Tips for Saving Money On Road Trips

Riding off into the sunset in your truck camper is a feeling we’ll never get tired of! It’s a five-million-star hotel every night, under the stars, in the world’s most beautiful places. A dream come true. 

If you’re looking to save some cash while on the road, you’re in luck! There are some pretty painless and easy ways to stretch your dollar and spend more time exploring, whether going on the road indefinitely or for a few days. 

1. Become Self-Sustainable 

It might take a little bit of investment upfront, but it’ll save you a lot of money in the long run. If you have a truck camper from Four Wheel Campers, you are already well on your way to becoming self-sustainable! Here are some categories to focus on:

• Cooking essentials (camp stove, pots/pans, cooking utensils, cooler/fridge, etc.) 
• Camping gear (truck camper, tent, sleeping bags, pillows, shovel) 
• Rooftop solar (ability to be self-sustainable longer, without paying for electrical hookups or campsites) 
• Food (snacks, meals, condiments) 
• Electronics (adapters, inverters, power banks, etc.) 
• Logistics (downloaded road maps, GPS, emergency beacon, topographic maps, camping apps) 

You’ll save not only a lot of money, but a lot of time & stress when you have everything you need to be self-sufficient during a road trip.

2. Find Free Campsites 

Camping is a cost-efficient way to travel, camping on public land for free is an even MORE cost efficient way to travel. Paid campsites typically run between $10-$60/night per space. They can be worth every penny for certain amenities, such as showers, laundry, electrical hookups, etc. 

Many people on road trips will opt to pay for a campsite every few nights, whether it’s for the amenities or an easy place to sleep. But there are plenty of places to camp for free in the United States and Canada. We have an entire guide to camping on public land here that you should read for all the most important information. 

Camping on public land, mostly national forests and BLM land, requires campers to be self-sufficient. There’s also a strict set of rules & leave no trace principles to follow to ensure campsites remain in good condition for future campers. The easiest way to find these campsites is by using camping apps, such as iOverlander. 

3. Research Gas Prices 

Gas prices can differ drastically state by state and even town by town. Many gas stations put their most current gas prices online, which you can see through Google Maps. Simply search ‘gas stations’ in towns you will be passing through throughout the day. The map should look something like this: 

You can also use a gas app, like Gas Buddy, to find the best places to fill up along your route. 

Instead of filling up when you need it, pre-plan gas stations depending on where it is cheapest. It doesn’t sound like something that saves a lot of money on one stop, but it adds up over time and can save hundreds! 

4. Find Free Activities 

There are plenty of free activities to take advantage of while road tripping. Here are some of our favorites: 

• Hiking
• Fishing 
• Geocaching 
• Free walking tours (cities) 
• Sightseeing 
• Birdwatching 
• Picnics 
• Sunset chasing
• Stargazing 
• Campfires 

5. Buy an Annual National Park Pass 

The “America The Beautiful Pass” is an annual pass that gives access to all National Parks & many other recreation areas around the country. The annual pass is $80, while a single National Park visit ranges from $20 – $35 per visit. Buy it once, and you have access to all the beautiful national parks in the United States for an entire year. It doesn’t get much better than that! 

6. Set a Budget 

This one might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get excited on the road and swipe the card a few too many times. It’s likely to happen to all of us at least once! When it comes to budgeting for a road trip, break it down into these categories: 

• Gas 
• Activities  
• Camping/Accommodation 
• Food & Groceries 
• Maintenance (oil changes, fluids, car washes, etc.) 
• Misc

On top of those categories, make sure you also have an emergency repair fund set aside in case of any car issues. The last thing you want to do on the road is stress about your vehicle. Whether a flat tire, tow, or vehicle repair, things do happen on the road. Planning for it is key! 

7. Cooking is Your Friend 

When you’re on a road trip, food can be an easy way to spend a lot of money. Whether it’s taking a quick swing through fast food for lunch, stopping by a local coffeehouse, or checking out a steakhouse in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, food is accessible in a lot of places, especially on travel days. Don’t forget that your truck camper has everything you need to cook, even when cooking feels like a chore! If you’re someone on a tight budget, this is one of the easiest ways to stretch your dollar. 

You can also prep food ahead of your road trip to heat up later. It eliminates all of the prep time and gives you home-cooked meals. Perfect for those days where the explorations are long you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal when you get to camp. 

8. Don’t Get Caught Up in Fancy Gadgets 

There are some gadgets that are worth every penny, like an emergency GPS beacon. Others, like a mobile woodfired pizza oven…not so much. There are new inventions to make life on the road more comfortable that pop up every year, and it’s easy to say, “I need that!!” But that is easily when camping can become a very expensive hobby. It’s easy to think we need it, especially when it pops up all over our social media feed. But sometimes we need to remind ourselves that camping is about disconnecting and going back to our roots!