There’s nothing like the feeling of an impromptu road trip – the freedom, the exhilaration, and…the giant bills for unexpected purchases. It’s surprising how quickly all the expenses add up, from gas station snacks, to motel bills, to the 10th tank of gas in your buddy’s old station wagon. But with a little restraint and a lot of extra planning, it’s possible to explore the country on a fabulous road trip without coming home to a mile-high stack of bills.

The first, and really the only, essential of a road trip is a car. Pick carefully, because the car you choose will make or break your journey. The ideal car is one that:

A) Is reliable and in good condition – you don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere, racking up huge repair bills;

B) Gets good gas mileage – the Hummer may look cool, but at 8 miles/gallon, you’d better be planning a pretty short trip; and

C) Has enough space for both luggage and passengers – there’s nothing like riding 500 miles with your knees hunched up to your chin.

It might sound callous, but consider choosing the members of your travel party based on who has the best car for the trip. Of course, be nice when you ask to use the car and be understanding if your potential drive says no. But a group of four friends with nothing more than a motorcycle does not a road trip make…

If your trip lasts more than one day, you’ll also need lodging. One of the best ways to get free accommodations is to plan a trip around a visit to an old friend in a different state, especially if that friend is willing to let your party crash on the living room floor for a few nights. If you’re not so lucky, check around for hostels or guest homes (also known as boarding houses). Unfortunately, hostels are typically limited to larger cities, but you can find guest homes or bed and breakfasts almost everywhere. If you absolutely must stay in a hotel, choose a budget hotel and search the internet and the chain’s website for coupons or special discounts.

Once you’ve got the car and a room for the night, you’re next biggest concern will be food. You have to eat, but eating out for every meal can get expensive. Bring a cooler in your car and pack as much food as possible given the space in your car. Bring along bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, lunchmeat for sandwiches, drinks and plenty of car snacks (like chips, candy and granola bars) – all of which are cheaper at your local grocery store than they will be on the road. You can always stock up with more food (and ice) from grocery stores along the way.

Following these steps will save you lots of money on your road trip, but there are a few other things to think of. First, does your medical insurance cover care outside of your state? If you need emergency treatment on the road, don’t hesitate, but if a minor injury can wait until you can see your own doctor, you could save lots of money on medical bills. Also, bring a laptop and check your route for locations with free internet service. You’ll be able to check for coupons to area attractions and scope out the best prices on gas using sites like MSN's Local Gas Prices Site. Finally, have fun and enjoy your road trip. If you’ve planned well, you can rest assured that you’ll be saving money and still having a great time.