A summer road trip used to be a cost-effective, easy getaway. This year, soaring gas prices and expensive rental cars might make you think twice about hitting the road.
According to the
Plus, rental car prices hit record highs during the pandemic, up 38.6% in
But those roadblocks don’t necessarily mean you have to put the brakes on travel completely. You might just have to shift your road trip plans. Here’s how.
CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR DESTINATION
If you’re open-minded about your vacation destination, consider driving through a region with below-average gas prices. On
Those states, ranked from cheapest to most expensive, were:
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10.
Given how many of those states border each other, it’d be fairly easy to plan a road trip through the South or Midwest. You could start in
BE STRATEGIC ABOUT RENTAL CARS
If you’re renting a car, understand that rental car prices can vary dramatically depending on the rental company, whether you’re renting from an airport location versus downtown, and how far in advance you book.
Speaking of renting a car, this might be the year you rent an electric vehicle. The EV may have a more expensive rental price, but it could be cheaper than renting a gas-powered car and filling its tank.
Hotel and vacation rental companies also are making it easier to search for accommodations that offer electric vehicle charging. More hotels are promoting electric vehicle charging as a hotel perk, right alongside traditional amenities like pools and breakfast buffets. Many hotels even allow you to charge your car at no cost.
If rental car prices are brutally high, consider booking with alternative rental car companies like
For example, the cost of a weeklong car rental from
If you filled the Jetta’s roughly 13-gallon gas tank twice at
With so many variables, it pays to shop around before you make reservations.
KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE CHEAPEST GAS
If driving a gas-powered car is non-negotiable, master the art of saving money on gas. Download apps like
And if all else fails and you’re stuck with a gargantuan gas bill, at least earn rewards for your spending through a rewards credit card. The best gas credit cards can typically net at least 3% back in rewards for your gas station spending.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website
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