How to Save on a Road Trip

Taking a long road trip can put a ton of strain on your vehicle, so it's always good to stop by Quigley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM and have our experts change your oil and inspect your vehicle before you roll out. Getting a normal checkup can help you save money in the long run, as it will help you from breaking down and calling a tow truck to pick you up. You can pinch all the pennies you want, but if your vehicle breaks down, you can kiss your budget goodbye. Don't let this happen to you; make an appointment with Quigley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM before you head out on your vacation! 

Stopping frequently to purchase snacks can take a toll on your budget, and getting a ton of fast food can make things worse. If you shelve out money for three meals a day, your spending costs will skyrocket. Instead of stopping by a rest stop on the interstate, find a grocery store and stock up on lunch meat, fruit, and no-mess meals. These are great for the road and won't hurt your wallet. When you are spending less on fast food, you can save up and eat at a more expensive restaurant once you reach your destination. If you eat out, consider eating something that will be easy to keep in the car if leftovers. That way, you can make two meals out of one. Ideally, it would be something you can eat in the cold, like a sandwich. 

While the best road trip moments tend to be those that stray away from the schedule, if your plan is to save money, you're going to want to book your hotel accommodations ahead of time and stick to a strict plan. Pre-booking your hotel will allow you to get the best rates. You can exercise some creativity when booking your accommodations by looking at all the available options, such as campsites or home rentals, which can sometimes be cheaper than hotels depending on what time of year you go. 

How much you spend on gas can make or break your budget. You can spend all the time you want to get the most out of your miles, but if you spend a lot of money on gas, you'll have nothing to show for all that careful driving. Your smartphone has made scouting and finding the cheapest gas stations easier than ever before, and several free apps can help you compare prices and get affordable gas no matter where in the country you are. It will also help if you have a fuel-efficient vehicle, of which we have plenty here at Quigley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM!

Not long ago, you needed a ton of high-tech equipment or a sharply planned route to avoid those pesky toll booths, but with modern GPS systems, you can easily avoid tolls and paid-use roadways by the touch of a button. Before you commit to that no-toll route, be sure that you will not go too far out of your way as the gas cost can cost more than the tolls. You can also save money by getting a region appropriate quick pass, which will get you a cheaper rate if you have to go through tolls. 

Before you head out on that long vacation, you're going to want to make sure that your vehicle is in good working order. Head down to Quigley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM and have our experts change your oil, rotate your tires, or top off your fluids. You can even get winter tires if you are planning a trip in the winter. If you're looking into getting a fuel-efficient vehicle, we have a ton of them that you can peruse either in our showroom or on our website. We can't wait to take care of all your automotive needs here at Quigley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM!