173 per room

Dunes Inn Sunset – Sunset Boulevard – from $136 per room TOP PICK

Generator Miami – Miami Beach- dorms from $27 per person / per night

Viajero Miami – South Beach- dorms from $53 per person per night

Collins Beach – Miami Beach – from $107 per room

Greenview Hotel – Miami Beach – from $142 per room

Costa Norte Boutique Hotel- North Miami Beach – from $112 per room TOP PICK

Sin City Hostel – Las Vegas Blvd- dorms from $36 per person / per night

Hostel Cat – Las Vegas Blvd- dorms from $48 per person per night

Excalibur – Las Vegas Blvd – from $120 per room

Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino – close to Fremont Street – from $96 per room

Jockey Resort Suites – Las Vegas Blvd – from $96 per room TOP PICK

Note: choose weekdays for the best rates

Music City Hotel – Bay Area- dorms from $40 per person / per night

Pacific Tradewinds Hostel – Bay Area- dorms from $40 per person per night

Grant Hotel – Union Square – from $108 per room

Samesun San Francisco – Marina District – from $136 per room

Greenwich Inn – Marina Beach- from $136 per room TOP PICK

Green Tortoise Hostel – near Pike Market Place- dorms from $38 per person / per night

HI Seattle at the American Inn – International District- dorms from $38 per person per night

Graduate Seattle – University District – from $197 per room

Silver Cloud Inn- central location- breakfast included from $209 per room

Travelodge by Wyndham- near Space needle- from $159 per room TOP PICK

HI New Orleans – excellent central location- dorms from $43 per person / per night

Auberge NOLA Hostel – Close to French Quarter- dorms from $43 per person per night

Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter- from $108 per room

Maison Dupuy Hotel – French Quarter- from $129 per room

The Mercantile Hotel- arts district- executive suite – from $124 per room TOP PICK

Transport Options

• stay in central locations
• walk as much as possible
• use public transport where possible and ditch the car
• Use a hop on hop off bus when short on stays and time

Getting around the USA is going to be dependent on exactly where you are going.

Most larger cities have decent public transport and this is going to be the most convenient option. For those with a car, you’ll need to consider the parking costs for inner city stays because it’s never cheap.

Destinations such as Los Angeles are known for having poor public transport. Hence why there so many cars on the road and traffic congestion is torturous. We did on one occasion have a car when in Los Angeles and it was a nightmare to get out of the city when it came time to leave.

Los Angeles: Metro operates across the city for approx $1.75 for a one way ticket (good for 2 hours). Alternately grab a day pass for $3.50

Alternative: Los Angeles Hop on Hop off bus

New York City: Metrocard is good for subway and buses. Single ticket is $2.50 or a 7 day pass is $29.

Alternative: New York City Hop on Hop off bus

Chicago: Chicago Transport Authority utilizes trains and buses. Single tickets start from $2.25 or a day pass from $5

Alternative: Chicago Hop on Hop off bus

Miami: Miamidade operates train and bus passes. A single trip is $2.25 otherwise download the app and top up for single day and multiple day passes.

Alternative: Miami Hop on Hop off bus

San Francisco: BART – The rapid transit no longer issues paper tickets so commuters must purchase a clipper card and add their funds to it. Single fares start from $2.50. Add a Visitors Passport to you clipper card and ride the iconic San Francisco trolley (cable car)

Alternative : San Francisco Hop on Hop off bus

Las Vegas: while you can choose to walk the Strip, other options include the Deuce, a double-decker bus or monorail. The Deuce costs $6 for 2 hours, $8 for 24 hours or $20 for 3 days. The monorail costs $5 per ticket or $13 for 24 hours. To get to the Las Vegas South premium outlets , you’ll need to the Deuce,

Alternative: Las Vegas Hop on Hop off bus

Seattle : Orca Cards offer a variety of public transport options. From light rail, bus, streetcar& more. Orca cards cost $5 and can be topped up as you need. Alternately you can pay for single use transport starting from $2.25

Alternative: Seattle Hop on Hop off bus

San Diego: the best way to get around the area is by train or bus. The Coaster, Sprinter (train) and Breeze (bus) connect the San Deigo area as well as neighboring cities. Tickets start from $2.50. You can also take the Pacific Surfliner to Los Angeles.

Alternative: San Diego Hop on Hop off bus

New Orleans : The city is compact enough to get around most of it by foot. Otherwise you can ride the famous streetcars here where fares start from $1.25

Alternative: New Orleans Hop on Hop off bus

Dallas : Use the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) with day passes starting from $6.

Denver: RTD offers rides on public buses and trains, starting from $3 for a 3 hour pass or $6 for a 24 hour pass.

Taking a road trip around the USA to some of the countries most popular sights is a must for those on a budget.

It’s a great way to explore some the countries less visited places or those that are a little more remote.

You can read my 2 week USA road trip here starting in Montana and ending in Las Vegas.

2 week USA road trip

National Parks are one of those places that require little money apart from a rental car. You only need to pack the car with food and snacks from the supermarket and pay your park entry. Whether you choose to camp or stay in budget hotels is up to you.

You can read more about National Parks and other road trips below.

7 Day Alaska itinerary

Yellowstone 3 day itinerary

3 day Glacier National Park

Hawaii Big Island 5 day itinerary

1 day in Zion National Park

1 day Bryce Canyon itinerary

Scenic Drive – Grand Teton National Park

1 day Oahu Full Circle

There is a tonne of great things to do during your stay in the USA. Some free, some budget friendly and some on the more expensive side. Seeing we are talking about USA on a budget, let’s jump into affordable options.

Budget & Free Attractions in USA

When it comes to working out what attractions and activities you want to do in the USA, start with the free things you can do in each city and location and attractions that are not too expensive.

Consider what cities offer lots of fabulous free things where you could get away with not spending very much money. Places like New York City, Washington D.C and Miami are actually perfect for roaming around and just checking out the architecture, museums. beaches and parks.

Las Vegas on the other hand can be more expensive as you might want to see a show, maybe gamble a little, dine in popular hotels and restaurants and go shopping.

Here’s 2 ways you can approach each location based on your budget.

• Allocate a set budget amount for each location, such as $50 or $100 per person. This way you’ll be inclined to forgo the things that don’t really interest you and start looking for free things to enjoy.
• Allocate a set budget in total for your entire trip. This way you can plan exactly what you want to see and do regardless of price. and focus on free attractions in other locations.

A great example was when I went to Alaska and decided I wanted to do a scenic flight over Denali National Park. It was over $400 per person which was a big chunk out of my activity budget. To make up for this I decided that during our cruise along the Inside passage of Alaska we would not be participating in any other activities, and would just use our land based stops to walk around and enjoy the scenery. It helped get our budget back on track and I realized that a handful of smaller experiences couldn’t replace this one epic experience I really wanted to do.

Free and cheap attractions itinerary – approx $100 per person

The following is an itinerary of free and budget attractions you could see and do in different cities in the United States.

It is based on a cost of around $100 per person and is a great way to stick to your budget.

• Wander around Central Park – FREE
• visit Times Square – FREE
• Explore Battery Park – FREE
• Statue of Liberty Cruise – $24
• 911 memorial $30
• American Museum of Natural History $25
• Take the High line Roof top walk- FREE
• Visit Chelsea Market – FREE
• Staten Island Ferry – see the city from another angle -FREE
• Walk across Brooklyn Bridge -FREE
• Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum – $30

Total cost for the above itinerary $109 per person

• Explore Santa Monica beach – FREE
• Go window shopping on Rodeo Drive – FREE
• Hike the Hollywood Hills – Griffith Observatory – $28
• Hop on Hop off Double Decker Bus Tour – $49
• Hollywood and Beverly Hills Tour – $25
• Cruise the Hollywood walk of Fame on foot – FREE
• Visit the Getty Center Museum – FREE

Total cost for this itinerary $102 per person

• Hit Miami Beach for some fun in the sun
• Explore Wynwood neighbourhood for incredible street art
• Visit eh Art Deco District – famous for Miami
• Take in the ultra cool sights of Ocean Drive
• F ull day Miami tour by bus and boat – $55
• Full day tour to Key West – see the southern tip of USA – $49
• OR take an Everglades Airboat Adventure with hotel transfers $53

Total cost for this itinerary $104

• Eat your way around at Pike Market Place -FREE entry
• Wander around Olympic Sculpture Park
• Visit Seattle Space needle and Chihuli Garden and Glass – $37
• Go on the famous Underground Tour $29
• Stroll along the Seattle Waterfront
• Catch a blues show while in town – varied prices

Total cost for this itinerary $66

• Take in an epic view of the Golden Gate Bridge
• Take in the many activities happening in Fisherman’s Wharf
• Wander around Pier 49 and check out the hundreds of sea lions
• Explore Golden Gate park
• Alcatraz plus lunch $98
• BETTER OPTION – Alcatraz plus grand city tour $125

Total cost for this itinerary $98 (or $125)

• New Orleans Cooking demonstration, meals includes and recipes $37
• Ghost, Voodoo and Vampires Tour $27
• Take the famous Cemetery Tour $28
• Spend a wild night on Bourbon Street – FREE or not
• Visit the French Quarter – FREE
• Spend time in this iconic location – Jackson Square- FREE
• Stroll along Riverfront Park – FREE
• Visit Louis Armstrong Park- FREE
• See some live jazz music – FREE

Total Cost for this itinerary is $92 per person

Food costs are going to vary for many reasons including:

• where you are
• type of travel (Eg, back packing versus road trip)

You may also decide to heavily budget one day and then be eating steak at a prime restaurant the next. Hey, you’re holiday right so you probably want to be able to live a little too.

I recommend if you can get a free breakfast in your hotel cost then that’s one meal taken care of. Also, you can usually grab a piece of fruit or two as you leave to have as light healthy snacks.

Here are some estimates you an work on based on your type of travel

Grocery store food / making your own meals : budget approx $10 – $15 per person per day

Mixture of making your own meals and take away meals only $15 – $25

Eating at chain restaurants and cheaper take away meals: $20 -$30 per person per day

PRO TIP: avoid seated service where you will be expected to tip for your meal. Buying food from the supermarkets and only purchasing food to go will help you avoid this.

Getting free WiFi in the United States is getting easier every year. This is particularly true for larger and tourist hop spots such as NYC, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

For example, you will find free internet in New York City at many subway stations, museums and hot spots in parks such as Central Park.

Other places you will most likely find free WiFi is :

• Starbucks coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Apple store
• Many tourist attractions

You may not necessary know if a place offers free internet so always be sure to simply ask.

WARNING : never use internet banking or enter passwords on public WIFi. This is a sure way to get hacked.

Conclusion to USA on a Budget

A trip to the USA is one of exciting adventure. The itineraries are endless when it comes to what you could possibly do. It’s just unfortunate that the wallet, and so budgeting down is a must.

A reminder to decide on what you really have your heart set on. Then budget the rest.

Interested in Hawaii or Alaska? Read my other posts below.

Hawaii on a Budget

5 day Big Island itinerary

7 day Alaska itinerary

Also consider if crossing from one side of the continent to the other is your best idea. Maybe this is another trip down the line. I have been tot he United States 15 times because I just couldn’t do everything in one go, and I didn’t want to rush it either. Also, for me to do everything, I would need $20,000 so it was best I broke my trips ups. That way I was travelling to the USA every 18 months or so on another epic holiday. That I could afford without getting out the credit card.

1.Accommodation is a major cost that will most likely make up much of your budget, so it makes sense to work out a nightly or weekly budget you are happy with.

Also, the earlier you start looking, the more likely you will have more options. Look for hotels with free cancellation so you can secure the hotel now yet pay for it later or change the dates if needed.

Go to Booking.com for the biggest range of affordable hotels

Go to Hostel World for a range of cheap city dorms and private rooms

2. Book some of your activities at discounted rates before you go. That way you can keep saving before you go and have more money in your pocket once there.

Go to Viator for a range of all location activities.

3. Start looking for flights early and waiting on sales in particular to come up. Be flexible with your choice of airline and what day you travel if possible.

Have a great rip!

All Booking resources for a budget travel

CheapOair – these guys service over 400 airline carriers with huge discounted prices.

Booking.com – the biggest range of hotels / apartments / entire homes

RentalCars.com – why look at one car rental company when you can look at them all.

Viator – for day tours from a range of tour suppliers

Klook – for all your entry tickets plus skip the line

You may also like

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Road Trip to Glacier National Park & Going to the Sun Road

Hubbard Glacier. Magnificent cruising in Alaska.

Visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass- highlight of Seattle.

Seattle on a budget- a brief stay in an expensive city.

Maldives on a Budget – best ultimate travel guide

How to road trip through the Midwest US on a budget

Mar 2, 2022 • 6 min read

A Midwest road trip is a perfect option for a budget-friendly road trip © Visit Milwaukee / JMKE Photography

People who’ve never really considered a visit to “Flyover Country” usually find themselves pleasantly surprised — and sometimes even downright shocked — by just how much there is to see, do and experience in the great American Midwest, often for free.

Defined by wide-open swathes of farmland, friendly small towns and attractive urban cities (not to mention the bonus of much lower prices for gas and lodging than you’d expect to pay on the coasts), this down-to-earth territory holds all the makings of a memorable road trip.

Editor's note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

St. Louis – Missouri

With affordable attractions, tasty food and river city culture, St. Louis makes a great starting point to kick off a Midwestern road trip. At 630ft, the iconic Gateway Arch is required viewing, and America’s tallest man-made monument. The CityArchRiver project recently revamped the land that surrounds the landmark, updating facilities and adding green space and bike trails.

Take the tram ride to the top for the best bird’s eye view in town, or catch a ride to cruise the mighty Mississippi on a paddlewheel-powered riverboat (snagging an America the Beautiful Pass will save you a few bucks on ticket prices). During baseball season, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village come alive with avid Cardinals fans rooting for the home team. Even if you’re not attending the game, the sports energy in town is contagious.

Site of the 1904 World’s Fair, 1300-acre Forest Park is a one-stop cultural cache that includes museums, a zoo, a science center, a greenhouse, lakes and pedestrian paths — all free to access. There’s no charge to tour the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery grounds and admire the Budweiser Clydesdales either. After exploring, sample some classic fried ravioli at any of the old-school Italian restaurants on the Hill and order up some ice cream or frozen custard at Ted Drewe’s .

51 affordable discoveries across America 2020

Route 66 Heritage Project – Illinois

Get your kicks! Gearing up to celebrate its centennial in 2026, America’s Mother Road accounts for 300 miles of scenic byway on its Central Illinois leg between St. Louis and Chicago, (running 2,400 all told out to California). Meet up with Route 66 by crossing the Mississippi River at the Chain of Rocks Bridge and make a day of it heading northeast to take in the scenery through Litchfield, Springfield, Bloomington/Normal and Pontiac.

Commemorate the journey by snapping selfies against Americana-rich backdrops like the 30ft Gemini Giant at Wilmington’s Launching Pad drive-in  (temporarily closed), Paul Bunyon holding a hot dog in Atlanta and the Joliet Correctional Center where Jake and Elwood served time in the Blues Brothers. Hole up in a mom-and-pop motel if you need a break from the long day of driving, and keep your own motor running with a pit stop to refuel at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook.

Chicago – Illinois

Route 66 ultimately deposits travelers in Chicago at the end of the road. A two-time World’s Fair host, the Windy City delivers a winning combination of history, sports, food and culture, inviting visitors to stick around and explore for as long as they like.

Take your pick of Museum Campus attractions like the Shedd Aquarium , the  Adler Planetarium  (temporairly closed to public) and the Field Museum , then venture north up Michigan Avenue to the renowned Art Institute of Chicago . Hot tip: a CityPASS packages these and a couple other top attractions to save visitors 50% on premium admission prices across the board.

After strolling through Millennium Park and taking a few photos at the Bean, take a spin on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier and window-shop your way up the Magnificent Mile . Chicago boasts a strong theater community with performing arts showcases, concerts and events happening every night of the week, often with last-minute or day-of ticket discounts available.

You definitely won’t lack for great eats, whether you opt to indulge in affordable local favorites like deep-dish pizza , Chicago-style hot dogs and global cuisine galore, or splurge on a high-end meal at one of the city’s finest dining establishments.

Check out our Spotify Chicago playlist

Milwaukee – Wisconsin

From Chicago, it’s just a quick 90-minute journey north up I-94/I-41 to Milwaukee , a town that manages to stay humble while still impressing visitors with its style and substance. The Harley-Davidson Museum is a pilgrimage destination for legions of brand-loyal customers.

After a visit, learn all about the city’s beer heritage with a tour of Miller Brewery or Sprecher Brewery. You’ll need something to eat, and wholesome dairy is what’s on the menu (this is Wisconsin, after all), namely in the form of cheese curds, butter burgers and frozen custard. Milwaukee’s Public Market in the Third Ward offers a one-stop opportunity to sample it all under one roof.

When the weather’s nice, the river and lakefront encourage locals and visitors to get outside and enjoy some water recreation. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Art Museum (the Santiago Calatrava-designed “wings” that fan open and shut twice a day are a free show in and of themselves), a reputable repertory theater and a rocking roster of summer festivals keep Milwaukee solidly rooted in the arts. At the end of the day, the historic (and haunted?) Pfister Hotel proposes stylish confines in which to rest your weary head.

Green Bay – Wisconsin

Keep on trucking up I-43 for about two hours and join “the Pack” in Green Bay, Wisconsin’s oldest settled community where pro football reigns supreme. Don some green and yellow and visit  Lambeau Field ; the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame , tours of the stadium and the Titletown entertainment district next door are available all year long.

Sports aren’t the only attraction here, though — breathtaking hiking territory abounds with landscapes that show off dolomite cliffs, waterfalls and beachfronts. Made from hearty stock, Green Bay residents don’t shy away from the long cold winters, opting instead to make the most of the season with ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

You can always thaw out in front of any of the local restaurants, cafes and brewpubs that feature cozy fireplaces. Or, belly up to a local bar for a good old traditional Friday-night Wisconsin fish fry. 

Duluth – Minnesota

It’s a five-hour jaunt across S.R. 29 to Chippewa Falls and then up US 53 over the Minnesota state line into Duluth. Along the idyllic banks of Lake Superior, the great outdoors are alive and well here, especially during the fall when the Northwoods foliage bursts into spectacular shades of burnished orange, red and gold. Settled by the Sioux and Chippewa tribes, the city now serves as entrance to the North Shore Scenic Drive that runs 154 miles up to Grand Portage , just shy of the Canadian border.

The Aerial Lift Bridge is Duluth’s crown-jewel landmark, raising and lowering nearly two dozen times each day to accommodate the passage of ships and boats traveling into and out of the harbor. The Canal Park district appeals to visitors with charming local restaurants to frequent and the Lakewalk to wander.

Gooseberry Falls State Park – Minnesota

From Duluth, follow the North Shore Scenic Byway 40 miles northeast past glimpses of the lake, forests and rock formations to wind down the journey at Gooseberry Falls , one of Minnesota’s most stunning state parks.

Stretch your legs with a walk around the Falls View Loop to drink in the namesake Upper, Middle and Lower cascades. A slice of cherry crunch or French Silk at Betty’s Pies in nearby Two Harbors makes the perfect sweet finale.

You might also like: 

Midwest travel ideas: 8 under-the-radar destinations to visit in America’s Heartland How to road-trip Canada on a budget Audiobooks to narrate your US road trip

This article was originally published in January 2020 and updated in October 2020. 

Produced by Lonely Planet for GEICO. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality.

This article was first published January 2020 and updated March 2022

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Planning a USA Road Trip

This post may contain affiliate links.

Are you heading to the USA for a road-trip vacation? Good choice, this country is perfectly set up for that kind of touring. Cheap fuel, great roads, affordable and plentiful motels and a million diverse things to see and do make the USA a brilliant driving holiday destination. Everything we know on travel USA after our incredible vacations discovering America

Planning a USA Road Trip. Travel USA!

First a bit about us and our experience in driving around the USA, we’re not from the States, we’re a British/Australian family with a passion for travel of all sorts. When I met my husband, the Chef  back in 2000 our first holiday together was a USA West Coast road trip, we had a wonderful time but we haven’t made it back to the States for that sort of holiday since.

Finally we got the opportunity to come back, with kids. We took an Atlantic Crossing cruise and disembarked our  wonderful cruise ship  into polar vortex New York City .

We had booked 4 nights in a hotel off Times Square  (NYC is expensive, this was a great deal), and reserved 1 month on a US hire car before we left the UK. That was the extent of our pre-planning on the day we arrived in NYC.

We planned to road-trip our way around as much of the USA as we could, focusing on the East Coast. We had no fixed plans, no schedule, we mostly made it up as we went along and enjoyed that freedom. We hope our experiences can help you in planning your USA road trip

Planning to Rent a Vehicle for your USA Road Trip?

That’s what we needed to do, hire a vehicle.

We considered hiring an RV, it looked to like a wonderful way to see the USA but after a lot of consideration we decided against it. The big RVs are fuel guzzlers, fuel is cheap in the USA ( about 85c/L), but not that cheap!

We wanted to make our trip an A to B route crossing several states, not a round trip, that was going to up our hire car costs. We discovered that the best way to cut costs was to drop off and pick up at airports, so that’s what we did. We picked up in New York, dropped off at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale.

We booked an economy car, but, as usually happens, we were upgraded to a Toyata Rav 4. That’s a very nice car to get about in and a smaller version of our old 4 wheel drive back in Australia.

Car hire cost us $30 per day. If you have your own insurance that would cover you, it could be a lot less.

We didn’t bring our own car seats for the kids, we had previously for a Florida trip when they were younger. In all honesty car seat regulations didn’t cross our minds, we didn’t check and they weren’t supplied. You need to check each state’s requirements.

Do You Need a GPS for a USA driving holiday or tour?

The United States is pretty easy to navigate. My husband, the driver and navigator, suggests that you do not need to rent a GPS system from the hire (rental) car company. It’s not cheap, around $8/day. His solution was to buy a US SIM card ( from $2/day plus SIM cost)  and use his smart phone with Google maps app. It worked a treat.

Accommodation Costs For Our USA Road Trip and Finding the Best Deals

We wanted to keep our accommodation costs as low as possible so that we had more to spend on the big-ticket attractions, there was no way we were skipping Disney!

We found that overall, accommodation costs were the most expensive part of our USA tour.

The cheapest possible way to find budget hotel rooms, was to book online. We scoured all the usual booking sites, Priceline was often cheapest and we found those deals through Hotels Combined. We also checked   Booking.com  and Agoda  regularly. Hotels Combined is a good choice in a situation like this because they pull the best deals from multiple booking sites at once so that you know you have the best deal. Turning up at the hotel in person was always more expensive than booking online, the same deals just aren’t available. ( This is not the situation in most other countries we visit).

We signed up for hotel chain rewards programmes. Wyndham rewards was the most useful for us, they own loads of hotel and motel chains.

You build points by staying with them until you qualify for a free night. If you book through Priceline you do not always receive your points, so we always checked the Wyndham rewards hotel booking site too.

Sometimes they matched Priceline’s offer, sometimes they had special offers with significant numbers of extra points.

Rooms were mostly very good. Outside of Washington DC, New Orleans and NYC, we found rooms for under $40, always below $50 ( before tax) for our family of four. Don’t forget to factor in the added tax and watch out for places that charge a nightly resort fee.

Finding a room for 4 is very easy in the USA, no problem at all, most motels and hotels have rooms with two double beds.

Hotels with free breakfast save you a lot of money. The breakfasts are often terrible, carbs only, it got as bad as frozen toaster waffles in one motel, but having something to eat and a coffee first thing in the morning is a big help.

Costs and Budgets

I always say that there is no point in scrimping. Sure, we’re not rich, but you have to spend enough to be comfortable and enjoy your trip. There is no point in doing it if you’re not happy.

We all have different priorities, our priority is seeing, doing and tasting as much as possible, we really don’t care much at all about accommodation or occasional bad meals so long as we’re all safe, relatively well nourished and seeing what we came to see.

We don’t have a fixed daily budget , we just do it as cheap as we possibly can, while paying for the things that are important to us.

There are hidden costs in a trip like this, don’t forget to include road tolls, costs of buying warm clothes and admission tickets.

Basic costs, petrol, car hire, accommodation and food, can easily come in at under $150 per day. The USA part of our first year of travel was undoubtedly one of the more expensive parts, our average daily cost for the year came in at $100 . In Asia we could easily spend $50 per day.

Today, in year 5 of travel, we reckon on a comfortable $100 per day average even in Asia, the kids are older, they eat more, everything costs more and we treat ourselves more often.

Should You Plan an Itinerary for a USA Road Trip or Wing It?

To plan or not to plan? We like going with the flow, ending up where we end up. Our only fixed points were our arrival in NYC and our car drop off date in Fort Lauderdale, other than that we were free.

We had certain places we wanted to include. Must-sees for us were Amish Pennsylvania , Orlando , Washington DC and New Orleans. We ended up making it to Niagara falls and Canada ( see our Canada posts here, the border crossing is simple) and staying in some really interesting and unexpected places on the East Coast.

High hotel prices cut our stay in Washington DC short and the amount of fun we were having kept us in Orlando for over a week. We eventually made it right down through the Florida Keys to the southernmost tip of America. We never expected to get that far.

I would highly recommend not over-planning. Weather conditions, how you feel on the day, unexpected interesting events and festivals are all likely to change your plans at the last-minute.

We found it very easy to find accommodation, sometimes we booked online just minutes before walking through the doors of a motel, often from the motel’s own car park.

It’s a good idea to check for any big festivals that are approaching if you are planning a USA road trip in advance. We unexpectedly arrived in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, a bonus, but it pushed accommodation costs up.

Drive Times on Your Road Trip

The United States is a big country but the East coast or West Coast are very easy to explore in isolation. The distance from NYC to Florida is only about the same as Port Douglas (our old home in Australia) to Brisbane, that was our usual 24 hour airport commute.

Some days we drove for 9 hours, some for 2. You really can play it by ear. Sometimes we stopped in “middle of nowhere” towns just for a rest stop. We found some unexpected delights that way, such as the Darian Sea Monster.

I’ll publish our exact schedule in another post.

Visa Requirements for the USA

International travellers resident in countries which qualify for the USA Visa Waiver Programme will need to apply online for an ESTA. (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). Europe, New Zealand and Australia all qualify, check eligibility here.. This information was up to date at time of publication but always check for yourself, things may have changed.

We’ve had a wonderful time travelling around the USA, it’s been better than we expected, to be honest. We didn’t think we’d find so much diversity, history, wildlife, and great food, ( have a look at some of the amazing food in New Orleans).

If you are planning a USA road trip please don’t hesitate to comment below if you think we can help at all. What places would you recommend to people visiting the USA? While you’re here take a look at our favourite destination in the US, with this “ family things to do ” post.

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If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal! We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance. Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!

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Alyson Long

Where to eat out in new orleans with kids, how i became a road trip with kids ninja, 47 thoughts on “planning a usa road trip”.

We are looking at doing Canada & Alaska on a tour as we are on a cruise in Alaska it doesn’t count to our 90 days in USA. Then driving from Vancouver to Toronto over 3 weeks, then coming to USA and driving around for 86-88 days finishing in New York for New Years Eve 2025. Where would you suggest we start from and what routes to take to see the most. Thanks

I can’t be much help with that sorry, never been to Alaska by cruise.

Hello love your blog This is something we would love to do and doing my homework know Just wondering who you went through to get a car for $30 a day sounds great as I can’t find anything under $100 Thank you Kayt

Car hire prices around the world are insane since Covid Kayt. They’re 4x higher here. I can’t remember if I didn’t put it in the post. Chef would know, but he’s not here, sorry.

Fantastic blog and some really great tips you offered after comments. Thank you for being so engaged. My question is you booked an economy car but “as usually happens” upgraded to a rav4. We are Australian family of four looking to travel in June Seattle to Vancouver and back down to lax. I was looking at hiring a Rav or other suv but would love to pay economy car $30perday.. How do you get an upgrade or how likely is “usually” ? Is this a USA thing. Or do you talk them into it? Love to get a better rate on our car hire.

We have rented cars all over the world and it just always seems to happen. They never have enough economy cars. But it’s a gamble if you have your heart set on a bigger car.

Hello I don’t believe I’ve stumbled across your blog. My husband and I are in the planning process of travelling from Australia doing a 4 week USA road trip in June 2020. I’m thinking I’m over planning after reading your info. Where would I find a more detailed itinerary of your route and accommodation? Basically I want to fly into Washington DC and travel up to nyc then through an amish community onto Nashville and fly out of Dallas. Thanks for sharing your very informative blog.

We never published it, but yes, we did a lot of that. We literally booked accommodation the day before or hours before, giving us freedom to drive as little as much as we wanted and stop wherever we wanted. It worked fine. For 2 people it would be even easier. DC and NYC were expensive hotels, NYC was about $150 I think, DC $70 ish. We were looking for the cheapest we could find. Still better than Australian prices. The rest were very reasonable, $50 and under. There was always plenty of availability but we did this in winter, January or February. June could be busier.

Hi! I live in the US. I’m from Texas but live in New Mexico currently. For those of you that have a family size larger than 4 (we have 5), there are suite type rooms that have the standard double bed but that also have a pull-out sofa. That helps when trying to sleep more in a standard room. Hope that helps! Also Mexican food in Texas (Tex-Mex) is different from Mexican food in New Mexico, so be prepared! It was an adjustment for me!!

Hi, I just found your great post?. We are planning a 6 week tour of the east and west coast. This will be late November and December, 2020. We will be away for Christmas and will hope to find a nice house to hire for a week or two over this period as we would like to create a Christmas atmosphere, Xmas tree etc. with our 2 children. Can you suggest the best way to find/book this type of accommodation? Is Airbnb the go? Or is there a better way to do this? Thanks. ?

We’ve spent 6 Christmases on the road and absolutely get a place with a kitchen – the one we spent in a hotel – it was Singapore – just didn’t feel right. Certainly have a look at AirBnb, see what they have, but also look at apartment-style hotels on the usual booking engines. We’ve often found accommodation with kitchens on them – I’m not sure how common this style is in the US though, in some countries it’s very easy. Absolutely be sure to check what cooking equipment is provided though, sometimes it’s in no way adequate.

Hi. My husband and I and our 5 children are planning on doing a trip to USA in 2021 for about 3 months. The kids ages will range between 15 and 5. We are thinking of flying into LA and doing the must see sites there and then heading to San Fransisco then to Las Vegas across the middle seeing maybe Dallas, Houston to Florida then up to New York. My question is what do you think would be the most cost effective way to do this with a family our size? We are unsure if we should Air bnb, RV, rental car it and stay in motels or maybe try and house swap in a few places. Any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards Jo PS.

We found Motels were the cheapest and in the US it;s standard to have 2 doube beds in each room. So you’d need 2 rooms, so , roughly, at least $100, probably quite a bit more per night. We got the best deals booking last minute, literally last minute, on arrival, through Priceline. Have a look at AirBnb and see if you can find anything more cost effective. We found that cities added significantly to cost. Washington DC and New York cost us loads. It’s a long, long time since we did the west coast, but people say it’s more costly than the east coast. I’d say really, really shop around, see what you can find. You’ll probably need a combination of different accommodation styles to keep expenses down. An RV would be lovely, but the burn through fuel and you’d need a big one. Bit of a dream trip, enjoy!

Thanks so much for your reply Alyson. Yes it is definitely a dream trip but the logistics are turning out to be our challenge. We have looked at the car and hotel -v- RV -v- Air BNB and like you said I think that we will have to do a combination. The main reason we thought RV for the trip across from one side to the other was that we don’t know what sort of vehicle would hold 7 suit cases!! If you think of any thing else that may help us or any must do’s on the trip I would really appreciate it. Cheers Jo

Nice article Alyson, I enjoyed reading your perspective. I read it because I am starting to plan our family’s trip around the US next summer. my trip is different because I am from the US, we currently live in western South Carolina. We will be traveling with 3 kids ages 6, 8 and 10 and potentially our 2 big dogs. We travel domestically quite a bit now, and for us the cost of lodging and food is clearly the most expensive. So for our big trip next summer we are definitely traveling by motorhome. Benefits are being able to cook and prepare most meals in the RV kitchen and of course having a place to sleep included. also we will be able to drive while kids are sleeping/late at night, early in the morning. Checking in and out of hotels is tough since our kids are quite rambunctious and we are really cramped in a hotel room and a car. we are big campers and the US has remarkable state, county and US parks for reasonable fees to hop from. If big cities is your interest the parks are not so common and hotels may be the better option. depends what kind of trip you’re looking for. When I was going into 3rd grade my parents took the 6 of us by RV around the US. The memories are vivid and and helped shape my love for travel as I grew older!

Yep, 3 kids just doesn’t work with the typical US hotel room. It’s something I’d love to try, travelling with a caravan or RV, but the lack of internet would be tough.

Was so good to read your story. We are hoping to do some big cities (and we thought that it would be best to do these by car and motel as I don’t think we would be game to drive an RV into a city or we just hire a car for a day and drive into city and then back out to the RV) but are really looking forward to travelling into the the smaller towns as we drive across from San Fran to Florida. I have read a lot of conflicting reviews about hiring an RV. I would love to hear your thoughts on the price of RV added with Park fees and Gas money compared to Motel and Car? I totally agree with your comments on being able to cook, sleep and have all your stuff in the one place. That is a big issue with us to as we will have 7 suitcases and I was unsure what sort of car would cater for this and I also thought that the RV would be more affordable as we would need two rooms and a large van to transport us. I look forward to our reply. Cheers Jo

I really appreciate the work you have done, you explained everything in such an amazing and simple way.Good post. I was searched for this topic. Finally, I got the information on this blog. Thanks for the effective information.

Hey guys! Me, my partner and 2 kiddies are wanting to sell our narrow boat in uk to fund an epic road trip in our camper van in the americas. We are hoping to spend a few years driving from Canada to Patagonia and back as many times as we like. I am however concerned that Canada and or the USA may reject us as we will not have any property/jobs/ties to the uk and the fact we won’t have flights back to the uk booked etc. Did you encounter any problems with entry at all? We have previously had trouble entering USA when we visited in the middle of a year trip from Asia to Peru but they did let us in after calling my Nhs employer and finding I was on a career break. Thanks for your help! You’re an inspiration!

Great post Alyson, very informative and lots to take in.

I could say I’m an experienced traveler but this will be the first time we as a family of 4 going on a road trip to the states. I would like to travel the months of March and April for 60 days. 30 days on the west side and 30 on the east driving and a little Rail on the east coast.

And I’m just trying to get my head around the average daily cost. Is $100 AUD or US a day on average including hotel, car rental, fuel and food. Since this trip is planned for 2020 I like to do a bit of research so Ive planned the days spent at each location give or take a day or so cos we all have a huge wish list to cover. Would a Budget of $30,000 AUD cover it. We wont be staying in flash hotels and eat out once a day, Supermarket Food mostly, Fun Parks for sure.

When I wrote these old posts the US $ and Au $ were 1:1. All prices on this site are in US $ unless I say it’s Au $. I think $100 per day would be too low, our yearly average was $100 and half of that year we were in Asia spending around $50 per day, so I think you’ll probably need more. Also we get theme park admissions free, that will be a significant extra cost for you.

Hi there Me and a friend are planning a 6 month road trip of the USA and are struggling to budget how much we’d need to save up before we can go, what would you suggest based on your experience

Off the top of my head $100 a day sounds safe. In that whole year, that was our average, but we had free press passes for the big theme parks and there were 4 of us, although in the US hotels have 4 beds as standard, and mostly came in at $50/night or less. It depends how much time you spend in big cities too. Washington DC was expensive, NYC was crazy expensive, so we only stayed 3 nights ( at $150/night). Are you are prepared to eat junk and snacks from supermarkets, or like to use restaurants? Do you like a beer or will you stick to water? It’s really hard to guess for somebody else with different needs. I’d say we spend more than absolute budget ecause we really like our food and drink. I’ve heard the East coast is more expensive than the West, bt we haven’t been over there since 1998, so can’t confirm.

There’s some inspirational info here which is great. Thanks. Id love to up sticks and travel but for now I can only manage short stints! I’m planning a 3 week trip with my 2 kids (12 and 10) next summer (August 17) from Vancouver down to LA. Flights booked and now want to decide where to spend the time (as it’s pretty limited). I’d really appreciate any tips of best places to see with kids this age in Vancouver, Washington, Oregon and California. Also any advice on traveling alone with kids as I’ve not done it before. We have to be near Portland Oregon on day 14 of the trip but that is our only restriction. Thanks in advance Nic

Hi Nic, I’d love to help but right now I’m in Romania and thinking about Thailand, rewinding my head to the US would be very challenging! You have a great trip!

I totally understand! I’m just pleased I’ve found your site. Will keep following ur antics! Cheers Nic

Alyson, enjoying reading through your posts. My partner and I are looking at starting a family soon and are in the process of setting our selves up for exactly the sort of lifestyle you outline. We’ve recently returned from two years in the US and Canada and thought I would share some tips for camping through the western united states.

Seriously consider buying a cheap rv for any trip longer than a couple of months. Not the big behemoths but a more reasonably sized truck and camper combo. These can be picked up for less than $4000 and sold on for at least half that when you leave. We spent $6500 on a small motorhome and got back $4300 of that when we left. It made the trip VERY comfortable and we never minded rainy days as we could laze around and read/ watch movies. We found that it was very easy as Australians to buy a vehicle in British Columbia, Canada. Road worthy checks are not required and rego and insurance is covered in one payment to ICBC. You can travel in the US with this vehicle insurance and rego so long as you’re not stopping to work or live in an area.

Having a fridge and stove in your rv saves you so much money. In a six month period the money saved having a stocked fridge and stove vs the price of eating out will more than likely pay for the rv.

America the Beautiful Pass: $80 annual pass that gives you access to all federal operated parks, national monuments and national historic sites. This little card paid for itself so many times over. It waives the entrance fee for the vehicle you are travelling in and all of the occupants.

National Forests usually surround national parks and offer cheaper camping without having to book months in advance. you can drive into the national park for day trips.

Dispersed camping, the magic words! Always ask at national forest offices (not national parks) about dispersed camping. You can stay for free in unestablished campgrounds for up to 14 days, then you must move at least 5 miles. These were some of our favorite camping experiences. We were also saved in instances where all other camping had been booked months in advance.

We found that Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho were the cheapest to travel in. Very easy to find beautiful low cost and free camping in close proximity to attractions.

http://www.uscampgrounds.info/ This website is oldschool but has loads of info on campsites and they allow you to download the gps data for free.

OSMand+ great offline gps app for android. I managed to upload the gps data from the camping website previously mentioned so we always knew where we could find a place to stay.

We would typically drive for four hours max, then stop for two to four days. This would give us lots of time to explore on foot and cut down on fuel costs.

The wilderness is so beautiful and accessible in the US, try new outdoor activities! I took up fishing for the first time in my life and we had a lot of fun going on short overnight hiking trips. There are plenty of wilderness hiking trips that are suitable for children. The number of families we saw camping out in the wilderness was inspiring.

On average we spent $2 on accomodation per night over the length of our trip (was $0.70 until we got to the oregon coast) $70 a week on fuel and $120 on food for two adults traveling together. The initial outlay for the motorhome was definitely worth it and we got most of that money back at the end of the trip. The first part of our trip was a five month stint in Nepal and Sri Lanka and we found that we were spending a comparable amount in the US once we were set up.

Thanks Allyson for all your fantastic articles, hope these tips will help a few people out.

Regards, Sam

Some great idea for people who enjoy camping on their road trip Sam!

Thanks so much for this information. We’re travelling from NZ to USA in Sept/Oct this year for 4 weeks. I’ve pencil booked accommodation but it’s costing us a lot more than what you managed. At the moment we’re in quite a few Best Westerns. I’d love to know what some of the motels/hotels were that you used to see if I can get our budget down. Thanks, Michelle

WE used last minute booking sites Michelle, often minutes before arrival. We used jst about every cheap motel chain. Days Inn I remember.

Michelle, would love to here how your plans are shaping up, we are also in New Zealand and saving hard to take the kids to the USA for 7 weeks in June/July 2017. We have 3 kids aged 3,8 and 10.

Hi Louise! Plans are going well despite a couple of hiccups (& the Kiwi dollar!). 7 weeks sounds amazing! You don’t happen to live in Millwater do you? If so, I’ll try Facebook messaging you!

Yes I do live in millwater! I am trying to work out how you would know that!!!

Wow, what a fantastic write-up. And just what I was looking for. Pardon my ignorance but how can I email you? We want to do a road trip in the US next year for around 25-30 days – probably the summers. We have two young ones – 8 and 5, boys and so would love to get your thoughts on all that we can do.

Go to the “contact” page Robinder, menu at the top of the page.

Planning on a 6 week road trip during late Dec/Jan on East Coast USA. I am wondering how likely is it that the weather will prevent us from driving on the East Coast. At this stage we will fly Syd to Dallas and then may be drive (or fly) to Orlando (do Disney) and then drive north to NY. all thoughts welcome

I put this question to the readers of our Facebook page Kylie. Here are some of the answers to your roadtrip weather question :

From Florida to New York SHOULD be okay in December. January is iffy, but as long as your schedule isn’t too precise you’ll be fine. Better to have to pull of the road and stay in a hotel than have a flight cancelled and have to sleep in an airport somewhere. If a snowstorm is expected, you’ll have plenty of advance warning to prepare. Drive the gulf coast along from TX to Orlando. Dec/Jan risks some weather issues as you get to North Carolina and above. That said, it’s to late in the year to be shooting for leaves turning in the Blue Ridge… so it is possible to stay along the coast and you shouldn’t have road closures in that direction… .but stay away from the lake effect snow off the finger lakes. Stop in Atlanta and Savannah on your way up. Its a great time of year to visit the mouse. Good luck! I live just north of Washington DC. There could be snow from late October on however October/November/December are not big snow months (not enough snow to stop you from comfortably using major roads) and as someone else said you would have plenty of advanced warning for storms. January-March is when we get our larger amounts of snow.

Our findings were that the roads were clear. We were up north in February, there was a lot of snow, but every road was cleared and gritted. Further south they had more problems because they didn’t expect, nor were prepared for, the snow that arrived.

Hoping to do a US road trip ourselves sometime in the near future! Impressed that you were able to rent a car for only $30 a day — would have expected the daily rate to be much higher!

Yes, James hunted around and got a really good deal. If you had your own insurance that would cover you for USA car hire it would be even cheaper. Getting the car from airport to airport saved us a lot. I believe he’s found us a cheaper deal for the few days we’ll be in Florida next month. It’s worth knowing that they won’t let you take a car for more than a month, they want to check it over after that time.

Hello! Picking up on this as my husband and I are also looking for a cheap car rental deal, but we can’t find anything significantly cheaper than $100 a day on the usual market comparison websites…. Could you or James point us in the right direction? Ta! Aurelie

Dollar, which is owned by Hertz. Also, we picked up at the cheapest place. New York City was the cheapest car pick up point for us. Car hire costs vary by state, Florida is really expensive for instance.

I really enjoyed reading the post. We did a road trip on the West Coast: a customised fly n’ trip as we only had 3 weeks to play with. We did pretty well but the distances took longer than we expected and we went in the winter!

We had a great time though and took detours all over the place. If we go again in the nearest future, I know who to contact LOL!

Hi Victoria I just came across your post about driving the west coast of USA.

would you mind sharing your itinerary please as I am planning to travel there in March this year. Last minute decision so I dont have a lot of time to work out a driving plan. Flying into LA and want to drive to San Fran , Death Vally, Yosemite and Las Vegas.

Any information will be much appreicated.

I can’t wait to do more long road trips in the US. We have some ideas but need to make them a reality!

We definitely need more guesthouses and backpacker type lodgings throughout the US. You can find these types of cheaper accommodations in some big cities, but they’re hard to find in small towns and the motel chains have the cheap accommodation market cornered. I find motel chains like Motel 6 and Super 8 to be so drab and boring. Purely functional, which works but you can’t expect much. There are a few great youth hostels scattered along the coast in California. I’d love to tour these some day.

I literally JUST blogged about this today! I’ve got tips on finding a good one-way rental, whether you need a GPS and more.

I’m a big fan of having a general outline but being flexible as you go. You never know what places will catch your fancy, what the weather will do, your own fatigue etc 🙂

We stayed in a lot of $40ish motels (and a RV park in New Orleans!) and with friends along the way.

Great post.

I’ve done 2 road trips in the US – one down the West Coast, where winging it was fine – though the cost of accommodation in Big Sur is four times as much as anywhere else, so if you need the cheapest it’s worth sorting in advance.

I’ve also driven from Denver to San Francisco, in a big curve to take in the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Las Vegas, Death Valley and Yosemite – and this needed planning, because some of the distances are huge and not every motel comes with somewhere to eat within walking distance. And carry food – it can be 200 miles between cafes and that’s a long way to do if you’re longing for lunch.

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27 Best Ways to Save Money On a USA Road Trip

The continental US spans four time zones, making it a remarkable country in terms of culture and geography. Any road trip across America is a unique and fascinating experience. I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively in the USA, and one common question I receive is: “What are the best ways to save money on a USA road trip?” This is especially relevant when planning long-term self-drive journeys such as Route 66 or along the Pacific Coast Highway .

In this post, I aim to assist you in determining the cost of traveling in the United States, enabling you to budget accordingly for your upcoming trip. I will also provide practical tips to help you sustain your journey, whether it’s for a month-long adventure or a quick weekend escape. Additionally, I’ll share some quick and effective money-saving strategies to implement along the way.

Let’s delve into some of the major expenses you might encounter on your USA road trip

Best Ways to Save Money on a USA Road Trip

Road tripping across the US may not always be inexpensive. Fuel costs can accumulate quickly, and dining out while on the road can strain your budget. Without awareness of your spending patterns and unnecessary expenses, you risk exceeding your budget within a few days. Whether you opt for luxury accommodations and fine dining or seek budget-friendly options like cheap meals and motels, your budget will naturally vary.

Furthermore, prices fluctuate across different US states, with items like food, beverages, and gas often being more costly in major cities such as San Francisco and New York .

In a nutshell, by setting your daily budget between $80 and $200 per day you’ll be able to see quite a lot on your road trip. Again, this amount will vary depending on your travel style, location, and which attractions you want to visit. The magic number I try to stay under each day is $90. If I go over my budget, I try to make up for it the next day by spending less than $90. It’s all about balance!

There are unavoidable expenses on any vacation and the worst enemies of any road-tripper, which are:

• Sightseeing
• Accommodation

For each category, I break down how to reduce your expenses and provide an overview of budget, mid-range, and high-end prices.

How to Save Money on Food on a USA Road Trip

1. bring your own food.

Bringing your food from home is perhaps the simplest way to save money on meals during a road trip in the USA. Visit a supermarket or Walmart in advance and purchase a variety of non-perishable snacks (and perhaps some large waters) in bulk. Nuts, granola bars, dark chocolate, and other hearty snacks rich in protein and fiber can keep you full and content.

What to Pack in a Cooler For a Road Trip

To take it a step further, avoid overpaying for greasy fast food by packing a small cooler with sandwiches, fruits, chopped veggies, and dips. Consider bringing a portable stove to cook your main meals. Dishes like pan bagnat with fennel and sweet potato peanut stew are affordable and delicious options for road tripping on a budget. With numerous scenic spots along routes like New England’s high country, you can enjoy dinner with a view at various stopovers.

Alternatively, many Airbnb properties come equipped with cooking facilities such as a gas stove and kitchen sink. Since they typically include cookware and utensils, you can certainly save money by preparing your own meals (and coffee!) occasionally!

2. Bring Plenty of Water

3. go local.

Frequenting local eateries for every meal can deplete your funds rapidly, but charming local establishments offer a more unique dining experience and are often more budget-friendly.

Here’s the rationale: Opting for local cuisine enhances the joy of travel. Treat yourself to a meal or two out—American portion sizes are typically generous, making it a worthwhile.

But avoid places like McDonald’s (unless you need free Wi-Fi), chain restaurants, and eateries you have in your local area, as they are often overpriced. I recommend using Yelp to explore popular cuisines and highly-rated restaurants.

Pro Tip:  To secure the best deals, look for happy hours at local restaurants. Enjoy mingling with locals while taking advantage of happy hour prices during off-peak hours or daily specials. Utilize these opportunities to prevent overspending on food during your USA road trip.

4. Cook For Yourself

While having access to a kitchen in Airbnb properties is convenient, nothing beats the ability to cook meals when traveling in a campervan or RV. Larger RVs offer ample space, enabling you to pack various ingredients and enhance your cooking experience.

Having the ability to store leftovers in plastic containers is advantageous. Consider bringing essentials like a cutting board, a quality knife, and a 2-burner propane stove. This setup allows you to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously, use larger pots and pans, and cook more efficiently.

5. Take Advantage of Free Breakfasts

If you’re lodging in hotels during your road trip, opt for accommodations that provide complimentary breakfast. This covers one meal each day, reducing your daily expenses. Consider skipping expensive dinners and instead explore local restaurants for breakfast or lunch to sample regional specialties while sticking to budget-friendly meal options.

6. Limit Alcohol Consuprtion

While it’s tempting to unwind with a cold drink at the end of the day, excessive drinking can swiftly inflate your road trip expenses. Consider reducing alcohol consumption to maintain a budget-friendly journey.

While I’m not here to tell you to completely give up alcohol, bringing your own booze to enjoy can actually help you save a good amount of money. If exploring the bar scene is on your agenda, ask the locals where the cool hangouts are, scroll through Yelp reviews, search for happy hour deals, and visit the local brewery.

Food Costs in the United States

Fast food chains.

Fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell offer budget-friendly meal options, with prices typically ranging from $5 to $10 per meal.

Casual Dining Restaurants

Casual dining restaurants such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, and Olive Garden offer a mid-range dining experience, with prices averaging between $10 to $20 per meal.

Local Eateries

Local eateries and diners can provide affordable dining options, with prices varying based on the location and type of cuisine.

Fine Dining Restaurants

Fine dining establishments offer upscale dining experiences with prices ranging from $30 to $100 or more per person, depending on the restaurant and menu.

Grocery Stores

Purchasing groceries from supermarkets like Walmart, Kroger, or Safeway can be a cost-effective option for preparing your meals. Prices for groceries vary based on the items purchased.

Food Trucks and Street Food

Food trucks and street vendors offer a diverse range of affordable and delicious options, with prices usually ranging from $5 to $15 per meal.

Specialty and Ethnic Restaurants

Specialty and ethnic restaurants may offer unique dining experiences with prices varying depending on the cuisine and location.

Overall, food costs in the United States can be managed based on your dining preferences and budget. By exploring a mix of dining options, including cooking your meals, taking advantage of free breakfasts, and seeking out local eateries and happy hour deals, you can enjoy a variety of culinary experiences while staying within your budget during your road trip.

How to Save Money on Transportation on a USA Road Trip

On my 1-month road trip across the United States, gas was the biggest expense. It adds up quickly, especially if you’re driving a large vehicle or a van. I’m sharing the best tips for saving money on gas. Additionally, below, you’ll find a few practical ways to save money if you will be renting a car.

7. Rent a car (or a campervan)

If you don’t have a car of your own, or if you’re coming from overseas, you might be considering renting a car for your road trip. I like to use RentalCars.com to find a good deal. They compare the largest car rental companies in the U.S. to find the lowest price.

8. Plan Your Route

Mapping out your route is essential. Plan where you’re going to avoid unnecessary backtracking. While getting lost can lead to unexpected adventures, the extra gas expenses can add up over time.

9. Check Your Vehicle for Fuelefficiency

Prioritize a check-up for your car before hitting the road. Ensure your fluid levels are adequate, lights are functioning correctly, wiper blades are in good condition, and the air filter is clean. These factors can impact your fuel efficiency.

Additionally, staying on top of oil changes during your journey can prevent potential issues and save you money in the long term. Monitoring tire pressure is crucial, as underinflated tires can lead to decreased gas mileage.

Regular maintenance and quick tune-ups help prevent breakdowns that could result in significant expenses. Cutting your road trip short due to vehicle issues is not ideal. With some planning and maintenance, you can easily avoid common car problems. If you’re unsure about car maintenance, consider taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop before embarking on your trip

10. Drive Carefully and Get Roadside Assistance

Your driving habits significantly impact your car’s fuel efficiency. This is particularly noticeable when driving a VW van. Here are some fundamental tips to consider:

Driving at a steady speed of 55 mph can reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption, making long road trips more economical. Always drive at a reasonable speed, adhere to speed limits (average cost of a speeding ticket ranges from a fine of $150 to $200!), and avoid abrupt acceleration and braking. If your vehicle is equipped with cruise control, utilize it to regulate fuel consumption and maintain a consistent speed on highways.

It’s also beneficial to have the following items on hand:

• A spare tire and necessary tools for changing it;
• Jumper cables for jump-starting a dead battery;
• Flashlight (as driving accidents are more common at night);
• Safety triangle;
• Warm clothes;
• Water and non-perishable food items.

By being prepared with these essentials, you’ll be ready for unexpected situations on the road.

11. Take Advantage of Weekly Rates

Keep in mind that car rental prices can vary based on whether you opt for daily or weekly rentals. You can enjoy significant savings with longer-term rentals, as weekly rates are typically lower than daily rates. Additionally, car rental companies often appreciate longer rentals and may offer a complimentary upgrade to a more spacious vehicle.

In my experience, I often opt for the smallest car and end up driving a vehicle that, by European standards, would be considered a mid-range vehicle – spacious enough to comfortably seat three adults with sufficient luggage space.

12. Avoid One-Way Trips

When embarking on an extensive cross-country American road trip, the temptation to start in one location and finish elsewhere is natural. However, car rental companies typically charge a fee to cover the cost of returning the car to its original location.

These fees vary depending on the route’s popularity, and in many cases, they are unavoidable. It’s important to note that many online price comparison sites may not include these fees in their quotes. I have found Enterprise to offer good value in reducing one-way fees.

13. Use Public Transportation

In major cities, consider parking outside the city and utilizing public transportation to reach downtown areas. This can help you avoid exorbitant parking fees .

14. Avoid Additional Fees

Car rental companies often generate revenue by encouraging customers to sign up for various additional services, such as damage waiver fees and extra insurance. These additional services can sometimes cost more than the rental itself.

If you are paying for your rental with a credit card, your credit card company may offer its own rental car insurance. Before opting for the rental company’s insurance, compare both options. Additionally, carefully consider whether you truly need to spend extra on the rental company’s collision damage coverage.

That is why knowing exactly what cover you already have is so important. By being aware of your existing coverage, you can navigate this process without spending more money than necessary.

At some rental car companies, you have the option to prepay for gas, which can be convenient, especially when heading to an early morning flight. However, you’re unlikely to return the car on empty, so it’s advisable to fill up the rental car yourself to avoid giving agencies free gas. You can often find cheaper gas prices at nearby stations. Remember to refuel, as failing to do so could result in a substantial bill upon drop-off.

15. Find the Lowest Cheap Gas Prices

Your vehicle requires gas to operate, and prices can vary significantly among gas stations. Generally, gas stations located off the highway tend to be more expensive than those just a short drive away from the main road. Consider using a site or app like GasBuddy to compare prices and locate savings. GasBuddy allows you to input your location and displays the cheapest gas stations in your vicinity, potentially saving you money during your travels.

16. Use a Gas Rewards Card

Transport costs for travel in the united states.

Traveling in the USA typically requires a car. While there are alternative transportation options, discussing them is beyond the scope of this post. It’s important to note that many rental car companies charge high daily underage fees for drivers under 25 years old.

Price of Car Rental in the USA

Budget: $150 – $250 per week will get you a budget car that will fit two people and 2-3 medium-sized bags or suitcases; Mid-range: $200 – $350 for a mid-range car that will fit a group of four and their stuff; High-end: $450+ for a campervan, large crossovers or luxury vehicle.

Sightseeing Costs when Travelling in the USA

Now, let’s explore how to save money on activities during a USA road trip. I can’t envision a road trip without stopping to snap cool shots, marvel at natural landmarks, and engage in some hiking.

Of course, the type of sightseeing activities you choose to engage in will vary based on your personal interests. However, I assume you might be interested in visiting attractions, museums, national parks, and breathtaking landscapes. In general, I recommend budgeting at least $10 – $30 per person per day for sightseeing expenses. Here are some tips to help you save money on a USA road trip while still enjoying some bucket list activities.

17. Get a National Park Pass

One of the highlights of road-tripping in the USA is exploring its incredible National Parks. If you plan to visit more than three National Parks during your road trip, investing in a National Park Pass is a wise decision. While priced at $80, it easily covers entrance fees for your vehicle and all passengers, ultimately saving you money on admissions. If you intend to spend a significant amount of time in a specific state or region, consider looking into local passes as well.

18. Purchase a City Pass

Consider purchasing a City Pass if you anticipate visiting numerous popular attractions on your road trip. For instance, companies like CityPass offer passes for cities such as New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and San Francisco . These passes provide access to a variety of attractions and often allow you to skip lines. They are typically cost-effective, especially for larger groups of travelers.

19. Visit For Free

While it may sound challenging, one way to explore museums and attractions in the USA for free is to take advantage of free days. These may occur on specific days of the month or coincide with national “Free Museum Day” events. Simply conduct a quick Google search to identify free entry opportunities for the city and type of attraction you are interested in.

Alternatively, there are numerous free (or inexpensive!) activities to enjoy throughout the USA. Once again, type “free things to do in [your location here]” in the search bar to discover cost-effective options. Some of the free activities I typically seek out include hikes, local markets, free live music events, camping sites, beaches, and museums, among others.

20. Use Concessions

If you belong to a specific group, such as individuals with disabilities, military personnel, or members of certain organizations, you may be eligible for discounts or even free admission at various attractions. Conduct research in advance to determine what benefits you are entitled to.

21. Plan out Splurges in Advance

While it’s tempting to splurge on everything during a vacation—eating out frequently, booking expensive tours, and acquiring numerous souvenirs—it’s easy to exceed your budget. Instead, limit your indulgences by planning them in advance. Consider purchasing meaningful souvenirs rather than accumulating items that may fill an extra suitcase.

22. Stay Frugal in Heavily Touristed Areas

Popular tourist destinations often come with high costs. For instance, free parking may be available near paid parking lots. Some agencies may charge exorbitant prices for tours when more affordable options are readily available nearby or can be self-guided. Visit the agency’s website, study their itinerary, adjust it based on your interests, and create your own DIY city tour. This approach can help you save money while exploring heavily touristed areas.

23. Travel During the Offseason

Not only you’ll encounter fewer tourists and shorter lines, but also save some money by traveling outside of peak season. There have been a few times when I flat out skipped a major tourist attraction, like museums, temples, and monuments, because the lines were unbearably long.

The last thing you want to do when exploring a new place on a road trip is to waste your precious time doing absolutely nothing while waiting in line.

The shoulder season can offer really cheap prices, nice weather, and all the same attractions free of crowds. Consider this quieter time a better way to visit a destination. The offseason is also a perfect time to meet locals and really see what the location is like when it isn’t high time to be there. Take a chance and see what you can find.

How to Save Money on Accommodation on a USA Road Trip

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses of a road trip. However, there are ways to reduce accommodation costs for travel in the USA. The country has a range of accommodation options to meet pretty much every niche, from cozy B&B’s to budget motels to hostels to campsites to modern luxury hotels. Finding cheap accommodation is one of the best ways to save money on a great American road trip.

Here’s how:

24. Find Free Campsites

To secure the best value accommodation, camping can present a straightforward (or sometimes challenging) option for saving money during a USA road trip. If your vehicle offers sufficient space, bring along pillows and extra blankets for a quick and makeshift night of sleep. Alternatively, consider renting a campervan for your journey. Depending on the region and duration of your road trip, renting a campervan might still be a more cost-effective option than staying in hotels every night.

As a keen camper during my road trips, I have discovered that National Forests often offer more affordable or even free camping options. When exploring the Western states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands stand out as exceptional choices. BLM lands provide intriguing camping opportunities at no cost. Visit recreation.gov to access a wide range of outdoor activities on public lands, including national parks and national forests.

Some states have vast expanses of land where you can legally park overnight and sleep. This type of camping is often referred to as free camping, pirate camping, or boondocking. While it may not always be the most convenient accommodation option, it serves as a great solution when you’re looking to save money on lodging expenses.

Unlike paid campsites, dispersed campsites typically lack many of the amenities you would expect, such as restrooms, showers, and dining facilities. However, what you do receive is a breathtaking view of the star-filled sky, the rustling of the wind through the trees, and the satisfaction of venturing off the beaten path.

Finding a Campsite

My favorite tools for scoring cheap campsites are Campendium , Freecampsites , and iOverlander . These are the great road trip resources that list the price of the site as well as what is available there. Perfect for any budget road trip in the USA.

25. Stay At Affordable Hotel Chains

You’ll encounter a wide array of hotels throughout the USA, with some operating independently and others belonging to budget chains that have a nationwide presence.

In larger cities, hostels are available, but low-cost hotels and motels typically offer the best value in rural areas.

Hotels and motels differ in various aspects, including layout, location, and construction.

Motels are commonly situated alongside major highways, interstates, and ring roads, providing shorter-term accommodations compared to hotels.

Hotels typically offer more amenities and services, such as room service and a concierge to cater to guests’ diverse needs. It’s worth noting that you may typically pay more for an average room in a chain motel located in expensive tourist destinations than for a room in a hotel in smaller cities.

Chains like Travelodge, America’s Best Value Inn, or Motel 6 are concentrated near Interstate exits and on the outskirts of many towns and cities.

While expectations should be managed, based on my experiences, you can generally expect a bed, some form of breakfast, a private bathroom, and complimentary parking at these establishments.

26. Book Accommodation in Advance

27. compare accommodation options on different sites.

Hotels are often listed at varying rates. To find the best deals, consider exploring beyond traditional options and utilize comparison sites like Agoda. Additionally, check alternative hotel booking platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia to discover potential specials or discounted rates directly on their websites. If a hotel lacks an online presence, consider reaching out via message or phone to inquire about pricing for accommodations.

I would not recommend visiting the property in person. This approach not only consumes time but the rates offered in person are typically much higher when compared to online rates. In most instances, reception managers are unlikely to match the online rates and may simply advise you to book through the website.

Price of Accommodation in the USA

Budget: The average private room in a budget hotel or motel costs between $40 and $90, depending on location and demand; Mid-range: Outside of Washington DC, Miami and NYC, I found private rooms for $100 – $200 per night for two people High-end: There is no upper limit on the cost, but $350+ is your starting point I’d suggest

Final Thoughts On Best Ways to Save Money On a USA Road Trip

On average, you’re likely to spend between $60 to $170 per person per day on travel expenses in the USA. This estimate should encompass accommodation, sightseeing, food, and transportation costs.

When it comes to saving money on a USA road trip, traveling as a group is unbeatable. Many expenses, such as car rentals, fuel, and accommodation, are fixed. By traveling in a group of 2-4 individuals, splitting these costs and journeying together in a single vehicle proves to be more cost-effective for a road trip compared to traveling alone.

That concludes my post on the cost of travel in the USA! I hope you found it helpful. Now, it’s your turn—what are your top tips for planning an affordable road trip in the USA on a budget? Share your insights, money-saving strategies, and suggestions for a cost-effective road trip! Feel free to let me know your thoughts, tips, and recommendations in the comments.  

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So many valuable details on saving money on a road trip! I’ll save this post for my epic journey!

I have always wanted to do Route 66. I am sure these tips will help me do it much cheaper!

Ooooh yes such great tips, this will definitely come in handy when we plan our own trip!! 🙂

katy gilroy

This is so helpful, I really want to do a US road trip one day and I’d definitely be doing so on a budget! x

Thank you for this article! So much great information!

Lot of good stuff. We love road trips and have a couple planned for this year. Definitely going to use some of these tips.

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How to Create a Road Trip Budget + 16 Money-Saving Tips

Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Michela

A good old-fashioned road trip is one of the most exciting ways to travel, where the journey is just as fun as the destination! However, the wonderful spontaneity and flexibility that road tripping allows you can also create another problem – a budget blowout. It’s difficult to keep track of and pin point expenses on the road, so the key to creating a thorough and useful road trip budget is in the planning.

Planning may sound like it takes the fun out of a road trip, but it’s the best way to avoid unnecessary costs. If you know what expenses are coming, you won’t be caught by surprise!

You’ll find the eight key steps to formulating your road trip budget and an abundance of tips to help you save money on the road in this post. Make planning your road trip budget a breeze so once you hit the road, you can enjoy the experience instead of stressing over your wallet!

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

How to Create a Road Trip Budget

Creating a road trip budget is not easy. As mentioned, the flexibility of a road trip and not having to rely on public transportation means you can completely customize your itinerary.

But that same flexibility makes it hard to pin point as you go just how much you’re spending. These eight steps will get you on the right path to budgeting success!

1. Determine an overall budget

While you may not be able to predict every cost on the road, you can set a total cost that you’re not willing to surpass for the trip.

Things you’ll have to factor into this overall budget are:

• How many people are you road tripping with? Are you splitting costs?
• Are you planning to camp or stay in hotels?
• Will you have access to a kitchen or do you plan to eat every meal out?
• How long will your road trip be? Are those dates fixed, or is there a chance your trip will be extended?

Gather all of this info, combined with researching average prices in the area you’re traveling (for which you can use BudgetYourTrip) and then come up with a ball-park maximum spending you want to abide by.

Then you can break down that number per day or per person. Having a smaller number to reference can help keep you on track, rather than a total budget goal that’s difficult to abide by while on your trip.

2. Decide how you’re going to track your spending

The next step is to figure out through which medium you will track your road trip budget. It’s easy to say you’re going to only spend so much, but it’s another thing to have the numbers visible and accurate to keep you from going over budget.

In fact, if you don’t write the information down somewhere, it will be extremely difficult to not overspend!

There are several ways you can track your spending for your trip, through apps, your own spreadsheet, or using my free printable road trip budget spreadsheet.

Traveling in a couple or group? Tracking your spending makes everything easier when splitting the road trip costs!

3. Plan out your itinerary

Organizing an itinerary is essential to accurately planning a road trip budget. Extra stops, detours, and mistakes with directions means money out of your pocket!

Road trips are great for the freedom they give you to choose when and where you’d like to stop. So I highly encourage to stay spontaneous!

But there’s also a way to be smart about it when it comes to sticking to a budget. Planning out the main things you want to see and do using a tool like Google Maps Trip Planner (I have an entire post explaining how to use this tool to create a great itinerary )

4. Renting a car or using your own

How you’re getting around on your road trip can have a great effect on your expenses. If you’re renting a car, that’s an extra cost to factor into your budget, but it comes with the plus that you’re not putting extra mileage on your own vehicle.

Car rentals can be notoriously expensive, so it is best to book as early as possible to get a good deal. Picking the car up in a city or town is usually cheaper than at the airport.

Use comparison sites like AutoEurope or Rentalcars.com to see which companies offer the best rate.

Instead when using your own car, make sure to do an overall check and take it in for maintenance before heading out on a big road trip.

You may also want to pack things for emergencies, like warning triangles, a yellow safety vest, jumper cables, snow chains if you’re traveling in winter, and make sure you have a spare tire.

It’s one thing to run into car trouble close to home, but abroad or far from the areas you know can make emergency situations feel more stressful and scary. Be as prepared as possible with helpful gear!

5. Estimate fuel & toll costs with ViaMichelin

My favorite road trip planning tool both for budget estimating and for deciding where I want to visit is ViaMichelin . ViaMichelin can calculate based on different routes, your car make and model, and tons of other factors how much it’s going to cost you for gas, tolls, and other road-related expenses.

6. Book accommodation in advance

I have rarely found accommodation to get cheaper the closer you book. If anything you’re left with less options, especially in popular destinations, which doesn’t usually mean the budget-friendly ones are still available.

In what season you travel will also influence how much you’ll pay for accommodation, so if you have the flexibility, choose a place that is not going through its main tourist season for cheaper prices.

Booking in advance also gives you piece of mind and a price of your budget already known. Last-minute deals exist, but rewards don’t come without risk!

7. Determine your must-do activities

While sticking to a budget and using all the money-saving tips you can find can ease your mind on finances, travel is all about having amazing experiences. I am definitely one to splurge for the things on my bucket list!

Allow yourself the freedom with money to still make your trip worthwhile. Note while doing your trip research what are must-do activities for you and which would be nice-to-do.

Allocate money to your must-do activities and see how much you can save elsewhere to be able to afford the nice-to-do activities.

8. Leave room for miscellaneous costs & unexpected emergencies

It’s very rare that a road trip ever goes completely to plan, just like most travel experiences! Allocate a bit of your budget towards emergencies, like car breakdowns, and miscellaneous costs like souvenirs or surprise parking tickets.

It’s difficult to get a truly accurate number of a total road trip cost, but leaving a bit left over ensures you have the means to pay for unexpected situations.

Useful Budgeting Tools

• Wanderlog – For planning your itinerary, I recommend Google Maps Trip Planner as I mentioned before, or the app Wanderlog. In Wanderlog, you can input stops you want to make on your trip, bookings, and track expenses.
• BudgetYourTrip – BudgetYourTrip takes average prices around the world plus your trip information to give you an estimate of your total trip cost, plus breakdowns in different categories like accommodation and food. If you create an account you can create your own trip and track expenses within the service.
• Trail Wallet – Trail Wallet is an expense tracking app specifically made for travel, so you can add your trips, set a daily budget for each trip, and track expenses to make sure you stay on budget.
• Expensify – Expensify is a general expenses tracking app in which you can scan receipts as you travel and have the info stored in the app to reference later – perfect for travelers splitting costs.
• ViaMichelin – ViaMichelin is a well-thought out and dynamic tool that can help you predict a variety of road trip expenses by giving detailed information about your vehicle and route. It’s also available worldwide.
• AAA Gas Calculator – If you’re traveling in the US, you could reference this fuel calculator to get an estimate of gas costs.
• GasBuddy – If you’re traveling in the US, Canada, or Australia, use the GasBuddy app to find low gas prices near you. You can also try using gas station’s rewards credit cards to earn points towards gas purchases.
• EasyPark – Easypark is available in certain countries in Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, and it is a super helpful tool for not overspending on parking, allowing to control how much you spend and how long you stay from your phone!

How to Save Money on a Road Trip

Now that you’ve put together a road trip budget, it’s time to learn how and where you can costs throughout your trip.

Saving Money While Driving

Avoid tolls.

Traveling by highway is convenient but costly! A road trip is made for scenic drives anyways, so when inputting your destination into Google Maps or whatever you use, make sure to select the route that voids tolls.

In Google Maps you can even adjust your settings to make sure every route that appears avoids tolls.

To do this: input your destination and then select the 3 dots at the top right of the screen, next to your starting point. Then select “route options” and toggle on the “avoids tolls” option.

Good to Know: Carry some cash in local currency and in small bills while on a road trip in case you get caught up at a toll or have to pay for bathrooms at rest stops (yeah, they make you do that sometimes in Europe!)

Use public transportation in cities

Depending on the destination, you may discover its more bang for your buck to leave the car in a free parking spot on the outskirts of a city (or your accommodation) and head into the city with public transportation.

In Zurich , it can cost more than $5 per hour , which greatly adds up if you’re spending the whole day exploring.

Most city tourism websites will have a dedicated section to parking information, so I would start there to get an idea if it’s more worth it to travel by public transportation.

Research free parking options before arrival

While you’re in the car (if you’re not the one driving), do some simple searches on Google to discover free, or at least low-cost, parking areas. You’ll probably have to sift through Google reviews to get information about exact rates, but it’s worth the savings!

Research local driving rules & road conditions

Knowing local rules and how well-maintained the roads are where you will traveling will allow you to avoid surprise expenses.

For example, to use highways while driving in Switzerland , everyone including visitors and residents, must purchase the “vignette” a sticker that goes in your window, lasts the entire calendar year, and costs about 40€ ($46) depending on where you buy it.

Highways in Switzerland don’t have tolls, so in order to use them, you have to pay for the sticker.

Meanwhile driving in Italy , you’ll find cities have ZTL or zona traffico limitato , meaning only residents can pass. If you’re not a resident and you take that road, you get a fine.

Moral of the story: knowing the rules means you can avoid surprise charges. Plus, you’ll be an all-over more comfortable driver, which can be an intimidating experience abroad.

Good to Know: Do you need an International Driver’s Permit? An International Driver’s Permit is essentially a certification of you home country driver’s license that can be translated into different languages. Research if the country you’ll be driving in requires visitors to have one in order to avoid a ticket if you get pulled over. (It will also be an extra cost to factor into your budget!) My International Trav el Checklist is another resource that could be useful to you preparing to go abroad!

Saving Money on Food

Food is one of the most difficult areas to budget, as eating out at restaurants can vary greatly in price. Preparing food ahead of time and deciding a fixed number of meals out can help you control your spending.

Bring Snacks

What’s a road trip without snacks? Prepping food ahead of hitting the road can avoid impulsive snack purchases at rest stops!

Here are some essentials for on-the-road snack packing:

• Reusable snack bags
• Cooler (There are so many options at so many price ranges!)
• Brita reusable filtered water bottles

Prepare your own meals

Cooking is typically less expensive than eating out, but preparing your own meals on the road requires a little ingenuity.

Firstly, you can choose accommodation that offers a kitchenF.

Or, you can pack some gadgets to help you make meals!

Here are some road trip cooking essentials:

• Wacaco Minipresso Portable Coffee Maker
• Portable Electric Kettle
• RoadPro Saucepan
• Roadpro Roaster

First, order less

I know when I’m hungry and I’m finally seated at a restaurant, my grumbling stomach is telling me to order the appetizer, the extra side dish, the dessert and more.

Then I find after the first course that I don’t really have as much room for food as I thought I did!

What I’m saying is you can always order more if you’re hungry, so don’t let the initial cravings take over and end up leaving food on the plate.

Choose hotels with breakfast included

Some may see breakfast included as an extra cost included in the accommodation price, but what it truly becomes is one less thing to worry about.

The first meal of the day can be the most unpredictable if you try to eat out a restaurant or realize you don’t have an item to fix up the meal you planned to cook (which can easily happen when you’re keeping track of packing so many things on a road trip.)

That’s why breakfast included at a hotel is one of my go-to search filters because its easy and convenient.

Plus, free breakfast is typically served buffet or continental style, so you can fill up with as much as your tummy desires (and maybe even wrap up a pastry or take a piece of fruit to go!)

Saving Money on Accommodation

Consider campgrounds even if not traveling with a camper.

On my last road trip through Valle D’Aosta, I tried out a new type of accommodation I’ve never stayed at before – a campground!

If you are road tripping in a camper, then you have the opportunity to take advantage of free campsites where you’re traveling! But I had no idea there were other accommodation offerings at campgrounds.

I thought campgrounds were only for RVs, but turns out here in Italy, many of them also offer bungalows, small standalone cottages.

We went for this accommodation because one night in a bungalow near Breuil-Cervinia was only 45€ compared to 120€ minimum for hotels in the area.

It wasn’t the epitome of luxury, but it was a nice one-night stay with all the amenities we needed – plus a kitchen, perfect for helping road trippers save money on food!

(If you want to know the exact accommodation, it was Villaggio Turistico Camping Cervinia !)

So, check out all types of accommodation options for a good deal!

Book apartment stays

It’s no secret apartment stays are taking over the accommodation world because they tend to be cheaper per night than hotels.

I always cross-reference Booking.com (both hotels & apartment stays) with Airbnb to see what options are available. To be honest, because of the fees Airbnbs can charge, it usually turns out to be a better deal to book an apartment stay through Booking.com.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing isn’t for everyone, but it could be for the more adventurous road trippers reading this post! I’m sharing it because it’s a good option for travelers trying to stay on a budget.

You’ll basically do as the name says – you’ll couchsurf aka sleep on stranger’s couches who have agreed to participate on the platform! It costs about $15 per year to keep your account and use the platform. So that’s basically a steal for trip accommodation!

I’ve never tried it personally, but it could be a great way for social travelers to make friends with locals if you’re comfortable with the idea.

Hotel loyalty discounts

Hotel loyalty can pay off if you play your cards right. Many hotel groups have their own offers like Hotels.com which gives you a night free for every 10 nights booked, or Booking.com that has different levels of Genius discounts.

Find a program and booking platform you like to reap the benefits of the loyalty programs!

Good to Know: While booking platforms are helpful to get an overview of available accommodations, it could pay off to cross-reference with the website of your chosen accommodation to see if they offer extra deals for booking on their own website.

HotelTonight

If you’re willing to risk it for a good deal, then I recommend you check out HotelTonight . You can only book hotels 7 days in advance and there’s one special offer every day that’s only available that day.

The main idea is this last-minute booking opportunity makes luxury stays more affordable, so it may not be the best option for those looking for a true budget steal.

Saving Money on Activities

Be wary of traveling too out of your way.

Being spontaneous is part of what makes a road trip a great form of travel! Just be wary about how far you’re drifting from your itinerary if you’re on a tight budget. It’s difficult to estimate

Find free things to do

One of the easiest ways to save money is not spend money on activities at all! While it’s not likely you’ll only engage in free activities, you can offset the cost and save money on your road trip by seeking out free things to do.

You can reference blogs, official tourism websites, and local places like your accommodation to discover free things to do at your destination.

Walking tours, church visits, and free museum days are some go-to free activities!

City & National Park Passes

The theme of your road trip will influence if you buy the tourism pass at your itinerary stops, but they can be worth the price.

For example, the Zurich City Card includes entry to a list of museums and attractions, discounted entry to more, and discounts on transportation.

Or if you’re road tripping through the midwest, the CityPass Chicago will save you money if you plan on doing every attraction.

If you are on a US national parks road trip, then it’s definitely worth buying the National Park Pass . While passes can seem expensive up front, if the activities you are planning to do are included, then it could be a tool to help you save money.

Printable Road Trip Budget Planner

Plan and track your budget with my cute, easy-to-use road trip budget planner! You can download and print this free planner in The Travel Library!

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I hope this post and extra resource are helpful throughout planning your road trip budget!

How is your road trip budget coming along? Let me know in the comments!

Save these budget travel tips on Pinterest!

Have fun and be safe hitting the road!

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

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US West Coast Road Trip: Campervan Budget and Costs

It takes time to plan the ultimate campervan road trip in the USA .

There is the itinerary, activities to book and campsites to find. Also essential is a road trip budget.

To help you with this last critical step, in this post we are going to break down the campervan budget for a 4 week US West Coast road trip.

• 1 West Coast Road Trip USA
• 2 Road Trip Budget
• 3.1 Our Travel Style
• 3.2 Trip Statistics
• 3.3 What Is Included
• 3.4 What Is Not Included
• 4.1 Use a Budget App
• 5.1 Campervan / RV Rental – $2,030 / $64 per day
• 5.2 Other Transport Costs – $773 / $22 per day
• 5.3 Accommodation – $1,044 / $30 per day
• 5.4 Groceries – $1,670 / $48 per day
• 5.5 Eating out – $402 / $11 per day
• 5.6 Activities – $459 / $13 per day
• 5.7 Other Costs – $55 / $1.50 per day
• 5.8 Guide Books
• 6.1 Key Resources to Book Your West Coast Family Road Trip!

West Coast Road Trip USA

We were excited to spend almost 5 weeks on a USA West Coast road trip.

California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona all offer an enormous variety of experiences on the ultimate USA road trip.

With some of the best National Parks in the world, famous cities, even more famous beaches and classic driving routes, there is a lot to love about this US road trip itinerary.

Read Next: 4 week US South West Road Trip Itinerary

Road Trip Budget

So an important question is how much does a road trip cost? When we prepared our roadtrip USA budget we found it difficult to find good, detailed road trip costs.

There just didn’t seem to be much detailed information about the average cost of an american road trip, especially for a family.

So, during our US road trip we monitored our campervan budget and kept track of all our expenses. The good news is that with a little planning, your campervan travel costs don’t need to break the bank.

We hope you find this information a useful starting point to develop your own family road trip budget. It will at least give you an idea of what things cost to help you plan your ultimate American road trip.

West Coast USA Campervan Budget

Your travel style has a big impact on your trip costs.

Some people like to eat out a lot, others like to pay for lots of activities. Some people like to stay in hotel rooms when they travel.

To ‘set the scene’ for our USA travel budget, we describe below how we travel. Compare your own style of travel in order to develop your personal USA travel budget.

Our Travel Style

• A small RV was our home for the majority of this West Coast America road trip.
• We tended towards budget travel. To be honest, it is the only way we can afford to travel . So no expensive hotel stays on this trip.
• On the road we purchased snacks, beer and wine, but we rarely ate out at restaurants.
• Cheap and free activities were our preference. Occasionally we splurged on special activities (which we have listed).
• We stayed in a mixture of National Park campgrounds and private RV parks.

Trip Statistics

• Length of Trip: 35 days
• Distance Travelled: 1631 miles (2624 kilometres)

What Is Included

• RV rental, transport, fuel, accommodation, groceries, eating out and activities.
• Costs are for 4 people (2 adults and 2 children aged 10 and 8).
• Costs are in $USD and based on travel in October 2017.

What Is Not Included

• Travel insurance
• A very expensive but enjoyable day trip to Disneyland.

All of these costs vary depending on where you are coming from and whether you have kids who have a burning desire to go to Disneyland.

Transfer money internationally with ease with Wise .

Wise is an online money transfer service which lets you quickly and easily transfer money much more cheaply than a bank. We use and love Wise!

Click here to find out more

How We Track Our Trip Costs

We find the easiest way to road trip on a budget is to track our expenses day by day.

We can quickly see if we have overspent and plan for cheap days to get back on track. Knowledge is power and this is so true when it comes to managing your US road trip costs.

Use a Budget App

So how do we do this? We love and use an app called Trabee Pocket. It is available on both Android and IOS devices.

The app allows you to set up a budget, categories and enter every cost each day while on the go. It is quick and easy to do and it soon becomes a simple habit.

We can’t recommend this app enough for anyone wanting to take a budget road trip – it should be included on your road trip checklist .

Once you try it out we recommend you purchase the paid version – they offer far more functionality for a very small price.

Detailed Road Trip Costs

The best way to budget a road trip is to break it down into the main cost categories and work out an average cost per day. This process will give you a good starting point for how much money you need to save for your road trip budget.

The actual daily cost will fluctuate depending on where you stay and how far you travel each day, but if you track your costs you will know how you are tracking against your average cost.

Campervan / RV Rental – $2,030 / $64 per day

Campervan travel has to be one of the best ways to explore America. Whilst we love camping in a tent with the kids, if you are moving regularly, a campervan is easier to set up and pack down.

How much does a campervan cost? It is common for people to worry about renting an RV due to the daily cost.

While we agree RV rental can be expensive, our experience renting campervans in several countries including Africa and Australia has shown that bargains can be found.

Plus, if you are prepared to cook your own meals and stay at cheap campsites, you will quickly offset the van rental costs.

Click here to compare RV prices

Tips to Reduce your Campervan Hire Costs

There is no doubt hiring a campervan in USA during the peak summer season comes at a high price. Our tips for reducing campervan travel costs and planning a road trip around the USA on a budget are:

• Avoid peak season RV rental. Prices jump significantly during this time and it is difficult to find a bargain.
• Look at small campervan rental. The large RVs are more expensive – not only to hire but also to refuel and park.
• Plan a longer trip! The average daily price will drop for longer rental periods.
• If you have young kids, bring your own travel car seat instead of renting one.

If an RV is not for you, don’t forget there are other ways to road trip on a budget.

Hiring a car (or using your own car) and packing camping gear is another way to save a load of cash when on a road trip.

Click here to compare car rental prices

Campervan Hire in USA

For our US West Coast road trip we rented a Jucy Camper. Unconventional, perhaps, in a country renowned for its oversized RVs. We certainly attracted plenty of attention pulling up at RV Parks with our itty bitty green camper!

The Jucy Campers offer great flexibility for shorter road trips, even for a family of 4. They are the size of a regular car, with beds for 4 people, a functional kitchen and a small fridge.

In a Jucy Camper you get all the convenience of a regular sized vehicle with the freedom to stay wherever you please plus the convenience of a kitchen to prepare your own meals. Due to their size and simple set up there is less to learn before you start your trip.

You do spend more time outside cooking and eating than what you would in a full-size RV, but we loved this because it felt more like camping.

Jucy Campers are also much cheaper than a full-size RV and are a good choice for a budget trip to USA. We traveled in the shoulder season and were very excited to secure a great deal on the Jucy Camper for 32 days at $64 USD per day.

If you are considering campervan hire in USA, we recommend booking through  Motorhome Republic . They have a wide range of campers available, including the Jucy campers and full size RVs for longer trips.

Click here to compare the latest RV prices

Other Transport Costs – $773 / $22 per day

The good news for your campervan budget is that gas is cheap in the USA compared to many other countries. This really helps keep your American road trip cost down.

In this category we include gas (petrol), tolls, parking fees, butane fuel canisters for the gas cooker and car rental in San Francisco.

We were staying further out of town with friends in San Francisco at the end of our road trip and were able to book a car for $35 USD per day.

This category also includes taxi costs in Las Vegas and to/from the car rental locations in San Francisco. We used Lyft in the USA for all our taxi rides.

Transport costs breakdown:

If you are considering car rental for your road trip, we recommend discovercars.com

With all the biggest car hire brands available, we find it quick and easy to book with them, no matter what country we are in.

Click here to check prices

Accommodation – $1,044 / $30 per day

This category covers campsites and hotel accommodation. Overall, we thought private campgrounds in the USA were expensive compared to many countries in Europe, but cheaper than in Australia.

Campgrounds in the National Parks were pretty good value at around $25 USD a night. Campsites were well designed and each site had a picnic table and fire ring or grill.

Our trip overlapped with local school holidays when we visited Zion National Park. We were unable to secure a spot in the National Park Campground and stayed at a privately run (and more expensive) campground outside the park.

When we visited Yosemite National Park   we were also unable to secure a campsite within the park. Again, we stayed just outside the park at a private campground.

On two particularly cold and wet nights we opted to stay in budget hotels which increased our costs.

We were able to find great last minute deals on booking.com and found perfectly warm and dry rooms for $80 USD a night.

Click here to find the best hotel deals

We were fortunate to stay with friends in San Francisco, so had 6 nights free accommodation during the month.

Staying in Campgrounds vs Free Camping

You will also note from the number of nights in campgrounds that we didn’t free camp (boondocking / wild camping). To be honest we didn’t have the time to search for good free camps on this trip.

There are many websites that list free camps, so if you want to travel USA on a budget, finding free camps is where you should invest some time. This article provides a good summary of the options and links to free camping websites.

Another option if you have an RV or Trailer is to register with Harvest Hosts . With a huge network of unique sites across the country, you can stay for free at sites like wineries, farms, golf courses and attractions.

We find campgrounds offer many benefits. Apart from the pleasure of a daily shower, our kids have space to explore safely, in some they can often enjoy a swim in the pool at the end of the day, and they have the opportunity to meet and play with other kids.

The CampersCard is a good option if you plan to stay at paid campsites – it offers discounts on site bookings plus plenty of other discounts and perks for members.

But, if you are looking to do a US road trip on a budget, free camping is one of the best ways to save large amounts of money.

US National Park Campground Bookings

If you are planning to visit any of the USA National Parks, we recommend you check well in advance if you can pre-book on  Recreation.gov . Campgrounds within Yosemite National Park book out months in advance.

Your best chance of securing a site at these high demand sites is to register with CampScanner . You select the parks you want to book and you will be notified the minute they open for bookings.

On the flip side, some National Parks have a no booking system. For these it is first in, best dressed (like Zion National Park and Joshua Tree National Park).

For campgrounds with no bookings you need to plan to arrive very early, especially on weekends and during peak periods, to have any chance of getting a spot.

Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.

World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Groceries – $1,670 / $48 per day

We prepared almost all the 105 meals eaten during our road trip. So this cost per day covers every breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, most lunches and dinners, plus marshmallows for toasting on the fire.

While this total cost looks high, it includes groceries, beer, wine and ice for 4 people. It also includes firewood as we usually bought wood at the supermarket.

We think this shows a HUGE saving over eating out, right? Cooking your own meals is the secret to cheap family road trips and is where you will re-coup some of that higher RV rental cost.

I know, it isn’t as glamorous or easy as sitting down at a restaurant. But eating just one meal out each day would most likely cost more than this total daily food cost.

Even when you include our eating out costs in the next category, the total cost is still way below the cost of eating out all meals each day.

Cooking on the Road

To give some perspective on how well we ate for this cost:

• Breakfast was typically bagels, cereal or eggs on toast.
• Lunch was generally bread rolls with deli meat or salad fillings.
• Dinner was simple – pasta, sausages, salad, chicken, etc. We found beef to be expensive and didn’t buy it much.
• We often purchased bakery treats, beer and wine in addition to our regular groceries and these costs are included in the grocery total cost.

The fridge in the Jucy Camper was big enough to fit our chilled groceries (we shopped every few days). It was not large enough to fit our drinks. We purchased a cooler bag and kept it topped up with ice to keep our milk, juice, beer and wine chilled.

Cooking Equipment

The Jucy Camper was well equipped with saucepans, frypan, kettle, and utensils for preparing meals.

We purchased a camping cookbook  which was very useful for coming up with simple meal ideas each night and these camp cooking hacks include some great ideas for making cooking outdoors easy.

All meals in the cookbook could be prepared on a gas cooktop or over an open fire and we referred to it each day for inspiration.

We also purchased this stove top coffee maker , this awesome toast maker and containers to store leftover food which helped us reduce food wastage and save even more money.

Most campgrounds permitted fires so we regularly purchased firewood. As the evenings were cool (freezing at times) and we didn’t have space inside the Jucy Camper to hang out, this was a great way to stay warm.

Plus, it was great to have a campfire each night. The kids became masters of stoking the fire, loved roasting marshmallows and constructing s’mores.

Eating out – $402 / $11 per day

As you can see from the cost per day, we didn’t eat out much! We prefer to spend our limited cash on experiences than on food in restaurants.

During our budget road trip we had one splurge on a ridiculously expensive meal in Las Vegas (don’t ask) and 4 take-out meals – pizza and burgers.

This category includes those dinners plus many take-out snacks, including ice creams, pastries and general rewards (bribes) for hiking with the kids.

Activities – $459 / $13 per day

We were surprised to find that activities in the USA were quite expensive. That is, apart from hiking in the National Parks.

Our $80 USD annual National Parks Pass  meant we were free to enjoy the hiking trails, junior ranger programs and shuttle buses to get around at the 6 National Parks we visited.

If you want to take a family road trip on a budget, we recommend you spend some time before you go researching the paid activities available. Also chat to your kids about what they might like to do.

It is possible, but not necessary, to spend infinite amounts of money on expensive activities.

We suggest you plan ahead and choose a select number of memorable activities for the family.

Activities are a great gift idea for RV travelers , so plan ahead and suggest some ideas to your loved ones before you go!

In the US we recommend taking a look at Get Your Guide and Viator for unique experiences and activities. They both offer a huge range of tours and we find them both to be reliable and well run.

Click here to browse the huge range of activities available

Our total spend in this category includes the activities we splurged on during our road trip in USA.

I have itemized them below as activities are a highly personal decision so I wanted you to be able to easily remove it from the total cost.

Other Costs – $55 / $1.50 per day

Laundry:  $25. Campground washing machines were cheaper in the USA than anywhere else in the world! So while we were used to hand washing regularly, on this road trip we made more use of the machine to save us time.

Mobile SIM CARD: $30. This was a single recharge for the month.

Guide Books

I haven’t included the cost of guide books and hiking guides that we purchased as these are totally optional. Who buys guide books any more I hear you say?

Well, we do and we recommend you do too! Why? Cell (mobile) coverage is very patchy throughout the National Parks. We found it incredibly frustrating to plan our trip, find accommodation and research activities without mobile reception.

For this reason we strongly recommend you take hard copies of any guide books, maps, hiking guides or books you may need during your trip.

In addition to our favorite guide book, the Lonely Planet , we also highly recommend you purchase a copy of this National Parks Guide .

We referred to this book on a daily basis during our US West Coast road trip to plan hikes and activities in each of the National Parks.

Road trip on a Budget – Summary

Total trip cost:  $6,435 USD / $184 USD per day

Our total family road trip cost was $6,435. That is $184 USD per day for a family of 4.  Some hotel rooms cost more than that a night!

I am certain that our ultimate US road trip cost could have been less. Areas where we could have saved money:

• Chosen a more affordable buffet meal in Las Vegas
• Opted to free camp
• Spent less on treats such as beer and marshmallows.

If you don’t need to rent a vehicle you can instantly cut this total cost by a third.

The USA West Coast was an easy and fun place to road trip in a campervan with kids. There is so much to see and do and in our opinion it is one of the best US road trips for families. You can read more about our West Coast itinerary here.

Read Next: Best US Road Trip Routes

Key Resources to Book Your West Coast Family Road Trip!

Flights to USA  –  Skyscanner  is our favorite flight search site. It compares hundreds of sites and millions of flights to show you the best deals available.

Accommodation  – For the National Parks book  here . For hotels in the USA we recommend booking.com

Transport  –  If you would like to rent a campervan in USA check out Motorhome Republic for great RV rental deals. If you would prefer to rent a car we recommend discovercars.com

Travel Insurance for USA  – World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities. Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

Activities  – Booking some fun activities is a must when planning a family road trip on a budget. When we travel in the US we like to use Viator . Click here to search for unique activities and experiences.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Please comment below to let us know if this breakdown of our campervan budget helps you budget your trip.

Love a road trip? You may also like to read:

• Best US Road Trip Routes
• USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary
• Best anti theft backpacks
• How to explore Botswana on a budget

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Rachel Rodda

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20 thoughts on “us west coast road trip: campervan budget and costs”.

Thank you for sharing your adventures and the practical tips and costs. I’ve been on your blog for days, clicking on your links and planning our trip. You made it all a lot easier to work out with everything in one place. Living the dream

That is great to hear. I am so glad you have found the information helpful – family trip costs in particular are really hard to find. Have a great trip!

It’s great to see a breakdown like this. We did a 2-week USA road trip last year but never kept track of costs. I might start doing it for future trips though to help other families out. #fearlessfamtrav

This is so useful and interesting! We were thinking about doing a US road trip for our honeymoon (with our daughter!) a few years ago but we couldn’t really afford it. But I’d still love to do one and this is so helpful to know that it can be done on a budget and still be amazing! xx #fearlessfamtrav

This post is PERFECT for any parent considering a road trip in the States (me!!!!) I’ve wanted to do this for so long but was worried about the costs. You’ve made me realise that it’s so doable! Just need to find some good flight deals now

Thank you for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav

Absolutely doable! And it could be done even cheaper with a little planning for free camping. We can’t wait to explore more of the US National Parks.

Hi there, thank you for this, it is super helpful. My extended family from Australia are dreaming about a US west coast road trip and this is a great place to start to get an idea of cost. I’m grateful that you were so detailed in your description of different expenses. So, where was your favourite place??? #fearlessfamtrav

sooo hard to choose a favourite. Although, if you were twisting my arm, I think I would say Zion National Park. So spectacular with so many amazing hikes. I want to go back and do the narrows..

*SUCH* a great post and so helpful. It just shows how you can experience fantastic travel without spending loads. It’s still a splurge but oh the rewards! #fearlessfamtrav

This is a really useful post. Being from the US, and growing up going on road trips to my grandparent’s house every summer, I find it interesting that people travel to the US specifically for the road trip experience. I admit, I’m not actually a fan of long term road trips as it’s just a way of getting from one place to another for me. But it is interesting to read others’ experiences. #fearlessfamtrav

I am with you regarding distance – coming from Australia everything is a long drive away and often we will drive hours just to get to a place. But, I think when a road trip is specifically planned around seeing the places on the way it becomes a unique holiday experience.

This is a really useful post. I started planning out a trip for my family but it was working out too expensive. It is good to hear from someone who has done it and the real costs #fearlessfamtrav

This is a fantastic post. So much useful information I love your infographics and your detailed expenditure breakdow. You’ve included all the things people can forget like laundry and sim card. What a fantastic experience for your children – I’d love to do this one day and your post is invaluable! #fearlessfamtrav

Thanks Jo. Glad you found it helpful!

What a super helpful post Rachel! We are really hoping to do a southern US road trip soon so this is great info. I need to check out those budget apps too. We have always used pen and paper before to track travel expenses, but we need to get with the times! #fearlessfamtrav

The budget app is probably one of the best apps we have ever purchased. It makes it so much quicker and easier to keep track and stay on budget.

I love informative posts like this. We just did a road trip but in a car! We too enjoyed Disney but you are right it can be expensive #fearlessfamtrav

Road trips are fun however you do them I think. I had to put the cost of Disney to the back of my mind and just enjoy the day!

This is great! I am with you that there is not much info on day to day costs for this kind of travelling. You guys are very detailled!

Thanks Kate, I am glad you found it useful. We are mindful that everyone travels differently, so it makes a good starting point from which to plan.

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Embarking on a road trip across the United States is an adventure that promises endless memories and breathtaking sights. However, without proper planning, it can also come with unexpected expenses, especially when it comes to fuel costs. This is where Roadtrip's USA Trip Calculator steps in, offering a tailored solution for travelers seeking to manage their budget effectively while exploring the vast landscapes of the USA.

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3 amazing Germany road trip ideas

Fancy a vacation on the road in the home country of the famous Autobahn? How about a Germany road trip? In this article, I share three exciting routes for a great road trip during a German summer or to see the best Christmas markets in December.

Even if you only have a week, there is much to do and see along the way. I am also giving you tried and tested tips to set your road trip budget and for choosing the best rental car.

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The best time for a Germany road trip

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The most popular time to travel in Germany is from May to July when temperatures soar and the sun is out. However, December is also a favorite as the whole country is in a festive mood and the Christmas markets open their doors.

If you are planning a road trip through Germany, you shouldn't wait too long to book a hotel during these months. The best ones book up quickly, especially during vacation times and on weekends. You also shouldn’t wait too long to book your flight and rental car.

Speaking of vacation: Before you set off, you should take a look at when school vacation starts. German kids get six weeks in the summer and the period varies slightly in the different states. This way you can start your trip a few days earlier or later and avoid traffic jams on the highways. Keep this in mind when driving on the weekends too as roads get very crowded on Friday and Sunday afternoons.

The recommendations provided here are based on travelers’ searches on KAYAK, and on the average temperatures provided by weatherbase.com.

Before you set off, you might want to know how much a road trip in Germany will cost. We have compared hundreds of providers on your behalf and compiled average prices:

• Average price for a double room in Berlin: $152 per night
• Average price of a bed in a hostel in Berlin: $73 per night
• Average price of a rental car in Berlin: $75 per day
• Price for a gallon of gas in Berlin: $7.35*

*As of March 2024

For a seven-day road trip in Germany, during which you will cover approx. 560 miles, you should expect a total budget of approximately $900 per person based on two travelers sharing. This includes your taxes but not your flights. Also, there are no road tolls in Germany for regular cars so you don’t have to worry about these extras.

You can save on accommodation if you look for a hotel that is not directly in the city center (this is also usually better for parking).

Depending on which road trip itinerary you want to follow you may want to pick a flight that takes you to the starting point of the route. Most airports have rental car counters so you can start your Germany road trip as soon as you land.

There are plenty of flights from the US to Germany. Berlin is the capital and you can find roundtrip flights from NYC for an average of $871 and from LAX for $1066. However, you might have better chances for a direct flight to Frankfurt or Munich depending on your departure airport at home.

If you are doing the northern route that starts in Hamburg you will need to book a connecting flight with a layover. There are currently no direct flights from the US to Hamburg.

The type of rental car you choose for a road trip in Germany depends primarily on how much space you need. An economical car is particularly useful for longer trips. You should calculate beforehand whether unlimited mileage will pay off for your route.

Comprehensive insurance is always important and you may want to register a second driver so that you can take turns behind the wheel. If you are planning to visit a few cities, you may not want to take the biggest car available. Roads can be small and driving with a big SUV will make it even harder to find parking.

In Germany, your car needs winter tires if the conditions require it. If you are planning to drive from October to March when the weather can bring snow or ice, you should check with your car rental company if your vehicle is equipped with the correct tires.

Pack your bathing suit, because this route takes you to the most beautiful beaches and places by the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Day 1: Hamburg

Your road trip along the coast begins with a visit to the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. If the weather is nice, you can put your feet in the sand on the beach by the river Elbe and count the containers in the harbor. Visit the Elbphilharmonie for a concert or a tour of its famous plaza.

Where to stay in Hamburg: 25hours Hotel Hafencity , a cool city hotel with Nordic flair

Day 2: Sankt Peter-Ording

Distance from Hamburg: 87 mi - just under 2 hours

Enjoy the ocean breeze during a long walk on the beach in Sankt Peter-Ording. You can also jump on a board as windsurfing is the thing to do here. Alternatively, take a stroll along the pier and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the restaurants that are set up in iconic stilt houses.

Where to stay in Sankt Peter-Ording: Seaside 43 , a beautiful wellness hotel by the sea

Day 3: Sylt

Distance from Sankt Peter-Ording: 80 mi - 2.5 hours including the journey by car train

Sylt is the destination for a seaside vacation and the Wadden Sea National Park awaits. It is best explored on a guided tour. Afterwards, you can admire the dunes and the Red Cliff, and enjoy a fish sandwich at the northernmost fish shack in Germany.

Where to stay on Sylt: Hotel Stadt Hamburg , a chic hotel in the middle of Westerland

Day 4: Fehmarn

Distance from Sylt: 155 mi - just under 4 hours including the journey by car train

Fehmarn is a great island for a family vacation. Beach volleyball, kiting, or splashing around in the waves - there is a beach for every taste on this Baltic island. Children and teenagers can get to know the area with geocaching and if it rains, you can play or relax in the indoor wave pool.

Where to stay on Fehmarn: Strandhotel Bene , beautiful accommodation with a sea view

Day 5: Lübeck

Distance from Fehmarn: 55 mi - just over 1 hour

Start by saying hello to the Holsten Gate and Lübeck's old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nibble on some famous Lübeck marzipan while you stroll around. Literature fans can visit the Buddenbrookhaus , where you can learn all about the life of Germany’s best-known author Thomas Mann.

Where to stay in Lübeck: Fisher's Loft , a cool city hotel in the center

Day 6: Fischland Darß Zingst

Distance from Lübeck: 120 mi - 2.5 hours

Which is the most beautiful beach in Germany? For many, it is without question the western beach in Darß, which resembles a Caribbean beach. There is also the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, which delights nature lovers thanks to its lagoons, forests, and steep cliffs.

Where to stay in Darß: Domizil am Ostseewald , a spacious vacation rental near the beach

Day 7: Rügen

Distance from Zingst: 45 mi - just over 1 hour

In addition to beautiful beaches and one of the most famous piers in the Baltic Sea, Rügen is particularly famous for the Jasmund National Park. Hike to the Königsstuhl and admire the chalk cliffs. A special highlight is the treetop walk with a slide and a great view over the beech forest, a natural heritage site.

Where to stay on Rügen: Der Wilde Schwan , a pretty hotel with sauna

From Rügen, you will either drive back to Hamburg to catch your flight home or to Berlin if you want to add a trip to the German capital. Both cities are approximately 3 hours away by car.

Fancy feeling like a princess or even a queen? This road trip through Germany will take you to the most beautiful castles in Bavaria.

Day 1: München

Your fairytale road trip begins in Munich, home to Nymphenburg Palace. Admire the former summer residence of the Bavarian electors and stroll through the fantastic park of the palace. They offer special themed tours for families.

Don’t forget to try a Bavarian veal sausage in a traditional beer garden - but hurry, because they are only served until midday!

Where to stay in Munich: Augustin Hotel , a modern family hotel in Schwanthalerhöhe

Day 2: Füssen

Distance from Munich: 80 mi - just under 2 hours

Germany's most famous castle is located very close to Füssen: welcome to Neuschwanstein! King Ludwig II's home is a real fairytale castle and is charming any time of the year. To visit, you must take part in a guided tour with tickets available online.

Where to stay in Schwangau: Hotel Christine , only 15 minutes away from Neuschwanstein

Day 3: Ettal

Distance from Füssen: 32 mi - just under 1 hour

The next castle is very close: Linderhof Castle, which was Ludwig II’s pleasure palace that he visited during hunting trips. You also have to book a guided tour and they offer themed tours for children and adults. The castle park is particularly beautiful with the famous Venus Grotto and other interesting building projects the king started.

Where to stay in Ettal: Mammhofer Suite , a charming guesthouse in the heart of Oberammergau

Day 4: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Distance from Ettal: 9 mi - 20 minutes

Even without a castle, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a great stopover on your road trip through Bavaria. From here, you can take the cog railroad up to the Zugspitze. At the top, you can enjoy a view over four countries and with a bit of luck and clear skies count a total of 400 mountain peaks.

Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Hotel Zugspitze , a wellness hotel in the middle of the Alps

Day 5: Prien am Chiemsee

Distance from Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 80 mi - just under 2 hours

Ludwig II's third palace was built on the island of Herrenchiemsee and modeled after Versailles. Even though it was never completed, its hall of mirrors is actually longer than the original’s. You can reach the island by boat from Prien and get tickets for a guided tour at the pier.

Where to stay in Prien: Hotel Zur Sonne , not far from the lake

From Prien, it will take a good hour to get to Munich Airport for your return flight. Make sure to leave enough time to drop your rental car off.

December means Christmas market season in Germany. This one-week road trip takes you from Frankfurt to Berlin to see some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.

Day 1: Frankfurt am Main

The first Christmas lights are being lit in Frankfurt by the end of November. There are Christmas markets in many parts of the city, but none are as beautiful as the market in the historic old town. My tip: In addition to traditional mulled wine, many local winemakers have stalls in the area. Perfect if you don't like warm wine but prefer Riesling instead.

Where to stay in Frankfurt: Motel One Frankfurt-Römer , a modern hotel near the old town

Day 2: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Distance from Frankfurt: 112 mi - 2 hours

Admittedly, the Christmas market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is not the biggest, but the town likes to call itself a Christmas fairytale. It is most beautiful when it snows, but the Christmas lights provide a charming backdrop in any weather. Yummy mulled white wine and the so-called Rothenburg snowballs will warm you up in no time.

Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Burghotel , a medieval hotel on the edge of the old town

Day 3: Nürnberg

Distance from Rothenburg ob der Tauber: 50 mi - just over 1 hour

The Nürnberg Christmas Market is one of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Nibble on traditional gingerbread and sausages while you shop for handicrafts. A highlight are the adventure trails, which allow you to discover completely new parts of the market.

Where to stay in Nürnberg: Hotel Drei Raben , a central accommodation not far from the market

Day 4: Erfurt

Distance from Nürnberg: 143 mi - 2.5 hours

One of the most beautiful medieval Christmas markets in Germany opens its doors every year in front of the cathedral in Erfurt. In addition to local delicacies and crafts, it is particularly famous for its life-size nativity scene. If it gets too busy you can relax in the enchanted Christmas forest at the edge of the market.

Where to stay in Erfurt: Hotel Domizil , a lovely accommodation close to the cathedral

Day 5: Leipzig

Distance from Erfurt: 93 mi - just under 2 hours

Leipzig is one of my absolute favorite cities in Germany and it shines especially bright in the weeks before Christmas. The Christmas market in front of the old town hall dates back to the 15th century. It gets particularly festive when the famous Thomanerchor opens the market with Christmas carols.

Where to stay in Leipzig: Radisson Blu Hotel , with a great view of the Augustusplatz

Day 6: Dresden

Distance from Leipzig: 137 mi - 2.5 hours

Dresden's Striezelmarkt has the official title of being the oldest recorded Christmas market. During a stroll, you can buy delicious Dresden Christmas Stollen, a famous fruit bread with its very own festival. You can also admire beautiful pyramids and candle arches all over the market. And yes, you can buy some to take home too!

Where to stay overnight in Dresden: Townhouse Dresden , a luxury hotel right next to the Frauenkirche

Day 7: Berlin

Distance from Dresden: 125 mi - just over 2 hours

Berlin is one of the coolest destinations in winter and of course, there is not just one Christmas market in our capital. From traditional to just a little bit different, Berlin's Christmas markets have it all. The historic Christmas market at RAW and the Winterworld at Potsdamer Platz, where you can go sledding too, are particularly beautiful.

Where to stay in Berlin: Wild Aparthotels, cool studios right by Checkpoint Charlie

After your Christmas Market trip, it is best if you catch a connecting flight from Berlin to Frankfurt for your international departure. Alternatively, you might be able to book a multi-city flight with arrival in Frankfurt and departure from Berlin.

If you fancy a truly epic road trip through Germany, you can also combine the three suggested routes and drive across the whole country.

US citizens can use their US driver’s license to drive in Germany for a stay of up to six months. If you plan on staying longer you will need to get a German license as well.

You need to be at least 18 years old to legally drive a car in Germany. Most car rental companies have a minimum and a maximum age requirement for the driver. Sometimes you also have to prove that you have had your license for a certain number of years.

Remember that Germans use the metric system. Distances are shown in kilometers (km) and speed in kilometers per hour (kph). Also, petrol prices are shown per liter, not per gallon.

While the German Autobahn is world-renowned for not having a speed limit, don’t get too excited - there are only very few stretches where you can drive to your heart’s content. And of course, you need to be mindful of the traffic around you as well as your driving skills.

Here are some more tips for driving in Germany.

Flight and hotel rates are averages based on data collected by KAYAK. These prices offer an estimate for organizing your trip, but they may vary according to offers, period, destination or your preferences. The price per liter of gasoline, as of April 1st, 2024, is subject to fluctuations, and comes from numbeo.com.

The hotel recommendations included in this article are based on customer ratings and the author's personal choices, so please feel free to use our hotel finder to find the accommodation best suited to your needs.

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How To Maximize Your Budget On An RV Road Trip

E mbarking on an affordable and unforgettable RV road trip requires thoughtful planning. You'll need to consider various factors to make the journey both economical and enjoyable. Whether you're planning a one-time road trip, adopting the digital nomad lifestyle, or embracing the "van life" movement, maximizing your budget is imperative. A well-structured budget sets the foundation for a financially sustainable adventure.

You may also be considering whether to rent or purchase an RV. If you own one, then DIY remodeling projects can be strategic investments that transform your RV into a budget-friendly haven. However, whether you choose to rent or buy, investing time in understanding the pros and cons of each can also help you maximize your budget. Ultimately, achieving an affordable and memorable RV road trip is a blend of strategic decision-making, resourceful planning, and a commitment to enjoying the journey within your means. For many of us,  planning a successful RV trip  means enjoying the journey without breaking the bank account.

Read more: Safety Items You Should Pack For Your Next Road Trip

Creating A Sensible And Realistic Budget

Navigating the financial landscape of an RV road trip demands a comprehensive approach, and this begins with building a well-structured budget that covers essential expenses. First, identify key costs on your journey, such as campsite fees and fuel, as these play a crucial role in allocating your resources effectively. You will also need to allocate funds for emergencies, meals, and entertainment. Additionally, factor in activity expenses, such as entrance fees to attractions or outdoor activities. Address these key factors of your trip, and organize it all in a budgeting system, whether it's a binder that categorizes your expenses or a budgeting app.

Utilizing budgeting apps such as Mint, YNAB, and PocketGuard can be instrumental in managing expenses. Choosing which app to use may come down to personal preference, as each app will provide its own unique features and functions. However, most budgeting apps offer some variation options that help you streamline your budget while ensuring that any costs saved contribute to and build an emergency fund. By integrating these apps into your financial toolkit and considering key costs, you empower yourself to navigate the road ahead with confidence and financial resilience.

Owning Versus Renting An RV

Owning an RV versus renting one is an important choice. Each option comes with its distinct advantages, challenges, and considerations. Owning an RV translates to equity, giving you an asset that may retain much of its value over time. You can also customize your RV to fit individual needs and preferences, and depending on how often you plan on using it, your RV will always be available for a spontaneous trip. However, the cons of ownership include high initial costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, depreciation of the RV's value, storing it, insurance, and registration fees. 

On the flip side, renting an RV eliminates the substantial upfront costs associated with ownership. You can experience the RV lifestyle without a long-term financial commitment. Renters also enjoy the flexibility of selecting different RV models for each trip. However, the cons of renting include a lack of customization options and a lack of availability during peak seasons. While renting reduces some financial burdens, such as maintenance and depreciation, it may be less cost-effective for those who plan to travel frequently. The decision between owning and renting will hinge on individual preferences, financial considerations, and how often you plan to travel in your RV. 

Factoring In Size And Amenities

When trying to decide which RV is right for you, start by evaluating your travel style and needs. Where you plan to go, how long you'll be traveling, and how you want to camp are all factors that come into play when choosing an RV. The number of people accompanying you is also important, dictating sleeping arrangements, packing, and overall comfort. When considering  the right size RV for your road trip , you'll first choose a class size. For instance, Class A motorhomes often boast spacious interiors with queen or king-sized beds in private bedrooms, providing comfort for couples or families, while Class C and B models are smaller but offer more flexibility. 

Class A RVs may offer full bathrooms with showers, fully equipped kitchens, comfortable sitting areas, separate bedrooms, and entertainment systems, enhancing the overall comfort of your journey. That said, large RVs are incredibly expensive to operate, and you'll have less flexibility when it comes to parking. However, if you're planning on towing a vehicle, you may need the size and towing capacity of a large RV. Along with Class A, B, and C RVs, you may also consider a smaller, towable camper trailer, which allows optimal maneuverability and better fuel efficiency, ideal for shorter trips and camping in remote locations.

Navigating Maintenance, Repair, And Emergency Costs

If you bought or plan to buy an RV, ensuring a smooth and stress-free RV journey involves taking proactive measures for maintenance, repairs, and emergency preparedness. By prioritizing preventative maintenance, you can better avoid unexpected costs that may arise from breakdowns on the road, keeping your budget in check. Preventative measures may include routine checks on your RV's engine, brakes, and fluid levels, as well as inspecting the roof for potential leaks and the tires for proper inflation and wear. 

While upkeep and maintenance will help, you'll still need to budget for potential repairs during your trip. This safety net is designed to cover unforeseen mechanical issues, such as engine trouble, transmission malfunctions, or plumbing leaks. Also, you can save lots of money by learning how to do some maintenance and repairs yourself. This may include learning how to troubleshoot electrical problems, fix plumbing issues, and perform basic engine repairs.

Before hitting the road, it's wise to schedule a final, pre-travel maintenance check with a professional mechanic. While this will cost you upfront, if a professional maintenance check prevents a breakdown during the trip, it's a cost-effective investment. Taking this precaution will help you reduce unnecessary or avoidable costs in maintenance, parts, and fees.

Cost-Saving And Smart Campsite Options

Now that your RV is ready to travel, there are strategic campsite planning strategies you can implement, especially if you plan to visit national parks and various locations while traveling, to maximize your budget. Some RV travelers save expenses by staying on unregulated public land, which is also known as boondocking. Joining RV clubs or purchasing memberships like Good Sam or Passport America can also open doors to valuable campground discounts. If you're a senior citizen, military personnel, or AAA member, you can also capitalize on special discounts when selecting campgrounds. 

You can also research and stick to free camping options, such as staying on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, national forests, and accommodating Walmarts or casinos. These are all examples of how to find  free overnight parking for your RV . You can also ask various RV parks if they offer discounts to members, which is something to consider if you plan on sticking to the same routes. Investing in an America the Beautiful Pass is also a savvy idea for maximizing your budget. After purchasing the annual pass, you'll receive free access to national parks and lands managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This is a great option if you plan to frequently camp on these lands. 

Saving On Energy And Internet Costs

Efficiently managing both energy consumption and internet expenses is a key aspect of optimizing your RV lifestyle. Invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting, such as LED bulbs, Energy Star-rated refrigerators, and high-efficiency air conditioners. Upgrading to modern, energy-conscious equipment, like smart thermostats and inverter-based generators, is also going to further enhance your RV's efficiency and maximize your budget. Inverter-based generators are also great options. They are quieter, more fuel-efficient, and produce cleaner power, minimizing their environmental impact.

For a more sustainable and self-sufficient approach, consider installing solar panels on your RV. This investment allows you to generate your own electricity, reducing reliance on RV park hookups and providing a cost-effective solution for long-term energy needs. While you can utilize free Wi-Fi at campsites and public places whenever possible, you can also enhance your connectivity with Wi-Fi extenders and boosters, giving you a stronger and more reliable signal, especially if you are working while traveling. 

You can also explore RV-specific Wi-Fi plans that cater to the unique needs of mobile living. Alternatively, leveraging your existing phone provider plans for hotspot capabilities can be a cost-effective solution, or consider a portable router to create a dedicated Wi-Fi network in your RV. In truth, whether you're a road trip cheapskate  trying to save as much money as possible or a traveler transitioning into a nomad lifestyle, trimming down your energy and internet expenses isn't difficult with planning.

Efficient Waste Management And Water Conservation

As an RV owner or renter, you'll have to find dump stations for both your gray water (nontoilet water sources) and black water (toilet-specific) tanks. Efficient waste management is crucial for a cost-effective RV lifestyle. To avoid incurring fees at campgrounds, locate free or low-cost dump stations for emptying your RV's waste tanks. Websites and apps like Sanidumps and RV Dump Sites  provide comprehensive directories of dump stations across the country, offering a convenient way to plan your route with waste disposal in mind. You'll also need the tools and supplies to dump your waste, such as the hose and hose attachments.

Practicing water conservation is a smart strategy to extend the time between fill-ups. You can install water-efficient faucets and showerheads, as well as opt for a composting toilet and water filters. These sustainable practices also ensure you have access to clean and safe drinking water throughout your journey, providing a budget-friendly and eco-conscious solution. While these may seem like additional measures, in the end, they conserve resources and help lower overall RVing costs. 

Fuel Efficiency And Navigation

Your choice of navigation apps can play a pivotal role in overall convenience and reducing gas costs. For those engaging in long, extended travels, RV-specific GPS apps and websites become invaluable for seamless navigation. Take advantage of destination apps such as inRoute, CoPilot RV, and RV Trip Wizard, which are designed to guide RVers on routes suitable for their vehicles. 

Along with maximizing your fuel budget by using apps or websites, you can also incorporate fuel-efficient driving techniques that improve your gas mileage while traveling. Maintaining a steady speed, using cruise control, reducing weight, and avoiding idling all contribute to your overall fuel savings. To complement these efforts, you can find the best fuel prices along your route through apps like GasBuddy and Gas Guru. 

When considering fuel-efficient RV options, classes like Class B RVs (campervans) and Class C RVs with smaller chassis are known for better fuel efficiency compared to larger Class A models. Towable trailers and hybrid RVs also offer advantages in weight and aerodynamics, contributing to your potential fuel efficiency. 

Meal Planning And Food Costs

To save money on food when RVing, you can apply the same budget-friendly tips you may practice at home. This may include buying produce in season, meal planning, and purchasing non-perishable, versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes. For example, grains, legumes, and canned goods are efficient choices that save space and offer diverse meal options. To further streamline your dining budget, consider a combination of groceries and prepared foods. But, at the end of the day, your food costs will come down to your food preferences, the number of people you're traveling with, if you plan to buy food at popular attractions, eating out habits, and how remote you'll be. 

If you're not too remote, then save money on groceries by strategically shopping and planning ahead. Download the apps of common supermarkets near your route to access exclusive deals and promotions. Utilize digital coupons through these apps or traditional couponing websites to cut down on grocery costs. Exploring affordable dining options on the road is another budget-friendly strategy. Look for local farmers' markets for fresh and often more affordable produce. 

Additionally, while this is a no-brainer, preparing meals versus eating out will almost always be less expensive. Also, cooking your meals at your RV campsite, using communal grills or fire pits, can cut down on utility costs. By integrating these tips into your meal planning and grocery shopping, you can both save money and immerse yourself in the RV communities at campgrounds. 

Entertainment And Activities

Many regions offer free parks or public spaces where you can unwind and enjoy scenic views. National parks often have free admission days, providing an excellent opportunity to explore iconic landscapes without breaking the bank. Or, as previously mentioned, you can invest in an America the Beautiful Pass. To save money on activities, choose budget-friendly outdoor activities and seek out local events or festivals happening along your route. These activities can offer you a chance to immerse yourself in the culture and entertainment of different communities at little or no cost. 

Equip your RV with onboard entertainment options like a TV and movies for cozy nights in. Consider streaming services or DVDs that you already own to minimize additional expenses. You can also plan to use devices such as AppleTV or ROKU to minimize the amount of equipment in your RV. Utilizing free or low-cost campground amenities, such as communal game rooms and libraries, is also a great option, especially when traveling with kids.

When managing entertainment expenses, plan ahead by setting a budget for activities like movie nights or dining out. Take advantage of discount programs or memberships, like AAA, which may offer savings on attractions and services. You don't have to sacrifice entertainment when traveling, but by incorporating these tips, you can strike a balance between enjoying quality entertainment and keeping your budget intact during your travels.

Be Flexible But Prepared

To both potentially save money and create memorable experiences, maintain flexibility in your RV journey. Be open to last-minute changes in your itinerary, allowing you to capitalize on unexpected attractions or discounts. Be open to meeting other travelers and taking advice while on the road. This collaborative approach not only fosters camaraderie; it can also help you save money. Trust us, you're not the only one trying to maximize your road trip budget, and seasoned RVers are typically excited to share insider info.

In the spirit of flexibility, it's also important to spend money when necessary instead of "risking it." For example, if you need to choose between driving through inclement weather or pulling over at a roadside hotel or nearby campsite for the night, stay safe and embrace the change of plans. No amount of cost-saving planning is more important than the safety of you and your passengers. After all, you have emergency funds for a reason. By striking a balance between flexibility and budget-planning preparedness, you can navigate your RV journey safely and with confidence.

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