There are 2 main ways to have a driving vacation: either rent a car or drive your own car. Here are several ways you can save money, whether you choose one or the other.

If you are going to rent a car, the first thing to consider are the limitations (if any) imposed by the car rental company. Some will not allow you to take a car out of its state, which can be tricky for some people who are unaware of their surroundings. Many Europeans can 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 in-car GPS systems that will tell them how FAST you are driving and may also impose a fee if the unit reports that you broke the speed limit. Always check with the car rental company before renting. Lastly, be sure to return (or pick up) your car at the designated time. Most companies now charge an extra full day of rental if you return the car even 15 minutes LATE. Better to turn it in early than to pay an additional $ 30 because you were 30 minutes late. Therefore, you must be aware of when you are going to pick up the car. You don’t want to rent it at 8 a.m. M. If you plan to return it at 1 pm. M.

If you drive your own car, make sure it is fully operational and in good condition. 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 delivery. You don’t want to use a car if your battery has been giving you signs of declining health or your starter screeches 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 city or town, wait to fill it up after you start. But if gas is 40 cents cheaper in your city than it is on the main highway, fill it up at home and save $ 5-8 before you even start.

Whether you rent a car or use your car, pack a picnic lunch. This will save you about $ 25 from the beginning of stopping and eating 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 per gallon of gas wasted from over- or under-inflated tires, and over the course of a 1,000-mile trip, they can cost you an additional $ 50 to $ 100.

Following these simple travel tips can save you hundreds in hidden costs and possibly hundreds more in unforeseen repair costs.