Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

The holidays are a time that often brings families together. But unfortunately, visiting family often requires lengthy road trips. So we’ve compiled a few tips to make those trips a little bit safer and a whole lot cheaper.

One of the most costly expenses when traveling is gas. However, even though fuel prices are often notoriously high, there are ways to save yourself a significant amount of gas money during your travels. One resource that can be advantageous on a road trip is a gas-pricing app such as Gas Buddy or Fuelzee. These apps will compare gas prices along your route to aid you in minimizing expenses. You can also save money by obtaining a gas card from a station that you regularly visit. These cards often come with discounted prices or opportunities to gain rewards.

Furthermore, you can save money not only by monitoring what you put in your car, but also by making sure your car itself is in top notch shape. Visiting a mechanic before your departure will undoubtedly help you save money in the long run. Ask your local repair shop to top off your brake fluid and antifreeze. They can also take a look at your brakes, belts, and hoses for signs of damage.

By far the easiest way to save money on your trip, however, is simply by slowing down. Studies by the U.S. Department of Energy have proven that each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas. It’s simply not worth it to save a little time only to spend a lot more money.

You can also save money on costly repairs along the way by getting a membership to AAA or another roadside assistance agency. These agencies offer such assistance as jump starts, free tows, and lost key assistance. The small expense involved in becoming a member has the potential to pay itself back several times over.

Along the way, make sure you pick routes void of toll booths. Apps such as Google Maps often allow you to choose routes specifically designed to avoid these fixtures.

And of course, the best way to get some peace of mind about your holiday travels is making sure that you have quality auto insurance. Talk to one of our representatives today about insuring your vehicle so that you too can travel in confidence!