Road Trip Tips - Looking for cheap lodging? Check on campus : Most colleges and universities offer dorm rooms to rent for next to nothing to non-students during the summer. Or, if you don't mind conjugating verbs while on your European vacation, check into an independent language-immersion program. A week long-stay at a host home with classes can cost the equivalent of a night's stay at an upscale hotel.

Road Trip Tips - Have a road trip scavenger hunt : Planning a family road trip? To avoid hours of boredom, plan a "scenic scavenger hunt." It's easy. Just write down a list of 100 things you might see along the way, like landmarks, buses or bridges. It's just a game challenge.

Road Trip Tips - Pack toilet paper : Campers know this rule, but road trippers should follow it, too. Always bring a roll of toilet paper. It's good when you need to make an "emergency stop" if the next exit is too far away. It saves you problems at poorly stocked rest stops. Also, it's great for cleaning up those spills of giant sodas and coffees from a little road turbulence or heavy-duty laughter.

Road Trip Tips - Stop to read the historical markers : Sometimes the markers explain a point of geology. Sometimes they provide insight to the name of a highway or region or valley or mountain. We've found the sites of shoot-outs with Bonnie & Clyde, of stage coach routes and of unbelievable natural disasters, and through each one have felt a little more in touch with the journey.

Road Trip Tips - Bring an extra car key : Road trips can be some of the best vacations ever. Don't ruin yours by losing your car keys.