When it comes to traveling, Americans can spend a pretty penny on transportation alone and that number rises every year! Whether you are driving to work, taking a long distance trip, a student going to class or just traveling on a vacation, we tend to spend a lot of money just on getting from point a to point b. Thankfully, there are a few ways to save money.
This is a contributed post and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
Gasoline
You may think there aren’t many ways to save on your gas bill but in fact there are several! Shop around for the best price. I love using the app, Gas Buddy, to find where the best places to get gas. Gas prices can vary as much as 20 percent only within a few blocks so make sure you are able to get the best deal you can. You can also buy discounted gift cards to use at various gas stations or drive a hybrid, scooter or economy car instead of a large SUV.
Plan A Route
Try and take the quickest route you can. The shortest route may not always be the fastest way. The shorter route could have heavier traffic or more stop lights which actually results in a longer drive. I use the WAZE app to help share the fastest route possible. If I have many errands to run, I try to do them all in one route instead of making several trips in and out of the house throughout the day. You can also avoid tolls if you’re traveling a long distance.
Carpool
Taking turns to drive with others can avoid adding all those extra miles on your car! If you drive about the average commute, splitting the cost of gas with just one extra passenger can save you about $600 per year on gasoline! You can even try and carpool with a co-worker if you work for a small company or find someone that works relatively near your office.
Take Public Transportation
There are many people who use public transportation. Using it will help save money on gas, parking, car maintenance, insurance and more! Most cities offer discounts on transportation if you pay in advance buy purchasing a monthly travel pass. Also consider the time you’ll save by not stopping at a gas station or driving around trying to find a parking spot.
Purchase The Right Car
When it comes to having your own car, evaluate your needs and decide what vehicle is right for you. If you’re single you probably don’t need a large SUV or van. A smaller car can be more practicable as well as a better gas mileage.
Telecommute
If you’re able to be in a career that allows you to work from home a few day a week, this can drastically reduce your transportation costs.
Air Travel
Make sure if you are traveling, you purchase your tickets at the right time. Typically, Monday and Tuesday are the best days to look for flights. If you’re able to, look at multiple routes when booking flights. Direct flights can be much more expensive than flights with a stop or connection. An extra two hours of travel time could equal a few hundred dollars in savings on your ticket price.
Car Rental
If you’re not going to be doing much driving, it might be cheaper to rely on cabs or Uber to get where you need to do. Make sure to see if your hotel can offer a free shuttle service or take advantage of them if they do! When thinking of a car rental, think of non-airport locations are typically cheaper than ones at the airport. Perhaps for great ones if you’re traveling with a group.
One of my favorites is from Lowcountry Valet and Shuttle. They offer a variety of luxury limousines, buses and vintage cars to ride in style and get you from point a to point b. They are able to pick you up and have the car delivered to your hotel as well. Whether you’re traveling or you have an event to attend with a tight timeline, the staff is placed on high priority to ensure that you’re always where you need to be at the right time. They guarantee on-time pickups and offer flight tracking to make sure you are on the right side of the clock.
Slow Down
Depending on your schedule, try just slowing down. What do I mean by that? Instead of jumping into a taxi, what about trying a bus or a subway instead. If you need public transportation, why not try and use your bicycle instead of walk there. It’s a great way to get some exercise as well!
When planning your next trip, I’m sure you’ll plan it out wisely after looking over these few tips. Hopefully they can really help you save money on your transportation costs and to use it in a different way.
