Warm weather is here and that means thousands of Midwesterners will head out on road trips soon. We wanted to give you some tips that can help you save money while you are driving to your destination.
- Get a tune-up and cut weight: Preventive car care before a summer road trip can help you save on gas and help you spend less time on the side of the road waiting for roadside assistance. It is suggested that you get your tires checked and your oil changed before your trip. Having your tires properly inflated can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3%. Also, before you decide to hit the open road, you will want to remove any unnecessary weight from your car. An extra 100 pounds increases fuel consumption by 1-2%.
- Responsible renting a car: When you rent a car, avoid renting one at the airport. If possible, seek deals online and a few miles from the airport. Choose the smallest car that meets your travel needs. Not only will you save money on the rental, but you will save on filling the gas tank.
- Stock up before hitting the road: Retailers like Costco offer food and fuel savings in a single stop. Fill your cooler with yogurt, cheese snacks and lunch meats for your trip. This kind of store has great deals on individually bagged snacks like KIND bars, SmartPop! and nuts.
- Use mobile apps to save on gas: Apps like GasBuddy include a feature that can help you calculate fuel costs for a trip or compare prices at nearby gas stations. Planning your route ahead of time can also cut costs, the app Waze can help with finding the best option from point A to point B.
- Call and book hotels directly: Expedia, Hotwire and Priceline all have the search feature devoted to finding last-minute deals on hotel rooms and other travel products, but in some cases their results don’t always represent the best offers. Once you have found the hotel and rate you want, call the hotel directly to see if they can beat the online price.
- Get CityPass or coupon book for food and fun: If you plan on visiting the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, look into a CityPass, this pass bundles discounted admission to top attractions in fourteen U.S. locations.
- Start a summer savings plan: You probably don’t have time to build a big bankroll in time for this summer, but there are some online savings tools that can help you get ahead of some expenses. Use the app Digit as a digital piggy bank. This app automatically withdraws small amounts from your checking account. You will barely notice, until your first notification that you have saved $100, which will be enough to afford gas for a long road trip.
If you have any questions about auto coverage, the agents at R.C. Keller & Company are just a phone call away. We have been serving the Schaumburg area, as well as all around Chicagoland, since 1910. Our marketing plan is not based on internet ads or catchy slogan. We strive to have completely happy and satisfied customers and build long-lasting relationships.