There can hardly be anyone who doesn’t love a decent road trip. All that sorting of trip-special playlists, carefully curated to elevate the moods, selecting the best route and of course, packing some yummy munchies for along the way. That said, you also need to consider the budget that is to be spent on food and how you can save big.
“Planning a road trip?
Here are some tips to help you enjoy
any summer road trip without
overstepping your budget for food.”
Here are some tips to the rescue:
Install Food-Related Apps
We live in an era where technology is prevalent. It can save the day for you on a long road trip as well. What you can do is research apps that can help you grab the best deals on eateries and diners along the way, where you can stop for a bite. There are apps that can geo-target your location and show you the exclusive deals that help you save those extra bucks on the go.
Choose Wisely
The next tip is to book a hotel or a place to stay that also includes complimentary breakfast. AirBnB is one of the options that many people are seeking. But apart from that, you can get several bed and breakfast places at a decent price. Another option that you can opt for, when you have kids traveling with you, is to go for hotels that let kids eat at a discounted rate or for free!
Seek Perks
Who doesn’t love some freebies? There are some hotels that offer free morning coffee while others offer wine in the evenings. Similarly, some hotels also feature other perks that you can avail when you are on a road trip. Either you ask for the availability of these additional benefits or do your research beforehand and select the hotels and eateries with several perks included.
Take Ingredients Along
Want a sandwich or a burger when you are driving? Well, although you can always pack these in bulk, you will see that the sandwiches start getting soggy and the burgers turning into a different kind of mess. Avoid this situation by packing the ingredients separately. If you are purchasing these from stores, ask them if you can get the sandwiches and burgers unassembled i.e., having the fillings in a separate container, the spreads and the sauces in small sealed ups and so on. As for extra ketchup and mayo and meat, you can always store them in the cooler. This way, you get to eat the sandwich of your choice without compromising on the texture or the taste. How cool is that!
Pay More Attention to Lunch
A pro tip while you are traveling by car, is to make the lunch your main meal of the day as opposed to breakfast or dinner. This will cut down your expenses to a major extent as there are several restaurants, where you can get a special priced lunch menus.
BYOD or Bring Your Own Drinks
Sometimes, the minibar and beverages can get pricey. To avoid the situation, you can bring your own beverages such as juice boxes, soft drinks, energy drinks or wine and beer that can last you through the trip. Also, there is every possibility that your favorite beverage may not be available everywhere. So, why take the chance? It is always better to be prepared and carry the drinks that you prefer. For instance, you can prepare summer coolers and slushes for the trip and keep having a sip while you enjoy the spectacular views during the journey.
Eat Local
This is more of a backpacker tip really, but it will help you in more than one way. The idea is to find places to eat that are away from the usual tourist-y hustle bustle. A quaint cafeteria or lunch place, or hidden gems are great when you want to eat more for less. The rule of the thumb is to ask people down the road, people at service stations or local stores to get an idea about what places you can visit. You will definitely end up with some of the best options.
Give Healthy Snacking a Go
It is common for boredom to kick in when you go on road trips. To avoid the situation, make it a point to settle for some healthy snacking. Go for the crispy fruits and vegetables, including apples, asparagus, berries, snap peas, celery, carrots, clementines etc. You can also stir fry some vegetables, sprinkle some salt and pepper, and eat them to satiate your hunger and to resist opening that packet of chips! Alternatively, you can also take some dried fruits and nuts with you as munchies.
Conclusion
These are some of the handy tips that will help you enjoy any road trip in summer without overstepping your budget for food.
Which of these would you like to try?
Share your experience and comments with us!
About the Author
Siddhi Panchal is a food blogger at CookingwithSiddhi and food aficionado who loves to cook. Her cooking skills cover a range of Indian and international cuisines. Her aim is to enable other food enthusiasts explore their love for food by helping them cook delectable dishes from India and around the world. Follow her on YouTube.
What are your favorite ways to save money on food while traveling?
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