Planning a big road trip in 2024? Keep in mind the less obvious costs

If you’re planning to go on vacation this year, you may want to consider taking a road trip rather than flying to your destination. Rather than paying for multiple flights, traveling by car can save you money if you’re traveling in a large group.

Plus, you’ll have more flexibility when you hit the road. You can comfortably extend your trip by staying longer in your desired destination without worrying about catching a flight home.

Now, if you’re going on a road trip, you’ll need to budget for things like gas, lodging, and meals. But there are also less obvious costs that need to be accounted for.

1. Toll

In some areas, you can drive on the highway without paying tolls for several hours. For other areas, tolls are charged every 12 minutes. Sites like TollGuru can help you estimate tolls based on your route, so there are no surprises.

2. Parking

If you plan to visit larger cities during your trip, you may have to pay for parking. Likewise, not all hotels offer parking as a free amenity, so do your research beforehand and consider the cost. In some cities, you can even use sites like SpotHero to find cheap parking and reserve a spot in advance to avoid getting stuck.

3. Speeding ticket

When you drive hundreds of miles a day, it’s natural to want to get to your destination faster. But that desire can also push you at a faster pace. And if you get caught, the fines can be huge.

One way to avoid a speeding ticket is to use an app like Waze, which alerts you when you exceed the speed limit on the road you’re driving on. But it’s a good idea to increase your road trip budget in case you end up getting fined if you don’t.

4. Satellite radio

Many people look forward to road trips because they are excited about the destination they are heading to. But with the right entertainment, you can make your time on the highway more enjoyable.

Therefore, it is a good idea to include the cost of satellite radio in your travel budget.

However, you can also sign up for promotions that can save you money early on. SiriusXM, for example, has a deal where its music and entertainment package costs $1 for the first three months and $18.99 per month thereafter. You can cancel at any time, so you can sign up for this package right before your trip and cancel the service as soon as you decide you don’t need it.

It’s likely that taking a car trip will be cheaper than flying, but that’s not guaranteed. Keep these additional costs in mind to avoid panic. And don’t forget to use your credit cards efficiently while traveling. If you have a card that offers extra cash back on gas, swipe that card at the pump. The savings can really add up.

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