Traveling domestically can be a wonderful opportunity to discover what your own country has to offer. Whether you are traveling by car, bus or plane, there are ways to save money on lodging while you are traveling and after you reach your destination. If you are traveling on a budget, planning ahead is one of the best ways to save money on transportation, food and lodging expenses.

If you are traveling by car, consider staying in one of the hundreds of thousands of campgrounds that dot the country. These campgrounds are often set up for recreational vehicles, but most allow you to drive your car in and pitch a tent. Some of the campgrounds also offer cabins, but these will cost more than a camp site.

Although this is a pretty rustic way to travel, some of the campgrounds offer such amenities as cable TV and internet connections. One of the drawbacks to this kind of traveling is the weather. Camping is only feasible in certain parts of the country in certain times of the year, so plan your trip when the weather is most suitable to sleeping under the stars. You don’t want to plan to camp out in the northeast in January or February, but it would be nice to sleep under the stars in Arizona in the spring.

If camping is not up your alley, hotels and motels are your other option. Lodging of any type and cost is plentiful throughout the country, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a hotel or motel that fits your requirements. Remember that most hotels offer discounts to senior citizens, members of auto clubs, the military, and government employees.

The most inexpensive place to stay while traveling is with friends or family. Call your friends that you have meant to visit for years or your favorite relative that you haven’t seen since you were young and see if they would be willing to let you stay at their house for a night or two. That way you can catch up with long-lost friends and family and save money on your trip.