How to Eat Cheap on Vacation
A Note About Prices and Portions
We’ve linked to real products throughout this guide. You can click and see exactly what we’re talking about and the actual prices. No guessing.
The prices we list are based on one adult serving. Some include extra servings because one packet of oatmeal or one granola bar might not fill up an adult. We wanted to show you what it really costs to feel full, not just what the package says is one serving.
Keep in mind that every family eats differently. Your teenager might eat three servings while your toddler eats half. Use our prices as a starting point and adjust for your own family’s needs.
Food costs add up fast when you travel. A family of four can easily spend $200 per day eating out. That’s $2,800 for a two-week trip!
The good news? You can eat well for much less. This guide shows you cheap breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack ideas. These work for any trip length. They work whether you stay in a hotel, camp, or travel in your car.
Most of these meals cost $2-5 per person. Some cost even less. You’ll save hundreds of dollars and still eat good food.
Cheap and Easy Breakfast Ideas for Vacation
Breakfast is the easiest meal to keep cheap. If your hotel has free breakfast, eat there. That’s always the cheapest option. But if you don’t have free breakfast or want other choices, these options are simple and filling.
Fruit and Granola Bars – Grab and go. Costs about $2 per person. Keep these in your car or bag.
Oatmeal – Just need hot water. Very filling for about 25-50 cents depending on how many packets you eat.
Cereal and Milk – Buy a box of cereal and a quart of milk. Or buy the assorted small boxes so everyone gets to pick their favorite each day. Eat it in your hotel room. Costs less than $1.50 per person.
Yogurt and Fruit – Greek yogurt keeps you full longer. Add fresh fruit or berries. Less than $1 per person.
Doughnuts – Not the healthiest but kids love them. Less than 50 cents a person.
Yogurt and Granola – Mix granola into yogurt for extra crunch. More filling than yogurt alone. About $1 per person.
Muffins – Buy a pack from the grocery store. Way cheaper than a bakery. About $1 per muffin.
Apple and Peanut Butter – Simple and healthy. Apples travel well. Peanut butter gives you protein. Cost is about $1.50.
Protein Drinks – Great for people who don’t like breakfast. Easy to drink in the car. Costs $3-$4 each.
Pop Tarts – Kids love these. No prep needed. About $1 a pack. Off brand good reviews 32 cents per pack.
Fig Bars – A bit healthier than Pop Tarts. Still sweet enough to feel like a treat. About $1.50 if you eat 2 packs.
Cereal Bars – Easy to eat while driving. Lots of flavors to choose from. A little over $1 each.
Soft Breakfast Croissants – Find these in the bakery section. Feels fancy costs a little more than $1 each.
Overnight Oats – Make these the night before in your hotel room. Just add milk and put in the mini fridge. Ready to eat in the morning. About $5 with the milk included. A good quality breakfast option.
Pastry Crisps – Good for light eaters. Two packs are less than 50 cents. Lighter than regular pastries and easy to share.
Cheap and Easy Road Trip Snacks
Snacks help you avoid expensive rest stop food. Pack these in a cooler or bag.
Trail Mix – Buy the big bags and split into smaller containers or make your own. Gives you energy. Costs less than $1 per serving.
Beef Jerky – High protein snack. Keeps you full between meals. Buy the individual packs instead of big bags. Big bags go bad fast in a hot car. Individual packs stay fresh and you can throw them in your purse or day bag. About $2.
Fresh Fruit – Apples, oranges, and bananas travel well. They don’t need to stay cold. Very cheap.
Honey Wafers – They come individually wrapped so they’re perfect for throwing in a bag. Give you a quick energy boost without being too heavy. About $2 a pack.
Mixed Nuts – Filling and healthy. About $1 for 2 packs.
Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers – The pre-made packs are perfect for road trips. Less than 50 cents a pack.
Goldfish Crackers – Kids love these. Less than 50 cents a pack.
Baby Carrots – Crunchy and healthy. The carrots alone cost less than 50 cents. Add ranch dressing for a treat (about $1 total). Making your own ranch cups at home saves even more money.
Puppy Chow – Make this at home before your trip. It’s just Chex cereal with chocolate and peanut butter. Kids go crazy for it. Cost is $4 a bag.
String Cheese – Great protein snack. Keep in a cooler with ice packs. Less than 50 cents per stick.
Fruit Snacks – Let’s be honest, kids love these. Less than 50 cents a pack.
Rice Krispie Treats – Make your own or buy the pre-made ones. Sweet but not messy. Less than 50 cents per treat.
Popcorn – Buy the pre-popped bags. Takes up space costs less than 50 cents a bag.
Apples with Caramel Dipping Sauce – Feels like a special treat. Most stores sell the caramel cups in the produce section.
Banana or Zucchini Bread – Bake a loaf before your trip. Slice it and wrap each piece. Feels homemade because it is.
Celery and Peanut Butter – Classic combo. The crunch is satisfying. Under $2 per 4 celery sticks.
Granola Bars – So many flavors to choose from. Less than $1 per bar.
Pretzels – Salty and crunchy. Individual bags cost just over 50 cents. Even cheaper if you buy a big bag and divide it up yourself.
Cheap and Easy Lunch Ideas for Road Trips
Lunch is tricky because you’re usually out doing things. These travel well.
Sandwiches – Turkey, ham, or peanut butter and jelly. Add chips on the side. Make them in your hotel room each morning. Costs 75 cents to $2.
Green Salad – Buy bagged salad and add rotisserie chicken. Get a small bottle of dressing and keep it in your cooler. Filling and healthy. A salad is a little over $3 per serving.
Summer Sausage, Cheese, and Crackers – No cooking needed. Feels like a picnic. Less than $1 per serving.
Chicken Salad and Sun Chips – Trust me on the Sun Chips. They’re the perfect side for chicken salad. Buy pre-made chicken salad or make your own. Less than $2 a serving.
Tuna Salad – Mix canned tuna with mayo and relish. Eat with crackers . Less than $1.50 a serving.
Hummus and Veggies – carrots and celery. Dip in hummus. Healthy and filling. Less than $1 per serving.
Pinwheels – Roll up deli meat and cheese in a tortilla. Slice into circles. Easier to eat than sandwiches in the car. Less than $1.50 a serving.
BLTs and Pasta Salad – Make BLT (precooked bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, bread) sandwiches and buy pre-made pasta salad from the deli. Simple but good. Under $2 per serving.
Cheap and Easy Dinner Options for Road Trips
Dinner is the hardest meal to keep cheap. Here are options for different setups.
No-Cook Dinners (No Kitchen Needed)
These work when you don’t have access to a stove or microwave.
Rotisserie Chicken and Hawaiian Rolls – Buy a whole cooked chicken from the grocery store. Add soft roll a side salad and veggies with dip. This feeds 4 people for about $14 ($3.50 per serving).
Summer Sausage, Cheese, and Crackers – Same as lunch but make it bigger. Add some fruit and veggies to fill it out. Less than $2 per serving.
Pre-Made Sandwiches from the Deli – Most grocery stores have a deli section with ready-made sandwiches. Way cheaper than fast food. $5 and up per person.
Microwave Dinners (Hotel Room Friendly)
Most hotels have microwaves. These options make real dinners possible.
Chicken, Potatoes, and Vegetables – Buy Hormel Square Table roasted chicken breasts. Add Bob Evans mashed potatoes. Steam frozen vegetables in the microwave. This is a real meal for less than $4 per person.
Beef Tips and Gravy – Hormel makes these in microwave trays. Serve over mashed potatoes. Add a canned vegetable. Just over $4 per person.
Loaded Chicken and Potato Bowl – Layer mashed potatoes, corn, popcorn chicken, shredded cheese, and gravy in a bowl. Microwave everything and layer it up. Tastes like fast food but costs a little over $3 per person.
Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce – Another Hormel option. Pair with instant mashed potatoes and canned green beans. Comfort food in a hotel room. Less than $2.50 per person.
Rotisserie Chicken Dinner – Get a whole cooked chicken from the deli. Pair it with Stove Top stuffing (just add hot water and butter) and a steamed or canned vegetable. Feels like a home-cooked meal. Less than $3 per person.
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake – Stouffer’s makes this frozen. Just microwave and eat. Less than $4 per person.
Scalloped Potatoes with Ham – Marie Callender’s frozen meal. Very filling. Tastes homemade. Just over $3 with 2 people splitting the package.
Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa – Buy the pre-made mac and cheese from the refrigerated section. Just microwave and add sliced kielbasa sausage. Filling and easy. Less than $2 per person.
Burritos – Frozen burritos are cheap and filling. Less than $1 per burrito.
Chicken Tenders – Frozen chicken tenders microwave in minutes. Add a bag of steamed vegetables. Dip in honey mustard. Just over $3 per person.
Pizza Rolls – Not fancy but kids love them.
Soup and Crackers – Canned soup is cheap and warm. Get the chunky kinds with meat and vegetables. Very comforting after a long day. Just over $2 per person.
Single-Serve Hamburger Helper – These microwave cups are perfect for one person. Easy and filling. Just over $2.
Grilled Dinners (Campground or Portable Grill)
If you’re camping or have access to a grill at a park, these options are great.
Grilled Chicken Breasts and Green Beans – Simple and healthy. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill the green beans in a foil packet. Costs a little over $4 per person.
Grilled Steak and Potatoes – Wrap potatoes and green beans in foil packets. Grill them alongside your steaks. About $10 per person depending on price of steaks.
Chicken and Veggie Skewers – Thread chicken chunks and vegetables on skewers. Grill them all at once. Fun and easy. less than $3 per person.
Hobo Packs – Put kielbasa sausage and chopped vegetables in foil packets. Season and seal tight. Cook on the grill for 20 minutes. Everything cooks together. Less than $4 per person.
Fresh Fish – If you’re near water, buy fresh fish from a local market. Grill it right away. Even better if you catch it yourself. Hard to give a price on this one.
BBQ Chicken Breasts – Grill chicken and brush with BBQ sauce. Simple but delicious. Add corn on the cob and a cold salad. About $4 per person.
Quesadillas – Make these on a grill. Just cheese and tortillas. Add chicken if you want. Just under $5 per person.
Hot Dogs , Brats, or Burgers – Classic grill food. Serve with chips or a cold salad like macaroni salad. All options should be under $5 per person.
Money-Saving Tips for Road Trip Meals
Paper Plates or Real Dishes?
You can use paper plates and bowls with plastic spoons and forks. This saves you from washing dishes. Just throw everything away.
Or you can get a reusable picnic basket with real plates and silverware. This costs more up front but saves money over time. Just don’t forget the dish soap for cleaning up.
Shop at Grocery Stores – Don’t buy food at gas stations. Prices are way higher. Find a grocery store instead.
Bring a Cooler – A good cooler with ice keeps food cold for days. This opens up way more food options.
Buy in Bulk – If you’re traveling with family, buy the big packages. The cost per serving is much less.
Pack Breakfast and Lunch – These are the easiest meals to handle yourself. Save eating out for dinner if you want a treat.
Use Hotel Amenities – Take advantage of mini fridges and microwaves. Some hotels have free breakfast too.
Reuse Containers – Bring reusable containers from home. Use them to store leftovers or pack lunches.
Skip Drinks – Drinks at restaurants cost $3-4 each. That’s $12-16 for a family of four. Bring your own water bottles.
Make a Meal Plan – Before you leave, plan what you’ll eat each day. Buy what you need. This stops impulse buying.
Final Thoughts
Eating cheap on vacation doesn’t mean eating bad food. It means being smart about where you spend your money.
Why pay $15 for breakfast at a restaurant when you can eat just as well for $2? That saved money adds up to extra activities, better hotels, or even another trip later.
Most of these meals take less than 10 minutes to prepare. You’ll save money and have more to spend on activities and memories.
Whether you’re gone for a weekend or two weeks, these ideas will help you eat well without breaking the bank.
Happy travels and happy eating!
Optional Car Cooking Appliances for Road Trips
You don’t need any of these to use the meal ideas above. But if you want even more cooking options, these car accessories might help.
These tools plug into your 12-volt outlet (cigarette lighter). They’re not necessary but they open up more meal possibilities.
RoadPro 12V Portable Car Stove – This is a small oven that plugs into your car. You can warm up canned meals or cook simple dishes while you drive. Perfect for road trippers who want hot meals without stopping.
RoadPro 12V Portable Frying Pan – A small pan with a non-stick surface. Plugs into your car outlet. Great for cooking eggs, grilled cheese, or heating up leftovers.
RoadPro 12V Slow Cooker (1.5 Quart) – Put ingredients in before you start driving. Dinner cooks while you travel. Works great for soups, chili, or pulled pork sandwiches.
NOCO Boost GB40 Jump Starter – Not for cooking, but smart to have. This portable jump starter means you never get stranded with a dead battery. It’s a battery pack that also charges your phone. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
These tools are extras. You can eat cheap without them. But if you travel a lot or live on the road, they might be worth it.
