Travel on a budget – the RAC’s driving guide

Are you looking to save money on your next road trip or holiday? This expert guide is filled with simple ideas, tips and tricks to help you maximise your time away and keep your bank balance in the best of health.

How to travel on a budget

Here are some simple travel‑on‑a‑budget tips from the RAC:

• Plan your route to avoid traffic and save fuel
• Travel during off‑peak hours for smoother, cheaper journeys
• Keep your tyres correctly inflated to improve fuel efficiency
• Drive smoothly with gentle acceleration and braking
• Remove unnecessary weight from the car to reduce fuel use
• Compare fuel prices before filling up
• Pack snacks and drinks to avoid expensive stops
• Book accommodation in advance for better rates
• Choose budget‑friendly places to stay slightly outside major towns
• Visit free attractions like parks, beaches, and local markets
• Look for discount passes or free museum days
• Avoid motorway service stations when possible
• Use loyalty cards for fuel, attractions, and food savings
• Combine errands or stops into one efficient trip
• Set a daily budget to keep track of spending

Fuel efficiency

Fuel efficiency is essential for road trips, especially when travelling on a budget.

A more efficient car uses less fuel to cover the same distance, which directly reduces overall travel costs.

Smooth driving, correct tyre pressure (and maintenance), as well as rational speeds can significantly cut fuel consumption.

On long journeys, these small savings add up, allowing you to go further for less.

Efficient driving also reduces the number of fuel stops, saving both money and time.

For budget‑conscious travellers, prioritising fuel efficiency means more freedom to explore without worrying about rising fuel prices or unexpected expenses along the way.

Here are our five simple, effective tips for more fuel‑efficient driving:

• Accelerate smoothly – gentle, steady acceleration uses far less fuel than rapid bursts
• Maintain a steady speed – use higher gears early and avoid unnecessary braking or acceleration
• Keep tyres properly inflated – under‑inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption
• Lighten the load – remove roof racks and unnecessary items from the boot to reduce drag and weight
• Avoid excessive idling – switch off the engine if you’re stopped for more than a minute

Driving style

Smooth, steady driving that involves gentle acceleration, gradual braking, and travelling consistent speeds are vital.

Use your cruise control if you have it. This helps save fuel by maintaining a steady speed, reducing unnecessary acceleration and braking. It also optimises efficiency on motorways and supports smoother, more economical journeys, especially on long routes for improved fuel conservation overall.

All of this helps the engine or electric motor run more efficiently and reduces unnecessary fuel burn.

By avoiding harsh starts, constant speeding as well as stop‑start behaviour, this will cut wear on the vehicle, lowering long‑term maintenance expenses.

Plan your route

Planning your route smartly is one of the easiest ways to save money when travelling, and you can use navigation apps such as:

• Google Maps
• Apple Maps
• Waze

All of these apps help you to avoid traffic, road closures, and extended periods of idling – all of checking your route in advance, you can choose the quickest or most economical path and avoid unnecessary detours.

If you drive an electric car, you can also plan your charging stops to ensure you give yourself plenty of time (and range) to recharge the battery on your journey.

Car maintenance

Regular maintenance before a any lengthy road trip is essential for safety, reliability and keeping costs down.

If your car’s service is due, have this carried out before you leave. The RAC's Mobile Mechanics bring the garage to you, saving you the hassle of getting your car to a garage. Book a car service today.

You should check tyre pressure, tread depth and overall condition regularly. This helps improve fuel efficiency.

Also, by ensuring the oil and engine coolant are at the correct levels, it will keep the engine running smoothly and preventing any risk of overheating – especially during longer drives. Top up your screenwash while you are at it.

Before leaving you should test the car battery, lights and wipers. This will help avoid avoidable breakdowns or visibility issues.

If you can, also inspect the brakes, pads and if there are any warning lights appearing on the dashboard.

For anyone who isn’t sure on the best course of action when it comes to maintenance, speak to a mobile mechanic.

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What should you bring with you?

Knowing how to pack for a road trip is something the whole family will need to be involved with.

Packing smartly for a road trip helps keep costs down and ensures you are prepared for any situation.

Some of the most essential items include a phone charger, physical maps or a satnav, snacks, water, a basic first‑aid kit, and any necessary medication for you and your passengers.

If it is sunny, then make sure you have some sunglasses!

It’s also wise to bring a torch, breakdown essentials like jump leads, and important documents such as your driving licence and car insurance details.

Before you set off, make sure you have breakdown cover – and if you are heading onto the continent, ensure you have purchased European breakdown cover.

However, reducing unnecessary load is just as important.

Heavy items, unused equipment or overpacked luggage all increase fuel consumption by making the engine work harder than it needs to.

You should always stick to the essentials, pack efficiently, and remove anything you won’t need on your journey or holiday.

Always remove unnecessary weight from the car before leaving to reduce fuel use.

If you are heading into Europe, make sure you bring your passport and have gone through our checklist before setting off.

When to travel

Travelling at the right time can make a significant difference to both cost and comfort on a road trip – especially during busier periods throughout the year.

For example, setting off on your journey during off‑peak hours such as early morning or late evening will help you avoid heavy traffic, which reduces fuel consumption and unnecessary idling.

This is usually 10am to 3pm on a weekday, or late in the evening after rush hour has ended. Rush hour is typically 6-9am, and 4-7pm.

Weekdays are often quieter than weekends, especially outside school holidays or bank holidays, making journeys faster and more efficient.

Planning around weather conditions is also useful as avoiding extreme heat or heavy rain will improve safety and help the car perform better on the roads.

Also, by choosing the calmest, least congested times to travel, you save fuel, reduce wear on your vehicle, and enjoy a smoother, more relaxed journey.

Where to stay?

When you are looking to sort out your next holiday, choosing the right place to stay can help keep a road trip affordable and comfortable.

Of course, there are budget‑friendly options such as small hotels, B&Bs and independent guesthouses, which often offer better value than big hotels, especially outside city centres.

This is because they’re not seen as being as convenient as central accommodation.

However, most destinations have reliable public transport, and many places of interest are only a short walk or bus ride away.

As a result, you can often find great‑value stays just 10-15 minutes from the areas you want to visit, so it’s always worth shopping around for the best deal.

Also, booking in advance usually secures lower rates, but last‑minute deals can also be useful if your plans are flexible.

Alternatively, you can look to campsites and holiday parks, which are great low‑cost alternatives for drivers travelling with their family. Booking in advance for these is also essential – otherwise you run the risk of them running out of space.

Finally, prioritise places with free parking, breakfast included or kitchen access to save even more during your trip.

Where to eat?

Finding the right places to eat on a road trip can help keep costs down while still making the journey enjoyable – but it won’t compromise you enjoying your time eating with your family.

By choosing supermarkets, local cafes, or chain restaurants, you can often find cheaper options than stopping at motorway services stations, which tend to have higher prices.

However, packing your own snacks, sandwiches and drinks is another simple way to avoid impulse spending and stay fuelled between stops.

It is also important to ask for local advice when it comes to finding good quality and affordable places to eat. For example, the staff at your accommodation may be able to recommend a good quality restaurant or café. Likewise, visit the local tourism office for advice on the best places to eat.

Free things to do

Enjoying free activities on a road trip is a great way to stretch your budget while still making memorable experiences.

Many destinations offer scenic viewpoints, beaches, parks, and walking trails that cost nothing to explore.

You can also visit local markets, historic town centres or public gardens can give you a feel for the area without spending a penny.

Of course, there are also museums and other free attractions that are worth checking ahead of your road trip.

Set a daily budget and stick to it – and visiting free places is a great way to help.

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