How to Travel Across the U.S. on a Budget

Author: Nick Wharton / Source: Wise Bread

From the beauty of the hundreds of national parks, to the world famous landmarks dotted across the country, America is truly a traveler’s paradise. It’s possible to have virtually any kind of experience you’re after in the U.S., but many people believe it to be more costly than heading abroad on a vacation.

Sure, it’s possible to spend a fortune on a five-star hotel and business class flights, but there are also plenty of affordable ways to explore this breathtaking country. (See also: 5 European Cities You Can Visit for $50 a Day)

Opt for low-cost accommodations

If you’re not careful, accommodations can unnecessarily eat up a huge chunk of your travel budget. It will likely end up being your largest expense (unless you choose free options), so it’s vital to tackle this first to bring costs down.

Airbnb

Airbnb is particularly great as an alternative to hotels in major cities — which tend to be far more expensive. The cheapest way to use Airbnb is to use the private room feature. This allows you to book a room in someone’s house rather than having to shell out for an entire place of your own. You’ll have the added benefit of being able to use the kitchen facilities, which can save you tons on food costs. (See also: A First-Timer’s Guide to Using Airbnb)

Couchsurfing

This is by far the cheapest option when it comes to finding budget accommodations, because it’s absolutely free. It’s best to try and plan couchsurfing far in advance, as it’s unsurprisingly a popular service, and can get booked months ahead.

Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s mainly available in big cities, so you’ll need to plan accordingly if you’re heading to a more rural area.

Camping

Campsites can cost as little as $5, but if you want to save even more, there are plenty of options for dispersed camping (aka wild camping) that are absolutely free. Wild camping is widely available on Bureau of Land Management land and in National Forests. It could also open up a cheap way to visit National Parks, as much of this land lies directly beside National Park sites. (See also: How to Find Free Campsites in the U.S.)

Nosh on a budget

Food is reasonably cheap in the U.S., so keeping yourself fed and watered shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. However, there are ways to keep your food costs down.