Plenty of tips for inexpensive fun.

• Position: Road Trips

Road-trippers everywhere are rejoicing in their ability to control costs as the airline industry continues to add fees. These days, everything from carry-on luggage to the privilege of herding your kids down the jetway before the masses will cost you some extra cash.

However, road trips can get pretty pricey, too, unless you strategize properly. Consider these money-saving tips from consumer specialist Andrea Woroch before embarking on your next cross-country adventure:

Plan ahead. Before hitting the road, research routes and destinations to make the most of your summer vacation. Map out places to visit and popular eateries and prebook your accommodations to avoid a no vacancy nightmare. Bring a map in case your GPS goes down.

Save on gas. Gas has dropped in price since the beginning of the year, but still is pretty expensive. Avoid the stress of hunting down the cheapest prices by using an app to navigate to the most inexpensive fuel available on any route. Also, consider using a credit card that provides travel points or cash back on gas purchases.

Get tuned. Have the tires checked and schedule a tune-up. This will help avoid breakdowns that could result in costly repairs with unfamiliar mechanics. There is nothing worse than cutting a road trip short because of a car repair that could have been prevented.

Save on dining out. Chain restaurants abound in roadside towns, making it easy to stop for a quick meal you know you like. Before your trip, find online gift cards at a discount.

Pack wisely. Avoid paying premium prices for trip essentials by packing what you need beforehand. Beach staples such as towels and sunscreen cost much more when purchased onsite, as do travel-related gadgets like phone chargers and camera batteries.

Make snacks. Pit stops are a road trip must, but loading...