15 Ways To Have An Epic Road Trip Without Going Broke

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1. Play car doctor before you hit the road.

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Fluid and tire check now = no bank-breaking emergencies later.

2. Chow down on local eats.

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Oh so much cheaper and oh so much tastier than chain-restaurant food! Plus, road trips are all about the ~local experience~, amirite?!

3. Bring a stocked cooler for snack attacks...

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A growling stomach could lead to a steep munchie splurge. Pack enough snacks for in between meals ahead of time so all you have to shell out for along the way is ice.

4. ...and gallon jugs for water refills.

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Plenty of places you stop will have water fountains for your use. Buying bottled H20 constantly is a great way to say goodbye to your cash supply REAL fast.

5. Get your beach on.

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You may have to pay a small fee to park, but the ocean breeze in your hair, sand between your toes, and limitless photo ops have no price tag.

6. Seek out free music.

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Opportunities abound, especially in the summer. Search "free music in {whatever city you're rollin' to}" on the interwebs, and you're golden.

7. And rock out to your own road trip soundtrack.

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Whether you go with old-school CDs or work that Bluetooth, get your jam on for free -- and every time you hear those songs later in life, you'll be reminded of your adventure! Oh, and being in the car eliminates all tone deafness, obviously.

8. Hit local festivals.

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ALL the arts, activities, and culture, and often NONE of the cost. Check out Festivals.com to find fests that interest you wherever you're headed.

9. Crash with friends and family along the way.

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See if you can stay on a free couch rather than a wallet-draining hotel bed. As long as you're respectful (ahem, personal space...), a lot of people love playing host!

10. Or sleep under the stars.

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Even if camping's not usually your lodging method of choice, your wallet will thank you. Who knows, you may even discover you have a little tree hugger in you after all. ;)

11. Stay on top of traffic conditions.

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Getting stuck in traffic isn't just a bummer for your mood, it's a bummer for your gas tank. Use apps like Waze and Inrix to see if there's traffic ahead -- and take the scenic route instead.

12. Pay for everything with cold, hard cash.

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Budgeting 101, baby! Paper keeps you honest — plastic can be a slippery slope.

13. Selfies over souvenirs.

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Priceless mementos with way more likes.

14. Be picky when it comes to visiting (overpriced) tourist attractions.

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Take your bucket list off the beaten path. You don't want crowds cramping your style, anyway.

15. But be greedy when it comes to pulling over, sitting back, and taking it all in.

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The glory of the open road is all yours -- on the house. 👌

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