5 Budget Friendly Summer Road Trips for Families (2024)

If you’re looking for a fun and affordable way to spend quality time with your family this summer, why not take one of these budget-friendly summer road trips for families?

Road trips are the perfect way to explore new places, create lasting memories, and make the most of your holiday. Plus, it doesn’t have to break the bank!

We’ve rounded up five amazing road trips that won’t cost an arm and a leg – from exploring national parks to visiting family-friendly attractions.

So grab your car keys and get ready for some serious summertime fun!

5 Budget-Friendly Summer Road Trips for Families

5 Budget Friendly Summer Road Trips for Families (1)

Summer is the perfect time to hit the road with your family and explore new destinations.

However, planning a family road trip can quickly become expensive if you’re not careful.

The good news is that there are plenty of budget-friendly summer road trips that can be just as fun and memorable for your family.

Keep reading to discover some amazing ideas and tips for planning a memorable summer road trip that won’t break the bank.

Get ready to pack your bags and hit the open road!

Benefits of Road Trips

Taking a road trip can be an incredibly rewarding experience for families. First and foremost, it provides an opportunity to create lasting memories together that can be cherished for years to come.

Whether it’s exploring new destinations, trying new foods, or participating in outdoor activities, the shared experiences of a family road trip can bring your family closer together.

Moreover, road trips are often more flexible than other types of vacations since you can decide where to go and how long to stay in each location. This means you have greater control over your itinerary and can make the most out of your vacation time.

You can also add impromptu stops along the way, making it easier to discover hidden gems and local attractions that you might otherwise miss if you were flying to your destination.

Finally, taking a road trip can be more cost-effective than other types of vacations since you have greater control over your expenses.

By packing snacks, staying in budget-friendly accommodations, and planning ahead, you can avoid overspending and stick to your travel budget.

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Summer Road Trips for Families

From exploring national parks to visiting family-friendly attractions, here are five budget-friendly summer road trips that you and your family will love.

Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone is the perfect destination for families who love nature and outdoor adventures. The park offers stunning views, hiking trails, and wildlife that your kids will never forget.

Best of all, admission to the park is very affordable. You can camp or rent an affordable cabin inside the park and cook your meals.

Washington, D.C.: Exploring the nation’s capital is a treat for the entire family. You can visit famous landmarks such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums.

Best of all, most attractions are free, including the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum. Plus, many hotels offer affordable rates in the summer.

Florida Beaches: Florida beaches offer a perfect getaway for families that love the sun, sand, and water. Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Panama City Beach are popular destinations that offer plenty of family-friendly accommodations, eateries, and entertainment. You can relax on the beach, enjoy water sports, or take a dolphin-watching tour.

Road Trip Along Route 66: For families who love adventure, a road trip along Route 66 is an excellent option. This historic highway takes you through small towns, big cities, and breathtaking scenery.

You can stop at iconic attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Cadillac Ranch, and the Wigwam Village Motel. Plus, the cost of lodging and food is relatively cheap compared to other places.

San Diego: San Diego is one of the most popular destinations in California. It offers a perfect mix of fun, culture, and relaxation. You can visit the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and Legoland.

Plus, the beaches are perfect for surfing, swimming, or simply relaxing. Moreover, you can rent a vacation home or campsite for affordable rates.

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Tips for Planning a Family Road Trip

Research Affordable Accommodations

Do your research to find budget-friendly accommodation options such as campsites, hostels, or vacation homes.

Plan Ahead

Make a plan for your road trip to ensure you get the most out of your travel time and budget. Map out stops along the way and decide which attractions you’d like to visit in each location.

Pack Snacks

Packing snacks will save money on food costs and provide fuel during long drives between destinations. Non-perishable items are best since they won’t spoil quickly in hot weather conditions.

Don’t forget to take some fun road trip printables! A road trip activity pack is always a good idea.

Share Driving Responsibilities

Sharing driving responsibilities can help reduce fatigue and stress during a road trip while also allowing everyone to enjoy the scenery along the route more freely without worrying about staying focused on the road ahead of them all of the time!

Plus, it saves money on gas since there will be fewer cars involved with the journey overall if someone is willing to take turns being a driver for short stints at a time throughout each day’s drive!

Get Travel Insurance

Purchasing travel insurance is always recommended when traveling abroad or taking long trips so that any unexpected medical issues or other inconveniences don’t eat up your entire travel budget.

With a little preparation and research, you can plan the perfect summer road trip for your family! Enjoy the journey and make memories that will last a lifetime!

5 Budget Friendly Summer Road Trips for Families (4)

Taking a budget-friendly summer road trip is an excellent way to spend quality time with your family this summer.

Road trips provide parents and kids the opportunity to bond and get to know each other better, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Plus, there are so many fun activities you can do together that won’t break the bank.

So, plan your route and hit the open road this summer!

5 Budget Friendly Summer Road Trips for Families (2024)

FAQs

How much money do I need for a 5 day road trip? ›

As you may recall, $75 per night is a fair average amount to budget for lodging. Over the course of a 5-day cross-country road trip, that adds up to $375 for accommodations. Let's not forget activities. At $25 per day, you should expect to dedicate $125 for recreation throughout a 5-day jaunt across America.

What's a good budget for a road trip? ›

If you're not planning on taking a long road trip, a good rule of thumb is to budget about $150 per day. Broken down even further, this budget per day would look like $20 for snacks, $30 for gas and $100 for hotel costs, according to Kroeger.

Is 5000 enough for a trip? ›

If managed carefully, a $5,000 budget is more than enough to eat and drink your way across the continent on a 10-day or two-week trip –or perhaps even longer.

How much does a 1 week road trip cost? ›

The average cost of travel for a week-long vacation for two people is $1,040. Travel arrangements related to your vacation costs rack up fast. Not only do you have to figure out how you're getting there, but you'll need to know how you'll get around once you reach your destination.

How do I plan a mini road trip? ›

Follow these steps.
  1. MAKE A BIG-PICTURE ROAD TRIP PLAN. ...
  2. CHOOSE YOUR OVERNIGHT STOPS. ...
  3. ADD QUICK, EASY STOPS ALONG YOUR ROUTE TO MAXIMIZE FUN IN MINIMAL TIME. ...
  4. PLAN FOR FUEL STOPS AND VEHICLE CHECKS. ...
  5. BE REALISTIC ABOUT TIME CONSTRAINTS. ...
  6. CREATE A ROAD TRIP BUDGET.

How to visit all 50 states on a budget? ›

10 tips for exploring the USA on a budget
  1. Seek out cheap domestic flights and onward travel options. ...
  2. Save money on hotels and motels. ...
  3. Consider visiting in May or September. ...
  4. Don't say no to camping – sometimes it's barely camping! ...
  5. Take advantage of free admission to national, state and city parks.
Sep 23, 2023

What is a reasonable travel budget? ›

The average cost of a domestic vacation in 2023 was estimated at $283 per person per day, a total of $1,584 per person for a weeklong trip, by BudgetYourTrip.com, a travel expense website. That includes an average of $206 per night in a hotel room, $37 per day for transportation, and $46 a day for food.

What state is fun for kids? ›

Here, we've rounded up some America's most kid-friendly attractions in popular destinations like San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, and lesser-known pint-sized paradises like Empire, MI; Huntsville, AL; and Bloomington, MN (hello, Mall of America) to help you whittle down the search for your next family vacation ...

What are best places to go with family? ›

Here is the list of 40 Best Family Holiday Destinations in India
  • Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. 4.5 /5 View 38+ photos. ...
  • Alleppey, Kerala. 4.5 /5 View 62+ photos. ...
  • Darjeeling, West Bengal. 4.3 /5 View 50+ photos. ...
  • Jaipur, Rajasthan. ...
  • Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. ...
  • Gangtok, Sikkim. ...
  • Coorg, Karnataka. ...
  • Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh.

Where is the safest place to travel with a family? ›

The Safest Places to Travel With Family in 2024
  • Singapore. ...
  • Portugal. ...
  • Copenhagen. ...
  • Norway. ...
  • Switzerland. ...
  • Iceland. ...
  • Hong Kong.
Dec 12, 2023

What is a good budget for a family vacation? ›

Average Vacation Costs in 2024: Transportation, Entertainment, and Budgeting Tips. Quick Answer: In the U.S., a one-week vacation for a solo traveler costs about $1,984, while a family of four can cost around $7,936. Inflation is on the rise, affecting how Americans choose to spend their money.

What is the best length of vacation for a family? ›

According to research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, the ideal length of a vacation is exactly eight days. As the researchers noted, a vacationer will feel an increase of happiness over the first several days of vacation, with that feeling peaking on the eighth day, The Times-Picayune explained.

How far in advance should you plan a family vacation? ›

Start the planning process well in advance

Allison Laypath, an experienced traveler and now family vacation planner, writes that for big and important trips, start planning at least six to twelve months in advance by having enough time to coordinate vacation days and create an inclusive itinerary.

How much cash should I take on a 5 day trip? ›

A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling.

How much cash should I bring on a road trip? ›

Deciding where to go and what to pack is stressful enough, let alone trying to determine how much money you need to bring. The general consensus is that you should have $50 to $100 in cash per day for each traveler.

How do I estimate the cost of a road trip? ›

Costs for the trip can be broken down into four main categories; gas, food, camping/lodging, and activity specific fees. Gas is estimated by taking the total mileage (plus a little extra), dividing by your vehicle's miles per gallon, and multiplying by the current fuel costs.

How do I pack for a 5 day road trip? ›

For a 5 day vacation, you will want to bring 2-3 pairs of shorts or pants, 3-4 tops, a light jacket (or a heavy jacket, depending on where you are traveling), and 1 formal outfit if you are planning on attending a nice restaurant or event. If you are going to the beach, pack 2-3 swimsuits/trunks.

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