Going on a motorcycle trip is the ultimate dream of all bikers and, to be honest, one of the main reasons why they invest in such a vehicle in the first place. However, it takes a lot of time and planning if you want to prepare for your next trip across the country, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
Living a frugal lifestyle is not always easy, especially when you’re on vacation and want to enjoy the small pleasures. Nevertheless, you can end up saving a lot of money and even travel more if you invest smartly and stay away from tourist traps. Here is how to properly prepare for your future motorbike trip while staying on a budget.
Plan in advance
If you already know your route and where you are going to sleep while on the road, planning your trip in advance can save you hundreds of dollars. Pay all your road taxes in time and even get discounts on hotels and motels if you book at least a few weeks in advance.
Another tip is to never plan your trip during the peak season, which is in August for most mainland US. If you still want to enjoy good weather without paying extra for food and accommodation while being stuck in traffic for hours, you should travel at the beginning of September or in late May-early June.
Use apps to find the best prices on gas, food, and accommodation
We live in the era of technology where you can do everything from your phone. So why not enjoy some of the 21st-century perks and download some free apps or go on some websites that are actually useful when traveling on a budget?
Websites like GasBuddy.com will tell you the best fuel price wherever you travel. AroundMe is an app that tells you just that – everything you can find near your area, from banks and bars to restaurants, hotels, gas stations, supermarkets, and others.
In fact, most phones can successfully replace professional GPS as you can easily download apps and use them offline to get detailed maps of the road, and everything that is worth visiting in the area. However, if you don’t want to rely on your mobile data plan, perhaps this list with the best models compared will help you invest in a good GPS unit.
Stay away from tourist traps
A trip to remember should also include pit stops to visit breathtaking natural parks, museums, and other historical buildings that are part of the national patrimony. Unfortunately, most of these attractions will charge you big bucks for tickets, which could significantly increase your trip costs.
If you don’t mind making a detour, you’ll find that most natural parks have more than just the official entrance where you are charged. And, for those who still want to visit museums without paying for the ticket, you can always adjust your trip according to the free days of each museum.
Pack snacks
A huge amount of money will be spent on food and accommodation but you can change that if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone for a while.
Being frugal also implies switching to free camping sites or using platforms like couchsurfing.com to see people in your area who are willing to share their homes with travellers, free of cost.
As for the meals, you should avoid eating at diners along the highways or in the big cities. In fact, you can skip eating out almost entirely if you do your groceries in advance and pack your own meals. Choose fruits, veggies, and foods that won’t alter after just one day and invest in some meat cans that will provide the necessary proteins to keep you going.
