4th of July vacation tips?

[Tacosrocket]

I'm driving 14 hours and then spending at least 3 nights in the cheapest motel I can find then driving back. Is there anything I can do besides bring as much food as possible and stay at the cheapest place? My goal is to spend $300 or less thanks!!

[YoungInvestor]

If you're alone, maybe you could look into taking the train or the plane? For a comparable 14-or-so-hours drive, I get a round-trip cost of 210$ by train.

Assuming 60 mph on average, your round-trip journey would be 1680 miles. If your cost per mile is > 12.5 cents (Which it likely is), you'd save a significant amount by train (And you'd be more comfortable during the trip. Make sure to bring a laptop, though).

[StashthatCash]

Depends where you are going too.  I just took a road trip to Washington D.C.  It was a great trip on the cheap since almost everything could be done for free.  Also I agree with taking the train vs driving.  Saves you from driving and will save a bunch of wear and tear on your car. 

[Tacosrocket]

Now a train sounds fun, sadly there's then no transportation afterword. (The people I'm going with and seeing and also I, are all in our early 20s and I'm the only one with money and a car) would it be cheaper? I've wanted to travel the country maybe train is the best way to do it. And all we plan to so is watch fireworks, nothing should cost money besides hotel and gas and food.

[FrugalZony]

How about offering a ride share to split the gas cost?
Find cheaper accomodation on priceline?
Hostel instead of Motel?

[surfhb]

Maybe try AirBnB? 

I'm spending 4 days in Seattle during the 4th.   After airfare and my room it's $380

[Tacosrocket]

I am going with someone but sadly, he doesn't have money so all the expenses are on me. I love the idea of a train ride :) if only there were a car after the train heh heh. I definitely want to do that now though, thanks guys. But yeah, what is a hostel? Motels were the cheapest thing as far as I knew. Thanks!

[DollarBill]

Check out uship.com to see if you can pick some things along the way

[mpg350]

Where are you going?

Well fireworks shows are free :)

If you have a friend going you can split the cost of the hotel.

[SingleMomDebt]

Maybe try AirBnB? 

I'm spending 4 days in Seattle during the 4th.   After airfare and my room it's $380

Dang, I need to try that with a trip to Portland. That's a great price! Have fun in Seattle.