One of the most gratifying things about being Denver’s best auto body shop is getting our customers back on the road so they can enjoy their cars. If you are going to take a driving vacation over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, you will join the 33 million Americans projected to travel over 50 miles from their home to celebrate the end of summer.
While the average family plans to spend $749 on their Labor Day getaway, you can reduce your expenses when you take advantage of some of the easy tips below:
Plan your trip before you leave. Take some time to look online for free Labor Day events near your destination. Why pay for admission to a fancy water park or other attractions you can visit during the rest of the year, if a free holiday event is available?
Make lodging reservations in advance. You’ll normally get a better rate and ensure you have a place to stay after a long day of driving. There are a number of online travel sites that can help you find a great deal. If you have a special place you would like to stay, contact them directly and see if you can get an unpublished rate. It never hurts to ask!
Pack your lunches. Break out the camping cooler from the basement and pack some sandwiches and other nutritious lunch choices. Having food available in the car will also allow you to make better time on your trip. Stopping for fast food can be a big hit to your trip budget and isn’t the healthiest choice.
Pack your snacks too. With a little planning, the only thing you will need to buy from a gas station is your gas. On average, you can double your snack budget by buying family-sized bags of chips or other goodies at the grocery store compared to the smaller portions available at most convenience stores. Consider freezing any drinking water the night before you leave. This trick is an easy way to have a nice, cool drink ready for you in the later stages of your trip.
Pack the right stuff. When you create your packing list, add a first-aid kit, charger for your iPad or mini DVD player, sunscreen and other items that aren’t part of your normal driving routine. In addition, take out the golf clubs or any other heavy items hiding in the truck. The more your car has to carry, the more expensive your gas costs will be on your trip.
Use your smartphone to find deals as you travel. Use Yelp, AAA TripTik, Foursquare and other smartphone apps to uncover special deals along your route. Smaller businesses are using mobile marketing and social media to directly connect with travelers and offer deals you won’t find anywhere else.
Have a great three day weekend! Let us know where you decided to vacation in the comments section of this post.
