What better way to get the lay of the land than by driving? You make your own schedule. You stop when you want. Plus, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out these money-saving road trip tips from U.K. based travel writer, Ian Hunter.

Ready to save money on your next road trip?

Take it away Ian!

A lot of people go on road trips because it is not only a great way for them to see a certain part of the world, but it is a cost-effective way too. After all, it costs much less to take your vehicle around a country when compared with booking several plane trips. However, there are ways that you can reduce your costs even further without having a negative impact on your trip. So, let’s take a look at some helpful money-saving road trip tips.

Save fuel while you drive – There is only one place to begin, and this is with being as economical as possible in terms of your fuel. There are a number of different ways you can do this while you are driving. One way is to use the fan instead of the air conditioning. You probably already know that A/C uses gas, but most people don’t realise just how much it eats through it. Coasting to a stop is another simple way to save gas, rather than burning rubber.

Use an app to find the cheapest gas – Another way to save money on fuel is by using an app to find the gas stations in the area that have the cheapest fuel. It all adds up when you are going on a long road trip! In fact, there are lots of apps available today that will help you to make your road trip a lot easier to plan.

Choose a vehicle with care – A lot of people decide to upgrade their car before they go on a road trip. If you were planning to do so in the near future, switching vehicle before your trip is a good idea because it means that you can enjoy a more comfortable and spacious journey. There are many different ways to finance a car today, so make sure you assess all of your options carefully. Bad credit car loans are available for those with a poor credit rating. Make sure you read the terms and conditions so you fully understand the repayments.

Take snacks with you – Buying snacks while on the road is a sure-fire way to spend a lot of money. Instead, you should take snacks with you. While planning your road trip, make a plan for the food and snacks you will take with you. This is especially important if you have children, as you will want to ensure they aren’t simply indulging in treats for every meal.

So there you have it: some great tips that you can use to reduce your expense while taking a road trip. The suggestions that have been mentioned above will help you to lower your costs without having a negative impact on your road trip and the experience you have.

**Post contributed by Ian Hunter, a U.K.  travel writer with frugal tastes.**