42% of Drivers Are Planning Frugal Road Trips This Summer—Are You Ready?
With travel costs rising along with virtually everything else, more and more American travelers are planning to skip their flights this summer, with 84% of travelers saying that they will be driving for their summer vacation in 2025. Of that number, 42% acknowledge that they plan to take a frugal road trip. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as studies indicate that the average plane ticket costs around $384 while gas prices have dropped to $3.18 per gallon on average. Road trips offer nostalgia and the potential for some huge savings.
If you’re looking for a way to take a budget summer vacation, it might be time to grab the keys and set out on a cheap road trip. Read below to find out more about how you can create a summer travel budget that allows you to enjoy time with your loved ones while you make memories on summer vacation 2025.
Why Road Trips Are Surging in Popularity
You can expect to see some crowded interstates over the summer, as the road trip renaissance is being driven by high flight costs and sticky insurance premiums. The average cost of even a short domestic flight hovers around $384, which makes a one-day road trip even more appealing. Meanwhile, auto insurance premiums have increased by 12% since 2024, with the average full-coverage policy now costing $2,638 a year. Many travelers have decided that if they’re going to pay that much for auto insurance, they might as well crank up the engine and hit the open road.
Top Destinations & Trip Distance
When you’re planning your summer travel budget, you’ll need to decide where you’re going. When flights were more affordable, many vacationers found themselves choosing from a virtually limitless number of destinations. However, since gas prices are still over $3.10 per gallon nationally, more and more travelers have started looking for places that they can reach with a single day of driving. According to studies, 58% of Americans plan on visiting a beach, while 23% plan to explore national parks. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a major road trip, 60% say that they will drive more than 300 miles to reach their destinations.
If you’re going to be among that crowd, you need some cheap road trip tips. Not only does this keep you from wasting your hard-earned money, but it also leaves you plenty of cash to spend once you reach your destination.
Pack Your Own Snacks and Meals
Food can take up a good chunk of your road trip budget, especially if you grab snacks when you stop to refill the gas tank. Something as seemingly small as a bag of chips, a candy bar, and a soda can easily cost $10, depending on the size and brand. To make things even more frustrating, those things are likely already in your pantry at home. While junk food and road trips go together like peanut butter and jelly, consider packing your snacks before you pull out of the driveway.
It's also a good idea to try to avoid fast food restaurants and diners along the way when you can. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal while you’re on the road with your loved ones, you don’t have to grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner at fast-food restaurants. Instead, pack some sandwiches, so you can save time and money on your trip.
Use Apps to Save on Gas
Gas is often the biggest expense on a road trip. While prices are lower than they were at this time last year, the fact remains that you can expect to spend more than $3.10 per gallon, regardless of where you’re traveling. A long road trip means that you’re going to have to stop multiple times while you’re on your way. Once you reach your destination, you’ll need more gas, and then you get to keep the tank full all the way back home.
Download apps like AAA Mobile, GasBuddy, and Upside to compare gas prices based on your location. You can easily find the cheapest gas stations along your route. You can also save on gas by avoiding aggressive driving. Adding just a few miles per hour to your speed won’t get you where you’re going much faster, but you’ll burn significantly more fuel.
Stay Somewhere That’s Not a Hotel
Traditional hotels often charge extra for parking, resort fees, and dining. If you want to save on your lodging expenses, you may be better served by staying somewhere that isn’t a hotel. Instead, look for alternatives like Airbnb, campgrounds, or even hostels, depending on where you’re going and how long you plan on staying.
If you’re traveling with a group of friends and family members, you can often save money by splitting the cost of a short-term rental. Not only does this save you money, but it also allows you to spend even more time with your loved ones. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, finding a safe area to pitch a tent or car camp can add a memorable touch to your trip while slashing costs.
A Budget Summer Vacation Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
Saving money on your summer vacation doesn’t have to come at the expense of your enjoyment. Something as simple as putting some drinks and snacks in a cooler and slowing down on the drive can help you keep money in your pocket. Before you head out for your summertime road trip, spend some time identifying ways to save some cash. Most of all, enjoy your vacation; you’ve earned it!