Road Trips: Stock up on supplies at warehouse shopping clubs

By far the most expensive places to buy snacks and toiletries when traveling are the convenience stores attached to roadside gas stations. Try to buy groceries at discount department or grocery stores before you leave. Members of warehouse superstores, like Costco and Sam’s Club, can save a huge amount by stocking up on bulk foods and even toiletries at these places. Best bets include bottled water, crackers, cookies, chips, trail mix, sports bars, nuts, and breath mints, as well as aspirin and pain relievers, antacid tablets, laundry detergent, and film. These shopping clubs also usually have the cheapest gas prices around, and many are just off major interstates or along other well-traveled roads; before you hit the road, research the locations of some on your route.