Life is expensive no matter where you live these days. And travel is also becoming more expensive within the United States as gas prices have risen as of 2021.

But you don’t have to be a millionaire in order to enjoy a road trip, no matter what part of the country you want to visit.

Now you might think that taking a road trip will cost a pretty penny, but if you play your cards right, you’ll be able to spend more money on souvenirs and less on travel expenses. And that’s going to translate well when it comes to financial planning.

The open road is home to a variety of places that are relatively dirt cheap. And these can include attractions as well as places to stay for the night.

Here, we’ll explore how to travel the country by car without having to deplete your bank account.

Avoiding a Breakdown

If you’re going to be traveling on a budget, the last thing that you’ll want to have happen is dealing with a breakdown on the side of the road. So the first thing that you’ll want to do is get your car checked out by a qualified mechanic.

If you have any issues with your vehicle such as if you’re in need of new tires, or if you need anything replaced, you’ll want to get all of this work done before you hit the road.

In addition, traveling the road comes with unforeseen circumstances that might arise out of nowhere, and in the middle of nowhere. So even if your car has been completely serviced, you’ll want to take the time to look over your auto insurance policy.

If you need to add roadside assistance, or if your insurance company doesn’t offer this service, you’ll want to look at new auto insurance companies. Because the last thing you’ll want is to pay for a tow on a low budget far from home.

Where to Stay?

Budget travel doesn’t mean that you’ll be going without beautiful scenery, nor does it mean that you’ll have to sleep in your car along the way. But the latter is always an option if you feel like roughing in that way.

Along your route, you’re likely to have numerous campgrounds, state parks, and national parks that all have lodging and camping facilities. And you’re sure to be able to find plenty of public BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) if you’re traveling out west.

The latter is free, but even with primitive campsites, you’ll likely only have to pay a small fee.

What is There to do?

All across the United States, there are places and venues that do not require a fee. Such places you might think of as mythical destinations, or part of some Utopian dream, but the fact is, indeed, they do exist all across the country.

Most of the places that you’ll find where you can enjoy yourself for free are going to be in natural areas, so you might want to pack some hiking gear, or even bring along a hammock. Or if you’re a biking enthusiast, throw your bike on the rack and look for a travel route with nearby available trails.

Additionally, you’ll also be able to map out roadside attractions, fishing destinations, and cultural sites that don’t require a fee at all for viewing them.

Believe it or not, planning a natural destination getaway is only going to require money for gas and lodging if you prefer to stay in a place with modern amenities. But if you can handle roughing it for a bit, you’re likely to enjoy yourself without having to break the bank.

Traveling doesn’t mean that you have to save for 10 years just to be able to enjoy yourself for a weekend. In fact, some of the more memorable places are going to be natural destinations, and most of these are going to be completely free.