You know what is even better than a staycation if you want to change scenery but still want to save money? A classic road trip! While a full vacation can easily cost you thousands of dollars, and even a staycation can run into the hundreds depending on what you do, a simple road trip can give you that same feeling of getting away without the hefty price tag. I’m talking about driving perhaps 100 km or so each way to visit a new town, see a different attraction, try a restaurant, spend some time at a beach or park, or simply get out of your usual surroundings. You get a change of scenery, a little adventure and a break from the routine-all without having to book a hotel or board a plane.
One of my family’s favourite road trips, for example, is heading up toward Barrie, where we might spend some time at Centennial Beach before continuing toward Orillia for the infamous Weber’s burgers. It’s not exactly an exotic vacation, and we’re usually back home the same day, but that’s actually part of the appeal. There is something about getting in the car, leaving your usual surroundings behind and having somewhere to go that makes the day feel different. And because you’re not paying for flights, hotels and several days of meals away from home, the cost can be surprisingly reasonable. Depending on where you live, there are probably dozens of places within a 100-km radius that you’ve never visited or haven’t visited in years.
The key is to treat the road trip as a mini-vacation rather than simply a long drive. Pick a destination, find one or two things you want to see or do, pack some snacks or a lunch, and give yourself permission to enjoy the day. You don’t necessarily need an expensive attraction or elaborate itinerary; sometimes the change of scenery itself is the attraction. For anyone trying to balance enjoying life with staying on budget, these short road trips can be a great middle ground: more exciting than staying home, but dramatically cheaper than taking a traditional vacation.
