13 Tips To Save Money on Your Next Dream Road Trip

(And Why Being Broke Shouldn’t Stop You from Seeing the World)

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In 2021, I went on one of the most unforgettable adventures : an 11-day road trip through Arizona and Southern Utah with a final stop in Las Vegas. It all started with an Instagram story…

A close friend I hadn’t spent time with in years posted a route map across the Southwest with the caption, “Anyone want to join me?” I immediately replied without hesitation: “Count me in.”

What I didn’t mention was that my bank account was nearly empty. I had just relaunched my business, was in the process of moving and had no idea how I was going to make it work. But I did know this: when the universe opens a door, you don’t wait for your finances to be perfect. You figure it out. (More on manifestation magic in a future post.) So we planned the trip in just six weeks, and through a mix of scrappiness, resourcefulness, and a few travel hacks, we managed to save hundreds, or maybe even thousands, without missing a single moment of magic.

Here’s how we did it:

Road Trip Saving Tip #1: Bring a Buddy

I’m all for solo travel (and will rave about its benefits another day), but road tripping with a friend means you split everything—gas, accommodations, rental car fees, groceries. It made a massive difference in our budget without sacrificing any of the fun.Road Trip Saving Tip #2: Use Those Miles, Points, and Memberships

Road Trip Saving Tip #2: Use Points, Miles & Membership Perks

My travel buddy used her airline miles to cover most of our flights to Phoenix, cutting our costs to only $180 each roundtrip. If you travel often, become a rewards member with your favorite hotel chains or airlines (even if you aren’t a frequent flier) to start getting all the benefits of being part of a loyalty program. Start earning points with hotel rewards, or a travel credit card that earns you perks on everyday spending, because these programs add up. If you’re curious, this is the card I recommend and use for earning flexible points (affiliate).

Road Trip Saving Tip #3: It Never Hurts to Ask!

We realized—on the flight—that we had booked our rental car at the wrong airport. Cue panic. After calling customer service and finding out the same car at the correct airport was twice the price, we rolled the dice and waited in a long line at the rental desk.

We crossed our fingers, made a guess about which rep would be the nicest, and then we just... asked.

And it worked! We got the same deal. We saved ourselves hundreds (and a ton of time) by simply being brave enough to ask.

Above: Pulling over to take a break in our rental car on our drive through Utah.

Road Trip Saving Tip #4: Stock Your Cooler

Eating out for every meal will wreck your budget fast. As soon as we landed, we grabbed a $9 cooler from a big box store and did a grocery run. Most breakfasts, snacks, and even a few dinners came from that cooler. We refreshed ice every couple of days and only splurged occasionally on local inexpensive gems—like tacos in Arizona and BBQ joints that didn’t break the bank.

Want a full packing list and grocery essentials checklist? Download my Road Trip Toolkit here.

Road Trip Saving Tip #5: Split Food (& Not Just the Bill)

Not only did we save cash, but we also reduced food waste by splitting meals. When portions were big, we’d share a main dish and supplement with snacks from our cooler or adding an extra side dish. It’s a great way to sample local flavors without overspending or overstuffing, while also preventing waste (throwing away cold fries in a hot car is just sad).

Road Trip Saving Tip #6: BYO Coffee (Or At Least Try)

This is where we flopped. We meant to bring a little stove and make our own hot coffee, but when it’s 100+ degrees in the desert? Yeah. Hot coffee wasn’t happening. So we splurged on iced coffee...pretty much every day. Next time, we’ll come prepared with a cold brew setup like this one.

Road Trip Saving Tip #7: Scratch the Booze

We made this a wellness-style road trip—lots of hikes, early mornings, and slow evenings under the stars. I only had three drinks on the entire trip (including Vegas), and honestly? I didn’t miss it. Alcohol and bar tabs add up fast. So do hangovers.

If you still want a treat, try grabbing a couple canned mocktails or a mini cocktail kit like this for a fun alternative. (affiliate)

Road Trip Saving Tip #8: Get World Nomads Travel Insurance

I didn’t need to make a claim on this trip, but having travel insurance could have ended up saving me a TON of money. I always use World Nomads and it saved me a huge headache when I was reimbursed for a stolen phone in Central America because I had it. Depending on your plan it also covers unexpected medical expenses, losses with trip delays, missing luggage and/or property damage. Bonus: It can cover rental car insurance, too. It’s one of those things you hope you never need... but are wildly grateful for when you do.

Road Trip Saving Tip #9: Book Early…Or Last-Minute

Sounds counterintuitive, right? But if you miss the early-bird deals, there are still options. We used HotelTonight and the Hopper app to book same-day hotel rooms at deep discounts. We even scored a night in a King Suite at The Venetian in Las Vegas for $125—including all taxes and resort fees! Our room had three TVs. (Yes, one in the bathroom), a sunken tub, a mini bar, and access to ten pools. Not bad for a budget trip.

I also always use Skyscanner when searching for flights, especially when I just want to go “somewhere” on a budget, by using their “Everywhere” search option!

Scored a great deal at The Venetian hotel, and an even better photo at sunset.

Road Trip Saving Tip #10: Camp for FREE

We brought a tent and picked up $9 sleeping bags on arrival, hoping to camp in Zion. But it was full. A quick search landed us on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land just 20 minutes away—for free.

We also camped inside Bryce Canyon for just $20/night. Two nights in Zion and one night in Bryce Canyon, split between two people? That’s $3.33 each for 3 nights! Not every BLM site has amenities, but you can find safe, legal, and often stunning, spots on The Dyrt or FreeRoam (affiliate).

Our free Bureau of Land Management spot just outside of Zion National Park.

Road Trip Saving Tip #11: Opt for a Room, Not a Full Place

For five nights, we stayed in Airbnbs—but instead of entire homes, we rented private rooms. Not only did this cut costs dramatically, it also gave us something money can’t buy: connection with locals.

Our Sedona hosts owned an adorable coffee shop and gave us free artisanal coffee. They also tipped us off to a UFO conference in Vegas that my friend ended up getting a ticket too.

Scored coffee with an amazing view in Sedona, thanks to our Airbnb hosts.

Road Trip Saving Tip #12: Buy A Pass

If you’re traveling the U.S. and planning to visit even three parks, the $80 America the Beautiful Pass (affiliate) pays for itself fast. It also covers national forests, monuments, and more. If you're headed to a big city with lots of tourist stops, look into a CityPASS for bundled entry to museums and attractions.

Our America the Beautiful pass got us into Grand Canyon National Park and more, saving us cash along the way.

Road Trip Saving Tip #13: Know What’s Happening 

One of my favorite meals on the trip came from pure luck: we were in Vegas during Restaurant Week. A burger, truffle fries, and salad at Gordon Ramsay’s spot for $30, which was cheaper than ordering items separately during another week. Always check the calendar before you go. Free festivals, music nights, and events can fill your itinerary for little to no cost.

BONUS Road Trip Saving Tip: You Won’t Die if You Run Out of Cash

Look, I’m not saying spend recklessly. But I am saying: don’t let lack of funds stop you from saying yes.

Some of the most meaningful trips I’ve taken were funded by a shoestring and a whole lot of faith. I’ve slept in airports, eaten dollar store trail mix, and said “yes” before I knew how it would work.

And every time, I figured it out.