There are 2 main ways to enjoy a driving holiday: rent a car or drive your own car. Several ways you can save money will be discussed below, whether you choose one or the other.
If you are going to rent a car, the first thing to consider is the limitations (if any) imposed by the car rental company. Some won’t let you take a car out of state, which can be tricky for some people who don’t know their surroundings. Many Europeans may rent a car in San Francisco or Los Angeles and drive to Lake Tahoe, not realizing that half of South Lake Tahoe is in Nevada. They are then hit with an out of state charge when they return. Similarly, most companies have hidden GPS systems in the car that will tell them how FAST you are driving and may also levy a fee if the unit reports that you are over the speed limit. Always check with the car rental company for this before renting. Lastly, be sure to return (or pick up) your car at the designated time. Most companies now charge a full additional day’s rental if you return the car even 15 minutes LATE. It’s better to turn it in early than pay an extra $30 because you’re 30 minutes late. Therefore, be aware of when you are going to pick up the car. You don’t want to rent it at 8am if you plan to return it at 1pm.
If you drive your own car, make sure it is fully operational and in good repair. You don’t want to break down on a highway in a strange area and have to spend 3 days of your vacation at the “Back in The Sack Motel” in Podunk County while the local gas station waits for a part to be delivered. You don’t want to use a car if its battery has been showing signs of deterioration or if its starter motor squeals after starting your car. Lastly, you’ll want to refuel at the cheapest gas station you can. So if the highway you’re traveling on (or a neighboring county) offers cheaper gas than your home city or town, wait to fill up after you start. But if gas is 40 cents cheaper in your city than on the main road, fill it up at home and save $5 to $8 before you even start.
Whether you rent a car or use your car, pack a picnic lunch. This will save you about $25 right away when you stop and eat 3 hours later at a restaurant or burger joint. Make sure your tires are inflated to the proper level. Long road trips can cost you pennies a gallon of gas wasted from over- or under-inflated tires and, over the course of a 1000-mile drive, can cost you an additional $50-$100.
Following these simple travel tips can save you hundreds in hidden costs and possibly hundreds more in unforeseen repair costs.