I know it is summer, and most people are enjoying or about to enjoy their summer vacation.
Most people take only 1-2 vacations a year though.
What about the rest of the summer or year?
You can stay at home and watch tv, or you can travel more.
Most people say they want to travel more.
It is not as hard or as expensive as most people think.
In between your bigger vacations, the day trip is a way to travel more with less time and money.
With high prices this summer, a day trip may even be a way to travel at all for those who refuse to pay high prices.
Here are times when you should take a day trip, whether during a busy summer season or the rest of the year.
What is a day trip?
A day trip is a road trip with no overnight stay.
As you can see, this allows you to save money on one of the biggest expenses of travel: logging.
I love hotels and stay at them often, but this is one of the biggest expenses of travel besides airfare.
Not including food, you could just pay the price of a tank of gas for a day trip.
On my last day trip in my own state, I spent $20 on gas (before gas prices went up).
Day trips are meant for places a couple hours away (like a maximum of 4 hours though I prefer closer than that).
The distance depends on how much driving you can do.
This usually includes places in your state or nearby states again.
For instance, if you live in New York City, good day trips could include:
- Philadelphia
- Atlantic City
- The Hamptons
- Albany, N.Y.
I currently live in the Huntsville, Alabama area.
I may move later.
I also lived in New York City for almost a decade.
I used New York City as an example because a lot of my friends live there.
If you need more than a day trip, I suggest the overnight road trip.
I like to keep my road trips to overnight to not spend a lot of money or points on road trips, so I can have more money or points for bigger international trips.
Whether day trips or normal road trips, you want to save your points and money for bigger international travel.
Road trips are meant to be quick and cheap (if not free).
You could spend as much on a road trip as an international trip.
You don’t want to do that, whether in money or points.
So, this includes your state or nearby states.
When Should You Take a Day Trip?
Now that I explained what a day trip is, when should you take one?
Here are the best times.
1. When your big trips are not near
Let’s say you have a two week vacation in July, but nothing in August.
Again, most people only take 1-2 vacations a year.
If you have nothing planned in August, maybe it would be good to take a day trip (or a regular road trip).
Day trips are not your big vacations again.
They are quick trips in between your bigger trips.
2. When you have nothing to do on a weekend
Bored this weekend?
Don’t sit at home and watch television.
A day trip in your state could be a quick getaway.
I toured a popular section an hour away in my own state recently.
Since it was new to me, it was fun.
To find top attractions in your state, google “best things to do in “your state.”
You can even order free state guides.
Just google “free state guide,” and put whatever state in that phrase.
Here is more information on exploring your own state.
Since I became a blogger, I explore more places in my own state.
It is a lot of fun.
Most places were overlooked in the past.
You will be surprised how fun this can be.
3. When you are low on funds and want to stay on a budget
As mentioned earlier, attractions in your state can be an hour away (two hours round trip).
This will be just a tank of gas (or half a tank) again.
I know that gas prices are crazy now, but this is still cheap.
Most major cities are a little over an hour away from at least one major city, so you can hit the big city too.
Philadelphia is an hour away from New York.
Baltimore is 45 minutes from D.C.
4. When you want to try a new place
One of my day trips was to the famous Fame studio.
This is the day trip I mentioned earlier
I live an hour away and had never been there.
I enjoyed exploring this area again.
My Past Day Trips
I just did a day trip to Nashville, Tennessee.
I took my mom who is not familiar with Nashville.
I showed her the sights.
Like I said, I think most people live within driving distance of a major city (or again a different major city if you live in a major city).
Since Nashville is only an hour and a half away, I do this one often.
I always have fun and learn something new.
Earlier, I mentioned I did a trip to the Shoals area of Alabama where the famous Fame studio is.
I had so much fun.
Imagine, I had never been to a big attraction in my own state when I live an hour away again.
I have an excuse.
I lived in other places.
I think most people ignore places in their own backyard though.
Most People Can Travel More Than They Think
Most people think travel is complicated and expensive.
This is not true.
Even without a stash of points, you can be out exploring your state or a new city for just the price of a tank of gas.
Most people say they wish they could travel more and often.
Something as simple as a day trip can get you traveling more.
These are meant to be in between your bigger trips like a two week trip to Europe (all free on points of course).
As usual, most people should be out exploring the world and traveling internationally.
It is a shame that most Americans don’t travel abroad and only 40% have a passport.
I know a points audience is different than the average American.
Summary
Instead of watching television on a weekend in between your big vacation, day trips allow you to travel more for as little as a tank of gas.
Remember, road trips and domestic flights will help you travel more in general too.
Why should you be sitting in your house, when you can be out exploring a new place?
Day trips won’t be your big vacations but are a lot of fun, and will still create memories.
Most people can travel more than they think.
Day trips are one of many ways to travel more.
With everything getting crazy in terms of money, maybe a day trip will give you a quick break.
if this post was useful as usual, share it on social media below.
I hope everyone is out traveling more.
