6 Tips For Driving Across America on an Extratight Budget

While movies and shows play up the fantasy of simply throwing clothes in a suitcase and seeing where the road takes you, I'd encourage you not to do this if you're on a budget.

Instead, put in the time and plan your route beforehand. Not only will this save you a lot of money, but it will also guarantee a more successful — and less stressful — kind of trip.

If you have a limited amount of time, like we did, go ahead and list out a good majority of the places you'd like to see along your journey. This way, you can figure out how much time you'll need in each state, city, or town, and you can plan your route accordingly.

Please note, I am by no means suggesting that you forget about spontaneity. The sporadic detours and random stops along the way made for some of the most memorable moments of our trip. However, if you take time to do even the slightest of research beforehand, this will ensure your budget takes you further, and you won't miss out on any cool places in certain areas.

Yes, "glamping" has become a global trend for experiencing the great outdoors, yet this form of accommodations is by no way cheap, which means it will eat right through your budget.

Instead, pitch a tent and reconnect with nature the old-fashioned way by camping. Not only will this be the most authentic experience during your trip, but it will also save you tons of money. Some of the campgrounds we stayed at were less than $20 a night and had all the amenities we needed.

There are numerous inexpensive campsites around all the national and state parks, not to mention other reputable campgrounds such as KOA and Camp in my Garden. You can even find free camping sites on freecampsites.net. Talk about a sweet deal!

If camping isn't your cup of tea, that's fine, too. You can find cheap accommodations through Airbnb, VRBO, and of course, taking part in the classic Couchsurfing movement.

The first thing we did when we arrived at new destinations was scope out the local food scene. Whether it was local farmers markets, roadside produce stands, or good-ole Trader Joe's, we saved so much money by fixing our own meals. While we ate too many PB&J sandwiches to count, we had more of a budget to spend on experiences, which made this mundane meal quite delicious.

Because most campsites included a firepit, we made the most of our camping stovetop grill and cooked the majority of meals ourselves. From hearty oatmeal in the mornings to crispy quesadillas at night, we became quite the experts on campsite cuisine.

Of course, eating out is a fun way to explore a new city, so we didn't want to skip out on this entirely. Instead, we found ways to hack around the hefty price tag of restaurants. For example, we would order food to-go whenever possible. This way, we could minimize on tipping and eat our food picnic-style in peaceful parks or along glimmering waterfronts.

Did you know the National Park Service is offering 10 free entrance days during 2017 to celebrate its 100th birthday? Or that you can buy a Federal Recreation Pass for a mere $80, allowing you and three others an entire year of free entry to all the country's national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges? Or that a handful of museums have free entry on certain days, or have "suggested" admission prices, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City? Cha-ching — can you say amazing money savers!?

I would also suggest taking advantage of online resources, such as TripAdvisor community forums, to scope out even more good deals. Sites such as this one will open your eyes even wider on how to save money at each destination. Just as with planning your route ahead of time, being in the know and researching ongoing deals — even the ones not publicly showcased — will allow you to get the most bang for your buck.

Ever since I was little, my dad has preached the "expect the unexpected" sermon to my sisters and me, and I can't think of a better piece of advice when it comes to road-tripping across America. From flat tires to running out of gas, I'd be lying if I said nothing could go wrong even with a thoroughly planned-out trip.

I can't help but giggle when I think back on the first night of our journey. It wasn't until after it stopped pouring down rain did we realize our cartop carrier was not waterproof. So, our clothes, sheets, and pillows were all drenched. As you can imagine, we were not happy campers.

That said, be as prepared as possible in order to lower these types of risks. Have your car serviced before embarking on your adventure. Make sure to carry a physical map so you aren't solely relying on Google Maps, as you will encounter some areas with zero cell service. Have cash handy for the arch nemesis of toll roads. And make sure to always have a full tank of gas, especially when driving through the desert. Being as prepared as possible will not only save you time, energy, and lots of unnecessary frustration, but it will also save you money, too.

Just as with the open roads before you, making this ultimate road trip will teach you the good lesson of continuously driving forward. Whether it's during this epic journey across the United States or during the surreal journey of life, by learning to go with the flow, you will become more adaptable when things do veer off course — and they will! — and your heart will be open to even the most unexpected adventures.

So, take a deep breath in, say yes to the unforeseen, and get ready to fall even more head-over-heels in love with America. Because, as the wise Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "America is a poem in our eyes."