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Discovering Hidden Gems

Discount Travel Secret: The real numbers behind a big US road trip

Published about 1 month ago • 2 min read

Discount Travel Secrets

Hi Reader,

Are you following us on Facebook yet?

If not, come join us there, because that’s where we share everything first.

We post several times a day with blog posts, YouTube videos, memes, travel quotes, and all kinds of other travel content.

It’s a fun way to keep up with us in between emails.

Plus, we have something fun coming up for most of May, and it’s all going to be happening on the Facebook page.

🎢 🎟️ Attractions 🎢 🎟️

The Ultimate US Road Trip Itinerary

This is a good example of what Discount Travel Secrets is all about: seeing what a trip really costs and where the money goes.

In the full blog post, I break down more of the details behind these numbers and explain some of the choices that shaped them.

Here's the cost breakdown of our 52 day road trip around the entire US:

lodging: $1,039.10

gas: $991.03

parking/tolls/transportation: $300.12

souvenirs: $452.98

attractions/entertainment: $1,649.77

food: $3,417.92

other: $509.08

$8,360 for 52 days of traveling

= $160.76 per day

= $80.38 per person per day

🏨⛺️ Lodging 🏨 ⛺️

Castillo Inn at the Beach
(Santa Barbara, California)

This is the kind of stay that shows how discount travel secrets often work in real life.

Santa Barbara is not a cheap area, and on the weekend we needed to be there, prices were especially high because of an event.

Even the Motel 8 was going for over $250 a night.

But Santa Barbara has smaller inns that are really nice, even if the word “inn” makes them sound more basic.

We were able to stay somewhere that felt much nicer than a basic motel, but for about half the cost, which is a huge win in an area like this.

🍽️ Dining 🍽️

10 Best Drinks in Las Vegas

I have shared a lot of Vegas posts over the years because JP and I used to do weekend trips there all the time when we lived in Anaheim.

Since it was only about a four hour drive, it was an easy (and cheap) getaway for us.

And while Vegas is definitely known for over the top everything, it is also one of the best places to find drink deals.

Between happy hours and the people out on the Strip handing out coupons, it’s one of the few places where you can treat yourself to fun drinks without feeling like you have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to do it.

🚘 ✈️ Transportation 🚘 ✈️

Disney World Parking: The Complete Guide

From my other blog, Mouse Transportation Tips, which is all about helping you navigate Disney World:

Parking at Disney World can get expensive if you don't know how it works, so this post walks through the main things you need to know ahead of time.

It also covers a few ways to save money on parking, but not like "park at Disney Springs for free & take 10 forms of transportation to get to the parks" types of scamming the system.

It’s just a practical guide to understanding your options and knowing when you may not have to pay full price.

See you next week,

Eva and JP 💎

P.S. Ready to plan your next trip?

Find some of our favorite travel-related resources below.
Using our affiliate links won't increase your costs in anyway, but it will earn us a small token of gratitude from the company for directing you their way.

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Car Rentals

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Flights

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Tours/Attractions

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Airport Transfers

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Discovering Hidden Gems

Eva & JP | US Couples Travel

We’re a married, age-gap couple with a passion for exploring the U.S., one road trip at a time! Our travels focus on national parks, scenic drives, and hidden gems, with detailed itineraries to help you plan your own adventures. While we cover destinations across the country, we have a special love for Southern California, Las Vegas, Florida, and our current home base—Dayton, Ohio.With a background in hospitality and tourism management (B.A. & M.S.) and experience in hotels, theme parks, guided vacation sales, and special events, we bring both industry expertise and firsthand travel experience to our content.Follow along as we uncover the best weekend getaways, off-the-beaten-path spots, and foodie finds across the U.S.!

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