Today, nationally syndicated show View from the Bay will be taping a segment of our family taking off on our road trip. The show airs weekdays at 3:00 p.m. on ABC7 News (KGO TV) in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can also watch the show live online and visit the Web site to find out when it airs in other markets.
On the show, I'll be talking about road tripping on a budget. In the meantime, here are nine tips to help you hit the road without digging into your kid's college fund:
1) Leave the SUV at home. If you own more than one car, opt for the one that gets the best gas mileage. It will cost less and it’s better for the environment. Don’t have a fuel-efficient ride? Rent one.
2) Lighten your load. Carrying 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 percent. If you do have cargo to haul, use the trunk instead of a roof rack or carrier, as using these can decrease mileage by as much as 5 percent.
3) Inflate your tires. Under-inflated tires are a safety hazard and can decrease fuel economy by as much as 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level.
4) Drive gently. Excessive braking and accelerating reduces fuel economy, as does driving faster than highway speed limits.
5) Invest in a cooler. Fill it with drinks, sandwiches and snacks and dine at a park or rest stop. Also bring along refillable water bottles. A family of four can easily spend $20 a day buying water.
6) Enjoy free entertainment. You can play I-Spy, 20 Questions, or Name that Tune for free. Also, borrow Books on Tape from your public library; both kids and parents will enjoy the Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, and Ramona series.
7) Go for hotel freebies. Bed down at places that offer great value: free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking. For example, you’ll receive free Internet access at all Best Western hotels (www.bestwestern.com).
8) Dive into the hotel pool. Take a break from the amusement parks and shopping malls, and hang out at the pool, where you don't have to pay admission. Ninety percent of Best Western properties have swimming pools.
9) Take advantage of discounts. Your AAA card can save you money at hotels, restaurants, and attractions (aaa.com). You can pick up discounted amusement park tickets at Walmart (www.walmart.com) and Costco (www.costco.com). And if you’re planning to visit several national parks, consider an annual pass ($80, www.nationalparks.org).
1 comments:
Bon voyage, Amy!
As a kid in St. Louis, I lived a mile from Hwy 66. Don't miss Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (www.teddrewes.com) when you're there!
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