7 tips to planning cheap road trips in 2023

Ready to plan this year’s road trip but wanting to go easy on the budget? A little research can go a long way to ensure there are no roadblocks to the perfect budget-friendly road trip in 2023.

Before you hit the open road, jump online and subscribe to any accommodation, tours or service you might use so you can receive notice of any upcoming sales promotions. Most promotions and discounts are often advertised two to four months in advance, but others will coincide with sales events like Black Friday or Boxing Day deals.

Ready to book on the spot? Try to book directly with the operator. While much of the world works online, don’t forget, it’s worth picking up the phone and asking if they can offer you a better deal than what you’ve found online.

Travelling during a “low” or “off-peak” season can be a much better time to travel, with fewer crowds and lower prices. During winter, destinations like the Sunshine Coast still offer the same sun-kissed beach days and golf courses as they do during summer, but with the added bonus of heavily discounted accommodation rates.

However, sometimes the cheapest time to travel isn’t the best time to travel: Uluru’s low season is November to March, but with temperatures above 35 degrees most days, the shoulder season in May is a better option for some.

Of course, travelling out of peak season isn’t the only way to find a good deal. The days of the week you travel can dictate how much you’ll pay for accommodation, petrol and even meals. Peak occupancy for hotels, motels and caravan parks tends to be on weekends and public holidays, attracting the highest rates. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings always have lower occupancy, and therefore cheaper prices. And if you’re on the road, who doesn’t love the mid-week lunch special at a country pub?

The golden rule of budget travel is to avoid travelling to the most popular destinations loved by families during school holiday peak periods. During school holidays prices can soar in Australia’s most-loved hotspots with families making the most of their allocated break time. To save money, try to book early and steer clear of popular locations where family holiday-makers are likely heading, such as kid-friendly holiday parks or camp spots. Alternatively, if the option is there for you, keep it simple and travel during school term. While each state has different term dates, as a general rule the best times of year to beat the school holiday rush across Australia include late February to March, May to June, August to September, and November.

Everyone loves spontaneity, but knowing where you’re going, and the way you’ll get there, can heavily influence your total expenditure. While most people are happy to rely on their mobile phone’s GPS map service, this can drop out of range, and getting lost, backtracking or taking the long way round can be a costly lesson in fuel consumption and your time.
In 2023, knowing where you’re going is more important than ever, with many roads, highways and driving routes damaged by last year’s record-breaking floods. Be sure to check online if your route is under repair, or will require a detour; if there is limited information, call your local regional tourist office to check if there are any roadworks to avoid.

One of the best ways to keep your road trip budget-friendly is to stay longer in one place. While many people are used to ticking the box on every town along the way, one of the biggest post-COVID-19 travel trends continues to be selecting one town to stay in, and using it as a satellite base to explore the region. Not only is it more sustainable, but by staying longer in one place you’ll cut your fuel consumption, reduce wear and tear on your car, and also support local communities.
Looking for eco-friendly accommodation ideas? Read our story here.

The old adage is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Getting your car serviced before you head out on a road trip might sound costly, but if you break down on the road, you’ll face a number of financial challenges: the cost of towing, time spent waiting for spare parts, and the unfortunate reality that in 2023 most spare parts are on back-order due to supply chain issues – even for the most popular car models. A simple service can save you from getting stranded, and your mechanic should be able to flag any work that needs to be done before you head out on the road.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}