The Frugal Family's Road Trip Survival Guide

Everything You Need to Save Money, Stay Sane, and Make Memories

Road trips are one of the most affordable ways for families to travel, but being unprepared can lead to last-minute spending, cranky kids, and wasted time. I'll share some great ways my husband and I save money while road tripping with kids!

What’s In Our Road Trip Survival Kit:

1. Snacks & Drinks (Buy Ahead, Save Big)

• Pack a mix of healthy and fun snacks (trail mix, granola bars, fruit, etc.). Think of things that are cheap but will keep you full for awhile. Buy them before you leave, NOT at gas stations. Gas stations are always more expensive. Plus you can use coupons and rebates at grocery stores before you leave!

• Bring a refillable water bottle for each person (for our kids, we use Tomme Tippee in the car because they're durable, spill proof and keep their drinks cold!)

• Tip: Pre-portion into zip bags or containers to avoid constant stops.

  
  

2. Entertainment Without Screens

• Road trip bingo, books/audiobooks, or printable scavenger hunts - just look for some on Google and print them out before you leave (or you can use your phone while you're on the road but you might run into areas of no service)

• Dollar Tree activity books or reusable sticker books (this busy book keeps my daughter entertained for hours and comes with a bag to keep everything organized).

• Podcasts for kids and parents (free + downloadable in advance)

• We LOVE this MP3 player for our 4 year old who loves music. She can listen to her own music (it's literally just an MP3 so she can't access the internet whatsoever) while we listen to our own music. It's also relatively cheap for an MP3.

  
  

3. Comfort Essentials

• Travel pillows, small blankets, and neck support - essential for car naps

• Sunglasses, window shades, and hand wipes

  
  

4. Mini First Aid Kit & Emergency Essentials

• Bandaids, motion sickness meds, pain relievers, etc.

• Flashlight, tire gauge, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer

• Tip: Keep it all in a small pouch in the glovebox. This is something you could have in your car regardless of going on a road trip or not.

  
  

5. Gas-Saving & Budget Tools

• Use GasBuddy, Upside, or Checkout 51 to find the cheapest gas and earn cashback!

• Google Maps offline mode for areas with poor service

• Plan ahead to avoid tolls or unnecessary detours

  
  

6. Reusable Everything

• Water bottles, cutlery, travel coffee mugs

• Wet bags for trash, dirty clothes, or wet swimsuits

• Tip: Saves you from buying overpriced disposables on the road.

  
  

7. Frugal Food Strategy

• Make sandwiches or wraps ahead of time. Our family's favorite is peanut butter because it doesn't need to be refrigerated.

• Bring a cooler with ice packs

• Scope out picnic-friendly parks instead of fast food stops. This can also add some fun because you can let the kids play and explore!

  
  

8. Budget-Friendly Car Organization

• Dollar Tree bins or seat-back organizers

• A “junk bag” or mini trash can

• Tip: Assign each kid a small basket for their toys and books

  
  

Bonus: Download Our Printable Road Trip Checklist Or our Family Travel Budget Planner - Both completely FREE to download!

Your next family road trip doesn’t need to drain your wallet or your patience. With just a little planning and the right survival kit, you’ll spend less, enjoy more, and maybe even make it through the whole trip without hearing “Are we there yet?”

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