Would this be possible? Food/Road Trip related

[TinknBellesMom]

We'd like to take a road trip this summer to visit my family in CO and Dh's grandmother (for her 100th birthday!) in WV. If we do, we'd have to stick to a food budget of about $600 for 2 weeks. Do you think this is possible?

Keeping in mind:
1. We're a family of 5, but my youngest would be 15 mos or so and eats off of Dh's and my plates.
2. We always stay in a hotel with a continental breakfast (Think Hampton Inn's, Marriots, etc.)
3. For at least 5 of these days will be eating with Dh's grandmother for a minimum one meal a day. But more likely, we would be eating lunch and dinner with her (or relatives) too, although we would provide the sandwiches or whatever for GMIL. We are always invited to have dinners at several of Dh's relatives and they insist on feeding us.
4. Sit down restaurants would likely only be once or twice on this trip. Frankly, it's just too much of a pain to do everyday with the kiddos.
5. When we go to places like Moe's or Panera Bread, we spend about $25 for all of us to eat. We're usually full and happy with that amount of food too.
6. We would use our grocery budget for snacks, drinks and water for the car/hotels.

In my head, it seems reasonable to spend about $30 per meal for 20 or so meals on this trip. But is it actually doable? WDYT?

 

[starry_solo]

Possible, is that how much you spend at home?

What about the meal for the birthday? Is it at a relative's home? Or at a restaurant?

 

[ckmommy]

On the car drive--stop at a walmart or supermarket instead of a restaurant and get a sub sandwich and fresh fruit that has been cut up--way cheaper than a restaurant meal.

 

[arthur06]

Pack a cooler and I would say EASILY possible. Just how good you eat is the question!

A couple loaves of bread, a couple of packages of lunch meat, peanut butter and jelly can go a LONG way for little money!

 

[VAfamily1998]

When we've been travelling and needed a budget meal, we've often looked to see if there is a nearby Costco and stop for a meal at their foodcourt. I think it's $1.50 for a hotdog and soda!

Also, if you're family likes bananas, they are a very inexpensive, filling, and convenient snack--no need to refridgerate, wash, etc.

 

[TinknBellesMom]

Starry - We spend b/w $150 and $200 a week for groceries. We buy as much organic as possible, but definitely all natural for the rest.

The birthday meal is going to be catered at Dh's aunt's church. FIL is paying for the catering/decorating/whatever. So we don't have to worry about dinner that day. And I would suspect, but won't count on, that we'd have dinners with at least 3 other of his relatives at their houses. We go down to WV once a year to visit and this is what typically happens.

Great ideas about the supermarket subs/fresh fruit/salad and the coolers. That's one thing that gets to me (and my stomach) on vacations is just how much junk we tend to eat. I don't know that we would eat sandwiches everyday, but several times a week would be great. Thanks!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think the only major budget buster would be if you go out a lot to restaurants with family members and do not have a lot of control over the type of restaurants you eat at, other wise, easy to do!

Buy things along as you see them on sale now. Our local grocery store had bottle water for 2.50 a case last week. Buy drinks, long storage snack foods etc as you find then.

Try to find a hotel with at least a microwave. This opens up the possibility of frozen meals (think nicer ones at Sams or Cosco's) if want.

Pack a full cooler. Ideas besides sandwiches: grilled chicken, salads, all types of fruit, raw veggies, chicken salad, etc.

We sometimes will pack chips and cookies and drinks and stop at a sub place for a fresh sandwich.

When you do eat out without other family members, try to cut cost. Order water, skip desserts and share plates as much as you can.

We did a budget beach trip last month and only ate two fast food meals out while we were on the road, no sit downs and were gone almost a week! We had a blast...just spent our money on fun instead of food!