Travelling on a budget in the USA: 13 ways to save money in 2027

A road trip in the USA is a dream for many, but with flights, car hire, accommodation, and activities, the costs can quickly add up.

To travel to the USA more affordably without compromising the experience, a few well-thought-out choices can make a real difference.

Here are 13 practical tips to save money on your next trip, so you won't have to eat pasta for a month when you get back.

1. Book your trip 6 months in advance

For a road trip in the USA, we recommend booking around 6 months ahead to get good rates and the widest choice.

In very popular destinations, availability decreases quickly, especially near major national parks. And when the best spots go, it's often the more expensive options that are left.

Booking several months in advance usually means you can:

• secure better prices
• have more options for accommodation and vehicles
• plan a smoother itinerary, without being restricted by what's left

👉 In a nutshell: The sooner you book, the more choice you'll have – and the better your chances of sticking to your budget.

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2. Travel to the USA at the right time of year

To save money on your trip to the USA, try to avoid the busiest times. July and August are generally the most expensive months, along with school holidays, Christmas, and Spring Break in some destinations.

To save money, aim for shoulder seasons, depending on the region you're visiting:

• American West: May, June, September, and early October
• Northeast: May, June, and September
• Florida: Opt for winter and spring, outside of school holidays and Spring Break
• Louisiana: March to May and October to November

👉 In a nutshell: Avoid the very peak season if possible and choose your dates based on the region you're visiting.

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3. Find the best prices for your flights

Flights often make up a significant portion of a USA trip budget. There's no magic formula here: compare prices and be flexible with your dates.

A few things to consider:

• compare flights for several dates
• look at all possible arrival and departure airports
• check what's actually included in the fare, especially baggage
• compare the price of a return flight with a multi-destination itinerary

👉 In a nutshell: Don't just look for the cheapest flight; look for the one that best suits your road trip.

4. Choose your hire car wisely

In the USA, it's tempting to hire a big SUV to live out that big-screen road trip dream. But a larger vehicle means higher rental costs and more fuel consumption.

So, choose your category based on your actual needs:

• a compact car or an intermediate size is sufficient for many road trips
• a more spacious vehicle might be better for a family and their luggage
• compare fees if you're dropping the car off in a different city
• in cities, check parking prices before keeping your vehicle for several days

👉 In a nutshell: Choose the right car for your itinerary and group, not necessarily the biggest one. Savings come from both the hire cost and at the pump.

Find your hire car at the best price:

5. Take advantage of a favourable exchange rate between the pound and the US dollar

The exchange rate can make a real difference to the final cost of your trip to the USA.

At the time of writing, £1 is worth around US$1.35. In other words, £1,000 is roughly equivalent to US$1,352. Exchange rates are constantly changing, so it's worth keeping an eye on them in the months leading up to your trip.

The stronger the pound is against the US dollar, the further your money will go while you're there, particularly when paying for:

• accommodation
• car hire
• restaurants
• fuel
• activities

You can easily track the GBP/USD exchange rate using tools such as XE or Wise. It's also worth checking whether your bank charges fees for payments in foreign currencies.

👉 In a nutshell: It's a simple figure worth keeping an eye on before you book. The stronger the pound is against the US dollar, the further your travel budget will stretch.

6. Save money on your accommodation

Accommodation can quickly become one of the biggest expenses on a road trip in the USA, especially near national parks and in major cities.

To cut costs, don't always aim to stay right next to the main attractions. Moving just a few miles away can sometimes significantly reduce the price per night, without disrupting your itinerary.

A few simple ideas:

• compare accommodation in nearby towns
• opt for motels on some legs of your journey where you're only passing through
• look for accommodation with parking and breakfast included
• always check additional fees before booking

👉 In a nutshell: Compare the total price, not just the room rate. Parking, taxes, and other charges can quickly change the overall cost.

7. Travel in an RV to combine several expenses

For some itineraries, an RV can be an interesting option for managing your budget. You combine your vehicle, accommodation, and kitchen into one space, which can help reduce restaurant expenses.

However, you need to compare the total cost with a car + hotel option. Remember to include:

• RV hire
• fuel
• campsite fees
• any mileage charges
• meals you can prepare yourself

An RV becomes particularly appealing when you want to spend a lot of time in wide-open spaces and limit hotel nights in cities.

👉 In a nutshell: Always compare the total cost of an RV with that of a car and hotels. Depending on your itinerary, an RV can allow you to combine several expense categories.

8. Should you buy an America the Beautiful pass?

If your road trip includes several national parks, an America the Beautiful pass can save you hundreds of dollars.

Since 2026, the pass costs $250 US for non-resident travellers and covers national park access for 12 months for everyone in the same vehicle.

It's become even more valuable since the introduction of an additional $100 US per person charge, on top of the vehicle entry fee, for foreign visitors to 11 very popular parks, including:

• Grand Canyon
• Bryce Canyon
• Zion
• Yosemite
• Yellowstone
• Grand Teton
• Sequoia & Kings Canyon

This extra charge doesn't apply to valid annual pass holders. As a result, the pass can be very cost-effective, especially for couples or families.

👉 In summary: If your itinerary includes at least two major national parks affected by the $100 supplement, do the maths: the $250 pass could pay for itself very quickly.

9. Enjoy free activities

In the United States, you don't need to get your credit card out at every turn to be wowed. Many unmissable experiences are free, and some will likely become your favourite memories.

Depending on your itinerary, you could enjoy:

• walks and viewpoints with free access
• public beaches
• iconic neighbourhoods to explore on foot
• local markets and events
• museums offering free entry on certain days or during specific hours

The idea isn't to cut out paid activities, but to alternate them with free experiences to save your budget for the ones that truly matter.

👉 In summary: Find a few free activities at each stop and save your budget for those unique experiences you can only have in the USA.

10. Eat smart on your road trip

Eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner can quickly inflate your budget, especially with taxes and tips added to the bill.

To cut costs, alternate between restaurants and preparing your own meals. A trip to the supermarket lets you stock up on fruit, snacks, drinks, and ingredients for a few picnics on the road.

Some simple tips:

• choose accommodation with breakfast included
• keep a cooler in the car
• prepare your lunches for days spent in the parks
• save restaurants for places that are truly worth the splurge

👉 In summary: Plan a shopping trip at the start of your road trip and mix picnics with restaurant meals to easily reduce your food budget.

11. Travel light to reduce luggage fees

On some flights to the United States, checked luggage isn't included in the cheapest fares. For a family, adding a suitcase per person for both outbound and return journeys can quickly add up.

There's no need to pack your entire wardrobe either. For a two-week road trip, plan clothes for a few days and do a wash part-way through. Many hotels, motels, and campsites have laundry facilities.

Some helpful habits:

• check included baggage before buying your tickets
• share suitcases where possible
• plan a laundry stop mid-trip
• leave a little room for souvenirs on the way back

👉 In summary: Check the actual price of luggage before booking your flight and limit the number of checked bags where possible.

12. Choose the right mobile plan for the USA

Using your usual mobile plan in the United States without checking the terms could lead to an unpleasant surprise when you get home.

Before you go, compare options for getting internet on your phone in the USA. Depending on the length of your trip and your usage, several options are available:

• an eSIM, easy to install before you leave
• a US prepaid SIM card
• a USA option offered by your provider
• a pocket WiFi, particularly handy for a family or group

For a road trip, an eSIM is often a practical solution: you buy it before you go and can be connected as soon as you arrive, without needing to find a shop once there.

👉 In summary: Compare your current plan with the price of an eSIM or local SIM before you leave. A few minutes of checking could save you from a hefty bill.

13. Look out for deals before booking

A little patience can sometimes save you money. Throughout the year, promotions might be offered on certain road trips, vehicles, or accommodation in the United States.

To make sure you don't miss out, sign up for the Authentik USA newsletter. That's where we share our offers, as well as our best tips and inspiration for planning your next American adventure.

👉 In summary: Keeping an eye on offers can help you cut costs without changing your plans.

Travelling for less in the USA doesn't mean going without. It's really about knowing where to save so you can make the most of your trip. So, save your dollars for what truly matters: a sunset over the Grand Canyon, a night out in Las Vegas, or that famous oversized burger you swore you wouldn't order. Time to hit the road! Mélaine, Marketing Coordinator Linkedin

What are your top money-saving tips? Feel free to share them in the comments below!