Tips to Save Money While on the Road

"Taking to the road" is an exciting way to "see the USA in your Chevrolet," or whatever vehicle you set out in. Lodging, meals and fuel are the highest ticket items on a road trip, and impulse purchases, snacks and unplanned activities can nickel and dime your budget. Here are some tips to save money while on the road.

1. Go off-season: Consider vacationing in the spring or fall when lodging and fuel costs tend to be lower. After Labor Day, all the summer gear is on sale and you can clean up on beach chairs, towels and toys. Campsites and tourist attractions are less crowded and the State Park campsites and cabins are off-season rates.

2. Plan Ahead! Do not jump into your vehicle and head for the road less travelled until you've Googled it. Setting off for wherever the wind blows is just as much fun if you know where you're sleeping that night. Scope out motels, campsites and dining facilities on sites like Tripvine and Yelp.com, where locals provide inside information on restaurants, lodgings and tourist attractions. AAA guidebooks provide a wealth of information, and maps are a must even if you have GPS. Free maps are provided at highway visitor centers and it's nice to have two -- one for you and one for the kids to mark where you've been.

3. Lodging: Detailed hotel reviews can be found on sites like Trip Advisor.com. That Best Western looming over the highway may look inviting and convenient but, with a little research, you may find a vintage strip motel more to your liking and a better fit to your wallet. An even cheaper alternative is camping. KOA.com will guide you to privately-owned campsites along your route, or you could visit the individual State Park websites or the National Park Website. State and national parks have extremely reasonable rates, and many offer budget priced rustic cabins. Cabins are best reserved well in advance, but in the off-season you can often get a cabin on a weekday on short notice. Finally, plan your route through towns where you have relatives willing to put you up for free. (Or a case of beer.)

4. Meals: Eating out on a road trip can ravage your vacation budget. Pack a box with an electric coffee pot, electric hot water kettle and electric frying pan, and take a large cooler. These are the basics for preparing quick, simple meals. If you're planning to camp, or the motel allows cooking outside, take a small propane or charcoal grill for preparing quick lunches or dinners. If cooking while on the road isn't your cup of tea, look for diners or local restaurants. Ask the locals for guidance on well-regarded local eateries. Not to say you shouldn't treat yourselves once or twice to a nice restaurant, but make sure you've budgeted for it.

5. Snacks: Nothing nickel and dimes your budget more than those last minute, impulse snack purchases. Go to the discount box store before you leave and stock up on those large variety boxes of single serving cookies, crackers, granola bars or candy bars. Stock a cooler with string cheese, yogurt or juices. Finally, pack cases of water and soda and you have saved yourself a lot of grief when you make fuel or comfort stops, and those soda and candy machines are staring your kids (or you) in the face.

6. Fuel: We're basic travelers, no GPS or fancy cell phones with Internet access, but if you do have these devices, they can help find cheap gas. If not, remember, the closer to the interstate, the more expensive the gas. The best way to save money on fuel is to make sure your car is in tiptop shape before you leave. Change the oil, oil filter and air filter. Check the tires and air pressure, and rotate the tires if it's been a while. Make sure your brakes are in good working condition. Lastly, drive the speed limit. The faster you go, the more fuel you use.

7. Look for free or low cost activities: I had the best time one year at a small-town high school Homecoming Parade going down Main Street in Girard, Ohio. Depending on the time of year, festivals, fairs and rodeos may be along your route. Museums and railroad excursions are cheap diversions, as is miniature golf. Visiting historical sights, the hometowns of famous people or towns where movies or TV shows are filmed is also fascinating. We discovered a Lucille Ball museum in her hometown of Jamestown, New York, have pictures of us in front of the wrought iron bat fence surrounding Stephen King's home in Bangor, Maine, and toured Mendocino, California, the setting for "Murder She Wrote." These activities are fun, free, and you get to say you were at Stephen King's house!

Properly planned road trips won't break the bank, and will provide family memories and tales to be handed down for generations. And perhaps spur your children to carry on the tradition.

For more travel advice, check out "Now is the time to start planning next year's budget friendly vacation."