If you're planning a road trip this summer, no matter where you're going, you'll probably want to do it as cheaply as possible.

The thing is, though, with petrol prices and the overall cost of running a car rocketing, how could you save money on your road trip?

Invite your friends

Firstly, don't go on your own - as this can really add to the costs. Instead, invite your friends… not only will you save money by sharing costs but you can also share the driving responsibilities!

Make a rough plan

Before you go, it's important to make a rough plan of where you're thinking of driving to. Although road trips can be pretty spontaneous, knowing where you're eventually heading to can help you budget - so you can make sure you set aside enough money to cover your trip.

If you think you'll be spending too much, you'll be glad you've seen this in advance, so you can just cut out part of your journey to save money.

To make sure you get the most out of your road trip (and any other trip you go on in the future), you could read some more tips and advice that may help you save money.

Car maintenance

Before and during your road trip, it's important to maintain your car to save money. So, you should regularly check your tyre pressures to make sure they're at the right level. You should also check your engine oil level, windscreen washer fluid, etc.

All these things can help keep your car running smoothly, helping you to cut out any unnecessary repair costs.

It might be a good idea to remove any excess weight from your car too - so take out anything you don't need and get rid of rubbish rather than carting it round with you.

Staying in accommodation?

If you're planning to stop overnight and pay for accommodation, make sure you get the cheapest rates. Hostels are usually cheaper than hotels, but if you can't find a hostel, keep an eye out for local bed and breakfast houses - plenty of them provide a nice personal service at a decent price.

You don't get if you don't ask

When you're travelling around and visiting new places, it often pays to be a little bit cheeky. So, if you stop off to buy something - try and haggle on the price or get something free thrown into the deal. Remember, you don't get if you don't ask!