Summer road trip season is just around the corner – have you planned your trips yet? With today’s gas prices, high inflation and COVID-19 still in the picture, planning travel is more difficult than ever. We’re here to help you plan your route and save the most money possible along the way. Keep reading our complete guide to saving money on your summer road trip below.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
The first, and most important step to planning your summer road trip? Finding the perfect route. Once you’ve decided on your ideal trip, you can search along your route in the GasBuddy app to select pit stops along the way, use our trip cost calculator to help budget.
Once your route is set, you’ll also want to book accommodations ahead of time. However, experts say booking more than 21 days in advance can actually cost you when it comes to hotel prices.
Lastly, you’ll need to decide if you’re taking your own vehicle or a rental car. Choosing a rental car will obviously cost you more than using your own vehicle, but that price difference has increased even further over the last two years. Rental car prices are through the roof in 2022 – so, if driving from your home is an option – it’s definitely the best way to save money.
SAVE ON GAS
With today’s gas prices, everyone is looking to save money at the pump, especially on longer trips. Our three best tips for saving money on gas this summer: shop around for the best prices, use a gas card and loyalty programs, and pay attention to where and when you buy.
First, shopping around for gas prices is the easiest way to save money at the pump. Sometimes, you can save as much as 30¢/gal just by driving an extra block or two. When it’s time to fill up, don’t just go to the first station available when you get off the highway.
Paying smart is also an important tactic to save money on gas. Prices are heating up just in time for summer, but you can get guaranteed cents off by using a gas card, fuel rewards program or both combined. Our recommendation is to sign up for Pay with GasBuddy, the free fuel card that can save you up to 25¢/gal. Then, you can link your GasBuddy card to the Shell Fuel Rewards program, and save a combined up to 30¢/gal on every fill up.
Lastly, pay attention to where and when you buy gas. State lines are often danger zones for gas prices. With varying taxes and other costs that go into a gallon of gas, waiting until you cross state lines can either cost you or save you a lot of money on gas. Make sure to check the GasBuddy app before filling up. Also, paying attention to what dates your trip falls on can help you save money on gas. Days earlier in the week (Monday is the best) tend to be cheaper to fill up.
DRIVE EFFICIENTLY
Believe it or not, the way you drive can actually influence your trip and fuel costs, too. For every 5 miles over 50 mph you drive on the highway, you’re wasting an extra 22¢ in gas. If it’s possible, slow down on the road, or even take the scenic route instead of the interstate, to save a lot of money on gas.
Similarly, practicing poor driving habits like aggressive braking, speeding and frequent acceleration can cost you at the pump. Don’t let the summer heat “heat” up your road rage – calm down on the road and let the savings roll in.
Other tips for summer travel:
- Make sure your car is up to date on any maintenance, and that your tires are properly inflated.
- Use A/C sparingly, if possible. We know the summer heat can be unbearable, but if you’re comfortable cracking a window instead, you’ll burn a lot less fuel.
- Consider your vehicle choice for future summer road trips. While it won’t save you much money to turn in your gas guzzler for a hybrid immediately, when you are ready to purchase a new vehicle, a hybrid option might be a great fit. Check out our list of the most fuel efficient cars of 2022.
Alerts Sign-up