Spring break is approaching, and if you’re a student or have school age children in your home, that week takes on a special importance. It’s the last break before finals and the long stretch before summer rolls in.
This year, spring break means a road trip for my little family. That’s right, we’re braving the long van ride with a toddler and little ones in tow...and I’m a little bit nervous about it. So I’ve been researching, because while it’s very important to me for us to have as good a time as possible on the lowest budget we can, it’s also very important that I return the following Saturday with sanity intact. Just in case any readers also have plans to hit the road this spring, here’s a few tips I’ve picked up. Let’s hope they work out well for all of us!
Financially speaking, a road trip can span the spectrum from cheap to extravagant. From deciding whether or not to rent a vehicle or take your own to picking destinations, you really do have a lot of power over the price tag. My husband and I have small children, so we won’t be hitting any amusement parks or big water parks...the thrill would be lost on the kiddoes. We’ll be visiting state and national parks and exploring museums, gardens, and playgrounds instead, but you really have to decide what the best option is for you. If roller coasters and mile high waterslides rank high on your priority list, you’ll likely form enough memories to share and laugh about to make the experience well worth the expense.
Another huge cost we can run into while traveling the countryside is food. Drive thrus aren’t healthy and they get expensive. We’ll be packing a cooler with treats and enjoying more than one picnic at a park. The extra bonus for us is giving the kids time to burn off energy in between destinations. Of course we’ll enjoy the occasional lunch or dinner at a restaurant, but those will be special treats.
Planning your trip and your route is also a good idea, right down to when you plan to stop. I’m a little bit of a planner myself and to my husband’s amusement I’ve scheduled our driving times down to 15 minute intervals. You might not need to get that detailed, but if it gives you an extra sense of security, go ahead. There’s nothing worse than visiting a new state full of natural wonders and awesome tourist attractions and not knowing where to go or what to do. You don’t want to waste time or gasoline figuring it out after you’ve arrived. And if you plan to stay at hotels along the way, booking those ahead of time will definitely save you money, time, and stress.
Spring break is still a few weeks away. I’m looking forward to a fun week exploring with the family. I love an adventure, although one that I’ve researched and planned pretty extensively for. If you’re traveling away this spring, remember to save money where you can, like on junk food, to be able to have more experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.