How to save money on a road trip
Justin da Rosa
I love road trips. Really, who doesn’t? Meandering along undiscovered roads, stopping at chip trucks and local restaurants, catching a sunset from a new location every night — all while following no set agenda.
In the past few years I’ve embarked on numerous road trips – by both car and motorcycle – of varying lengths; from few-day sojourns in Ontario and Alberta to weeks-long adventures to the Southern United States. (I once drove to Florida in one straight shot from Toronto. I don’t recommend that.)
Each trip has its quirks and challenges: wrong turns, flat tires, cranky co-pilots, testy traffic.
With a little planning and foresight, however, it’s easy to manage one particular challenge: Cost. Here are some ways to keep to your travel budget while enjoying all there is to experience on the road.
Pack lunches
Sure, eating out while on a trip is one of the many perks. Personally, I look for family-run hidden gems that offer staples such as burgers, wings, and steak. Simple tastes. But those expenses add up.
It’s easy to pre-make a few sandwiches and stash them in a cooler to be whipped out whenever peckishness presents itself. They can be made for pennies and tide travellers over for a few hours until dinner – when you can really treat yourself.
Save on gas
Gas is typically one of the largest expenses you will accrue over the course of your road trip. (Other than accommodations. But more on that later.)
So, your gas expenditure is one to save a ton of cash. Gas Buddy is a helpful resource that will help you plan the most affordable fuel stops along your route. You can also use its handy trip cost calculator, which allows you to filter by car model and fuel requirements, which will give you a sense of how much to budget for fuel beforehand. That comes in handy when splitting the costs with travelling companions.
Turn off the AC to save even more money – air conditioning is a gas guzzler, so you’ll get more mileage if you roll the windows down instead.
Earn rewards through your credit card
Depending on your trip length, you might burn through an excessive amount of gas. Why not take advantage of that expenditure by collecting rewards points? Some of the best credit cards in Canada offer extra rewards points when used at gas stations.
Best for Groceries & dining
based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1pt – 6pts / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
45,000 points (a $450 value)
- Annual fee
$120
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers 3 points per dollar spent on gas as well as 5 points per dollar spent on dining, and points can be used to offset any travel-related purchases on your credit card statement — giving you even more savings on your road trip.
Best for Groceries & gas
based on spending $2,200/mo after the annual fee
- Earn rewards
1% – 4% / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
$250
- Annual fee
see Details
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card offers a leading 4% cash back on gas and EV charging, and it’s also partnered with Journie Rewards to save you up to 10 cents per litre at participating gas stations.
If you’re planning on driving a rental for your next road trip, both these cards also include travel accident and emergency medical coverage, as well as rental car insurance.
Skip the hotels
Room service is great, even if the fries arrive somewhat soggy. But the price is sometimes hard to swallow and several hotel stays on a road trip will add up.
Why not take the opportunity to get back to nature and sleep under the stars? Campsites cost a fraction of a hotel room and many parks offer comfort stations complete with running water and showers.
An even thriftier way to plan your stay is to search for free campgrounds. They do exist and, I can tell you from experience, they can be even more enjoyable than a hotel room.
The bottom line
The truth is, worrying about money is a surefire way to dampen the mood of any trip. That’s why a little foresight and planning can help you figure out areas you can save money before you even turn the key for your first leg – leaving you to enjoy the rest of the journey without having to fret about spending too much cash.
Also read:
- Best rewards credit cards in Canada for 2025
- How to earn cash back for your summer travel plans
- 5 ways to save on travel costs
- Canada’s best credit cards for travel insurance
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash