Gas prices down, consumers consider affordable road tripping ideas

If you are dreaming about a last minute summer getaway vacation with the kids, but you have budget constraints holding you back -- think ROAD TRIP!

Airline fares and many hotel rates are still climbing higher and higher, but gas prices are slightly lower and that means families can get away on a road trip and still not break the budget.

Here are some things to consider:

Road tripping is easier than ever thanks to technology like GPS and rear seat DVD entertainment systems! No more trying to figure out how to survive being stuck in a car with bored children for hours on end.

And you can even get DVDs and CDs and books on tape and even video games at many public libraries for free.

Redbox DVDs cost only a buck a day and they can be picked up anyplace you find them and then returned when you get to another location.

Now, whether you have GPS or not--invest in a map and good directions. Getting lost leads to unhappy travelers and it wastes gas money and time.

Check out Maps.com for discounts this summer.

Consult online resources like Road Trip USA that can help you plan your travel itinerary. Road Trip America is a site that gives you a place to find cheap hotel rooms and great tours.

Before you hit the road, make sure you get your vehicle serviced.

You will want to get an oil change and a tune-up and you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of windshield wiper fluid and healthy tires.

Consider signing up for one of the auto clubs so you have emergency roadside assistance where ever you might break down.

The cost of a single tow is most likely going to be more than the annual dues. But before you sign up, check with your auto insurer.

Some insurers like Progressive or Geico offer emergency roadside assistance services that are even more affordable than the auto clubs.

However, sometimes being a member of an auto club like AAA means lots of travel-related discounts.

For instance, AAA members will save 20 percent this summer at Best Western Hotels .

There are lots of other bargains out there for road trippers.

Hampton Hotels by Hilton are offering 15 percent discount if you book by August 22nd and travel before September 5th. The rooms come with a free hot breakfast.

Extended Stay Hotels have a weekend discount and a kids-stay-free promotion.

The King’s Ranson Sedona Hotel offers packages that include tickets to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park . It is the next best thing to taking the kids on a safari!

They will see lions and tigers and camels and bears and even a giraffe or two.

The Out of Africa Wildlife park is only 90 minutes north of Phoenix and 30 minutes south of Sedona.

You can get $7-off coupons on their website.

Without spending a ton of cash, a well-planned road trip can really be a great getaway.

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