How do you save money when traveling?

[MoneySavinDiva]

Hubs and I are taking a short, 4 day trip to Colorado next weekend to help his brother move (we live in Iowa). We don't have a lot of money to spare for this trip right now, so I'm allowing us about $100 for the 4 days. We got lucky, because my mil will be driving (she is the only reason we're really going. She wants someone to ride with her for 12 hour drive, and we saw it as a nice little vaca opportunity ) so she will pay for the gas, and she will also pay for the hotel. So really, we just have to pay for food and other traveling expenses that may come up. So how do you all shave money from your traveling expenses?

[chitownmelli]

We usually save by cooking most of our own food - but we are normally renting a condo or cabin with a full kitchen.

[kittensqueak]

Maybe you can bring a cooler with food or stockpile stuff to cook at your BIL's new house...then everyone saves $$ and gets good food!!!

[Colinsgrandma]

We always try to pack food when we are traveling by car. It easier than getting off the interstate and wandering around and more nutritious.

[nurseannette]

definately take your own drinks and bottled water.

[beth119]

We always try to pack food when we are traveling by car. It easier than getting off the interstate and wandering around and more nutritious.

I agree!

Greasy burgers eat away at your budget and tummy REALLY quick!

We always pack a cooler to take, and then find a decent rest area to stop, eat and STRETCH!

I would also pack stuff for your MIL, so that way she isan't pressuring you into resturants that aren't in your budget.

Have a safe trip!

[Sculpture Widow]

what everyone else said.....packing our own food (as much as possible)....try not to eat out every meal.
We also take reusable water bottles, and buy gallon jugs of water.

[Mothernature]

I curb a lot of the cost by using Coke points. Coke points buy gift cards to Dave N Busters, free drink coupons, and restaurant gift certificates. Also consider purchasing restaurant.com gift certificates.

$100 for 4 days will leave a lot of boredom. You may need to reconsider that budget.

[feyzanour]

i just bought $25 certificate and just paid $2 after the q however I am not sure if it was a good bargain? First of all i need to print the certificate but i am not sure how does a restarant verify thr athenticity cuz it looke like it can be reprinted:shrug7:

and also most of them say that valid for prchases over $35, so can I use more than 1 certificate at a time or do I need to pay the rest in the restaurant after I order?

another question is there is a %18 fee to be deducted, so I mean if all these add up, I am not sure it is a good bargain or not?

I curb a lot of the cost by using Coke points. Coke points buy gift cards to Dave N Busters, free drink coupons, and restaurant gift certificates. Also consider purchasing restaurant.com gift certificates.

$100 for 4 days will leave a lot of boredom. You may need to reconsider that budget.

[Jasmin71]

When we went on our road trip with 3 kids, we ALWAYS stopped in a grocery store and filled out cooler with Food like Sandwich meat and Sliced cheese and daily stuff. I brought a big tote with Snacks and fruit drinks & Water , that helped a BUNCH.
We went out for most Eating, but when it was nice we would Grill out ( mind you we went in February)
We went from Michigan too St Louis, over too Arizona - Hoover Dam- Vegas- Utah- Nebraska-back to Michigan. So BIG round trip :)