Mami of Multiples

How to Save on Road Trips During Memorial Day and Summer Travel and Cash Giftcard Giveaway #MOMTravel

in entertainment, families, family outing, holidays, travel on

AAA estimates over 36 million US consumers will hit the road this Memorial Day holiday weekend and travel 50 miles or more. National gas prices are hovering around $3.65 per gallon and will peak during the holiday weekend.  In addition, 140,000,000 Americans plan to travel this summer (that is nearly half of the Americans in the country). Considering rising gas prices, an ill-managed road trip can be an expensive adventure.

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140,000,000 Americans plan to travel this summer. That is nearly half of Americans in the country. – See more at: http://boardingarea.com/loyaltytraveler/2012/05/12/summer-vacation-travel-whose-statistics-are-you-on/#sthash.oCDlgkSo.dpuf
140,000,000 Americans plan to travel this summer. That is nearly half of Americans in the country. – See more at: http://boardingarea.com/loyaltytraveler/2012/05/12/summer-vacation-travel-whose-statistics-are-you-on/#sthash.oCDlgkSo.dpuf
140,000,000 Americans plan to travel this summer. That is nearly half of Americans in the country. – See more at: http://boardingarea.com/loyaltytraveler/2012/05/12/summer-vacation-travel-whose-statistics-are-you-on/#sthash.oCDlgkSo.dpuf
140,000,000 Americans plan to travel this summer. That is nearly half of Americans in the country. – See more at: http://boardingarea.com/loyaltytraveler/2012/05/12/summer-vacation-travel-whose-statistics-are-you-on/#sthash.oCDlgkSo.dpuf
140,000,000 Americans plan to travel this summer. That is nearly half of Americans in the country. – See more at: http://boardingarea.com/loyaltytraveler/2012/05/12/summer-vacation-travel-whose-statistics-are-you-on/#sthash.oCDlgkSo.dpuan ill-managed road trip can be an expensive adventure.

To help you get away with less stress and less spending, consider these smart road trip tips compiled by Consumer Savings Expert Andrea Woroch.

Smart Prep

  • Service your vehicle, check air pressure for optimal gas mileage, and make sure you have a spare tire, jack and jumper cables.
  • Alert your bank and credit card company of your trip with the cities you plan to visit. This will help the company monitor fraud but also ensure you have access to your funds.
  • Download the Roadtrippers App to find landmarks, hiking trails and other notable stops along the way.
  • Stock a cooler with bottled water, soda and snacks. You can always find bags of ice at rest stops to keep the goods chilled and keep food and drink costs low.

Reduce Fuel Costs

  • Budget for fuel expenses and download the GasBuddy app to find the best-priced gas stations wherever you go.
  • Keep cash handy as many gas stations charge 10-cents more per gallon for credit cards. Plus, you’ll avoid any risk of card skimming fraud.
  • Take advantage of grocery and retail gas reward programs. Kmart’s FuelRewards offers 30-cents off gas coupons for every $50 spent, while Walmart recently introduced their Gas Rollback Program, providing 15-cents off per gallon when you use a Walmart Credit Card, MoneyCard or Bluebird by AmEx card.

Collect Dining Deals

  • Download the Coupon Sherpa mobile app and use the “nearby” function to map out restaurants near you that offer coupons. Or, print restaurant coupons before you hit the road.
  • Before you head out, search for daily deals at your destination for dining and save 40 to 60-percent off.
  • Stock up on discount gift cards to restaurants from sites like GiftCardGranny.com and save up to 30-percent off popular eateries, coffee shops, ice cream parlors and more.

Spend Less on Lodging

  • For last-minute bookings, download the HotelTonight app for luxury accommodations at up to 70-percent off.
  • When planning ahead, book through Hotels.com to build rewards toward a free night’s stay and take advantage of the site’s price match policy when you send them a link for proof.
  • Consider camping! You can find various camp sites along your route through CampingRoadTrip.com. Make sure to pack a tent and a few sleeping bags!

Mind Your Mobile Data

  • Accessing maps, reading reviews and sharing photos on social media may cause you to exceed your mobile data plan and the overage fees can be tremendous!
  • Download map directions at home or from a hotel WiFi so you use up data when looking for directions, and enable your WiFi locator so you can find free connections en route.
  • Track data usage and set alerts when nearing the cap with the 3GWatchdog App for Android and DataMan App for iPhone. Verizon, AT&T & Sprint allow you to check data usage in real time by dialing a special number, too.

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

To help with your Memorial Day and Summer travel, we are offering a $75 Cash Giftcard as a giveaway!

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Traveling!

Comments

  1. Hola.. Aprovechando el Memorial Day.. Estoy planeando con mi hija, ir por carretera a Key West a visitar una amiga, que hace mucho tiempo que no la veo, y una tarjeta de regalo me seria de mucha ayuda para ponerle gasolina al carro. Gracias por el sorteo y tus excelentes recomendaciones!

  6. Yes, we will be making summer road trips to visit relatives who live out of state. The GC would definitely help pay for our gas bills during these trips

  10. We were supposed to go away for Memorial Day weekend but our plans got cancelled. We are working on making alternate plans. A gift card would most likely come in handy once we get things straightened out.

  14. We’re planning a summer road trip to visit family out of town. A cash giftcard would be very helpful in gas and expenses along the way..

  15. I liked the Facebook post. I’m not planning a summer trip but will probably take a fall trip.

  20. We are not 100% sure but are talking about visiting family in another state

  21. I Liked the Mami of Multiples Facebook Page and “Liked” the #MOMTravel giveaway posted on your Facebook Page.

  22. We’re going to the zoo. A gift card would be great because we could spend it at the gift shop!

  25. We are going to be moving my daughter from one side of the state to the other. A gift card would be extremely helpful!!

  28. we may throw a picnic at my moms house. This would be great to help out with food.

  29. My family is leaving without me this weekend because I have a dogsitting job. But, I am taking a road trip up to Boise in August for my cousin’s wedding. A cash gift card would be great to use at all of the gas stations and food places along the way!

  31. We are going to my parent’s for a BBQ and a gift card would be helpful so we could buy gas to get there and also buy some side dishes and a dessert.

  37. We are not going on a Memorial road trip. We are staying home and cooking out. This would be nice for a future road trip.

  40. This summer we are planning a road trip to Duluth! So much to see up there….and the giftcard would help out so much!

  45. We’re planning on a trip to Chicago this summer, the GC would help with the gas expenses.

  49. I would love a cash gift card to be able to get some ‘extras’ for the summer since we have been on such a tight budget since my husband was laid off earlier this year. Thank you for your always awesome giveaways!

  51. I would use the extra money to take my kids to Six Flags since it’s their favorite place .

  53. We plan to rent a cabin for our grandkids at Hocking Hills. Its a short trip but with five grandkids, who knows.

  56. We are going camping for the weekend! A gift card would definitely help my kids’ smore’s addiction! 🙂

  65. We went to kings dominion and yes this gift card could be helpful for future trips

  67. My immediate family did not travel for Memorial Day, instead had extended family come visit us this weekend. We do have a Summer travel roadtrip planned across the mid section of the United States to take our kids back and forth to visit grandparents. The gift card would come in handy for gasoline.

  70. We are traveling to Orlando in July. A giftcard would be very helpful to help pay for gas.

  72. We didn’t go anywhere for Memorial Day but the gift card would be great for our road trip to the beach.

  77. We are planning a trip to the beach in late June. And the giftcard would definitely come in handy for the trip.

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  79. I liked the giveaway via Facebook as Jill Myrick.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

  81. Follow via Pinterest as Jill Myrick
    Fan via Facebook as Jill Myrick

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  82. Yes, I am planning a summer road trip. I plan to go and visit a friend of mine near the Gulf Coast. This gift card would be extremely helpful to me during the trip! I wish you a great summer!

  88. We have no travel plans so far but this would definitely help if we decide to travel.

  89. We are playing a big out of town tournament next month and this gift card would really help. My oldest daughter plays travel softball and we are all over the place with it. Thank you!

  90. We just stayed at home but I do want to go on a small vacation this summer

  96. We are planning a trip to Kings Dominion in a few weeks. Yes, the gift card would really help out with meals and such.

  100. No plans to go anywhere special. Perhaps a trip up in the mountains and the $75 would help with the gas.
    Thanks for the contest.

  103. Pinterest follow you: slehan
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  105. we are planning a big road trip this summer from MA to TN. this gift card would help towards dinners on the road.

  106. No special plans or road trip planned. We are just staying home for a big holiday meal and R&R, but a gift card would definitely add to our Holiday fun!

  110. planing a road trip from mn to portland or to visit family with all three kiddos

  114. Thanks for the giveaway…planning a few long weekends at the beach in San Diego with family; some extra $$$ would be nice !

  118. We are planning a few different small short trips this summer. A gift card will defiantly help with paying for meals.

  120. We plan to go to Maine for a couple of days this summer and a gift card would definitely help. Thanks!

  121. I plan on taking my 88 yr mom on local fishing trips. This would be awesome 2 win this 2 help get my air conditioning fixed in my car .