if you’re like millions of other Americans, this summer you and your family are likely to buckle up the kids in the back seat, strap luggage to the roof and set out for a vacation driving the nation's roadways. And if you do, there is one thing as certain as your kids getting antsy here and there: The trip will be more expensive this year than it was last year.
In light of rising costs of fuel, food and hotel accommodations, the American Automobile Association advises that you do your research before getting behind the wheel. Fortunately, the Internet is an excellent resource for the budget-conscious traveler, with web sites offering everything from helpful tools such as fuel calculators to ideas about innovative and affordable lodging opportunities such as house-sitting.
An estimated 32 million of you braved the nation's roadways during the first weekend of summer this year, according to AAA. But even if the higher costs make you think twice before getting behind the wheel for a road trip this summer, the Internet can help you find ways to stay within your budget. "If you know where you are going, you can plot out your trip and find the cheapest gas along your route," says John Townsend, manager of public and government relations for AAA's mid-Atlantic region. "If you were able to make the trip last year," Townsend adds, the higher costs "don't have to be a deal breaker this year."
To help make this summer's trip both enjoyable and economical, here are some online resources to check out before -- or even during -- your trip:
Tip No. 1: Research destinations and lodging
What you want to do on your road trip is just as important as your budget. Whether you are looking for an amusement park or a national park or someplace unique you’ve heard about from a friend, there is an assortment of travel web sites, such as RoadTripAmerica, eTravelogue, AAA and RandMcNally, to help you research destinations. Most sites also include cost-saving tips. "The biggest single expense on road trips tends to be lodging and whatever attractions you're going to visit," says Mark Sedenquist, publisher and managing editor of RoadTripAmerica. "One way to reduce costs is to camp as opposed to staying in motels." Online camp reservation sites include Reserve USA and KOA Camping. For more creative lodging ideas, check out house-sitting opportunities at the Caretaker Gazette and House Carers. For discounts on hotels, museums and attractions, Laurie Borman, editorial director for Rand McNally, advises checking out the web sites for city convention bureaus.
Tip No. 2: Map out your trip
Lodging or excursions used to be the highest ticket item for a road trip, but now gas prices are a top consideration, too. You can save fuel by taking the most direct route to your destination. Google Maps, MapQuest and AAA provide free services to help you plot out driving directions. Given that this is your family vacation, however, you may want to stop and see various attractions on the way. Some road trip web sites, such as eTravelogue and Rand McNally, have features that not only let you plot out your driving directions but locate attractions en route based on interests (family visits, historic sites and national parks, for example) and distance from the main highways. Next you can generate customized driving directions including all your stops. Chris McGowan, the publisher of eTravelogue, points out that his site even lists radio stations for news, jazz or whatever you want to listen to along your trip. Want to know which restaurants and hotels are located near a certain exit ramp and where you can get free Wi-Fi? TravMatix’s web site provides this information for major U.S. highways.
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