As cars become more common in households, road trips have replaced group tours as the most popular way to travel. How can you travel safely and save money on a self-drive vacation?
If you choose to go on a road trip, first take your vehicle to a reputable repair shop or 4S store for maintenance and inspection before departure. Ensure the car is in good condition before hitting the road. Bring the “four essentials”—tow rope, battery jumper cables, triangle warning sign, and spare tire—to be prepared for any car troubles and avoid wasting time and effort during the trip.
When traveling by car, try to stick to highways. Highways generally have better road conditions and often bypass the winding mountain roads of older secondary routes. As a result, the actual distance traveled on highways tends to be shorter, which helps reduce fuel consumption. While highways charge tolls, secondary roads often have various fees—usually 5–10 yuan per county—which can add up. Additionally, roads near towns and counties may be in poor condition and could damage your vehicle. What’s more, you might easily fall into speeding traps.
There are also some fuel-saving tips while driving. For instance, keep the windows closed, ensure your tires are properly inflated, and avoid changing tire sizes arbitrarily. Try not to accelerate abruptly, and keep an eye on the temperature gauge—80–90°C is optimal. For most vehicles, driving at 80 km/h is the most fuel-efficient speed. Furthermore, every additional 1 km/h increases your fuel consumption by about 0.5%.
In choosing destinations, road trips offer great flexibility. Many popular scenic spots tend to have high admission fees, so consider exploring lesser-known routes. With fewer visitors, these spots usually provide better quality services, and you’ll avoid the frustration of “only seeing crowds, not sights” that often happens in popular tourist destinations.
To avoid buying “overpriced water” on the road or inside scenic areas, bring a case of bottled water with you. If you're only going for a day trip, pack some food so you can stop and eat whenever you’re hungry. This saves time and cuts down on dining expenses. For accommodations, book hotels online in advance—online bookings usually come with discounts. Of course, if you have relatives or friends where you’re traveling, even better—you can save on meals and lodging by staying with them.
Since road trips offer flexibility in both itinerary and timing, there’s no need to buy souvenirs, local specialties, or brand-name products at tourist sites. Instead, set aside some time to explore local markets or even night bazaars. This way, you can find quality goods at lower prices and also experience the local “market scenes” in different places.