Travel season can be expensive to begin with, so when gas prices spike around the same time, you may feel doomed. It can be daunting to try and plan a trip when gas costs more than you can reasonably afford. How can you make travel plans happen when gas prices are soaring?
What to do When Gas Prices Spike
Disclosure – What to do When Gas Prices Spike post contains affiliate links.
Have a Local Vacation
Summer travel doesn’t necessarily mean a faraway destination. When gas prices are soaring, consider staying close to home. A vacation to the city closest to yours can give you some variety, and still not cost too much. Cut your driving to a minimum in order to save big on your vacation.
Sometimes when you vacation in the city or state you live, you will be amazed at the things you find that you didn’t even know where there.
Double Check Airplane Ticket Costs
One would assume that spiked gas prices would result in expensive airplane tickets. However, that is not always the case. Keep your eyes on the price of tickets as you still may be able to find good deals. In this case, it might make more sense to fly than to drive.
There are sites like Dollar Flight Club that can offer amazing prices on airplane tickets.
Save Money Elsewhere
If you simply must drive, and you have a long way to go, then cut the costs elsewhere. Look for a bargain where it is possible, such as hotel costs or eating arrangements. Don’t focus on what you cannot change, but on what you can.
Use sites like Hotels.com to find great prices on hotels, and earn back perks at the same time.
Related: The Right Way to Pack a Carry On
Have a “Staycation”
It may be a newly-coined word, but the general idea of a staycation is a tradition that families have used for generations. Instead of traveling a long distance, or even driving out of town at all, stay at home and explore your city as though you were a tourist. Your city or area is sure to offer many exciting opportunities that may not even know about.
What is your area famous for? Do you have any great historical monuments nearby? What kind of scenery does your area offer? Is it known for its educational museums, exciting theme parks, or great shopping?
Perhaps you can choose one theme for each day of your staycation holiday. From water parks, to great hiking trails, to unique restaurants… it’s more than likely the place you live has just as many interesting places to go as any other location. Grab a tour guide and pretend you are visiting your area for the first time. Make it your goal to learn something new about where you live.
Many times if you look on Groupon you can find all sorts of fun things in your area to do, on the cheap.
Related: Save on Travel
It’s the Small Things
Many things you might not be aware of can lessen a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Issues such as poor tire alignment can cause gas to burn more quickly. Even if it is a relatively small amount, it adds up over time. With proper maintenance, your vehicle will be more able to combat this. If your vehicle is your mode of transportation on this year’s vacation, take it in for a tune-up before leaving.
Don’t forget the details. Be aware of the small things such as keeping your tires filled. When the tires on your vehicle are deflated, it will cause fuel efficiency to decline. Fill them up and save what you can. This applies to many other areas of vehicle maintenance as well.
Going on vacation during a spike in gas prices can mean added expense, but it doesn’t have to. There are many things you can do instead of driving long distances, and ways you can minimize gas consumption if driving is your only choice. Take a look at these tips and find ideas on what you can do when high gas prices and your vacation collide.
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