How Much Does a Cross-Country Road Trip Cost? My Real Budget Breakdown
Taking a cross-country road trip was always one of my biggest travel goals. Back in 2013, a travel companion and I finally made it happen. We drove across the country, visited several cities, attended sporting events, explored local attractions, and created memories that I still talk about today.
We had no idea how much a cross-country road trip costs. Before the trip, we saved a little over $2,000 each for the journey. We wanted to see if we could travel across the United States without completely destroying our finances. Looking back, I am honestly surprised that we stayed close to budget.
According to AAA, road travel continues to surge during peak travel seasons as more Americans choose driving vacations to save money and explore multiple destinations.
If you are planning your own cross-country road trip, this post will give you a realistic look at expenses, hidden costs, and ways to save money along the way.
Our Original Cross-Country Road Trip Budget
Our trip lasted 13 days. We started in Atlanta, drove across the country, and eventually flew back home from Los Angeles.
Here is what we estimated versus what we actually spent.
Honestly, the numbers still surprise me today. We expected the rental car and hotels to cost much more than they did.
The Biggest Expenses
Rental Car
People kept telling me there was no way we would find a rental car for under $1,000 for nearly two weeks. Thankfully, that turned out to be false.
After asking around online, a travel agent helped us book a car with Hertz for just over $523. We ended up driving a Dodge Avenger during the trip.
Today, rental car prices are much higher than they were in 2013, especially during summer travel months. Fuel prices, hotel costs, and airfare have all increased significantly since then, so travelers planning a similar trip today should build extra flexibility into their budget.
If you are trying to lower your travel costs, compare prices early and look for discounts whenever possible.
Hotels
Hotels came in slightly under budget. We used Priceline to find cheaper rooms throughout the trip, and a travel agent helped with a few bookings as well.
One thing I learned quickly is that location matters. Sometimes it is worth spending a little more money to stay closer to downtown areas or attractions instead of driving another hour after a long day on the road.
If I were doing the trip today, I would also compare:
- Airbnb
- VRBO
- Budget hotel chains
- Last-minute hotel apps
Booking hotels a few weeks ahead of time helped us stay within budget and gave us more flexibility.
Gas Adds Up Fast
Gas was one of the biggest variables during the trip. Some states were noticeably cheaper than others.
Even though we drove thousands of miles, we still managed to stay slightly under our gas estimate. That probably would not happen today with current fuel prices.
A few things helped us save money:
- avoiding unnecessary detours
- planning routes ahead of time
- filling up before entering expensive cities
Apps like Google Maps and GasBuddy make this much easier now than they did back then.
If you are trying to explore the country on a budget, route planning matters more than most people realize.
Food Was the One Area We Failed At
Food was the only category we went over budget in.
We planned to spend around $400 total, but ended up spending nearly $467. It is easy to underestimate food costs when you are constantly moving, exploring cities, and stopping at random restaurants.
If you want to save money on a road trip:
- Buy snacks beforehand
- Bring bottled water
- Stop at grocery stores instead of restaurants every time
- Avoid eating inside tourist areas constantly
Trust me. Those quick food stops add up fast over two weeks.
Hidden Expenses People Forget About
Most people only think about hotels, gas, and food when planning a cross-country road trip. The hidden expenses can sneak up on you quickly.
We also spent money on:
- parking
- souvenirs
- postage
- tolls
- sporting event tickets
- snacks
- random convenience store stops
Since we drove across the country, we even shipped boxes of souvenirs and memorabilia back home.
If you plan on attending sporting events or concerts during your trip, make sure to budget for those expenses early.
Cross Country Road Trip Tips
Bring a Cooler
One of the smartest purchases we made was a cheap cooler from Family Dollar.
Some days, you may not want to stop at a restaurant or gas station every few hours. Having drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and fruit in the car can save you both time and money.
Keep Backup Directions
Back then, GPS systems were nowhere near as reliable as they are today. Even now, it’s smart to download offline maps before driving through remote areas.
Google Maps and Waze are great, but cell service is not perfect everywhere.
Book Hotels Early
Waiting until the last minute can get expensive, especially during the summer travel season.
Booking hotels ahead of time gave us more options and helped us stay within budget.
Talk to Locals
Some of the best parts of the trip came from random conversations with locals. We got recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and hidden spots that we would have never found online.
Take More Pictures Than You Think You Need
You will appreciate those memories years later.
Would I Still Recommend a Cross-Country Road Trip?
Absolutely.
Even with rising travel costs, a cross-country road trip is still one of the best experiences you can have. You get to see different cities, landscapes, cultures, and people all in one trip.
Looking back, that 2013 road trip helped shape my love for travel. More than a decade later, I still enjoy finding ways to explore the country on a budget.
If you have never taken a cross-country road trip before, I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list at least once. If driving isn’t your thing, you can always take Amtrak across the country.
If you want more budget travel ideas and ways to save money while traveling, also check out:
Jason Butler is the founder of My Money Chronicles and an SEO consultant with over a decade of blogging experience. Since 2015, he has earned income through side hustles including blogging, eBay flipping, affiliate marketing, and freelance work while paying off over $64,000 in debt. His work has been featured in Forbes, Discover, Investopedia, and Yahoo Finance.
