Cross country move, thrifty?

[WyattsMommy09]

Ok, so here's the tentative plans

Next week we plan on heading out towards California, and with our plans it will take 6 days. We'll stop in Lousiana to sight-see for a day, and then do the same with New Mexico for a day. We plan on driving at LEAST 8 hours or so each day, because really, thats all the two munchkins will take. Then that gives us time to take a swim in the hotel pools, grab a nice dinner, and get settled into bed. If we drive past dinner time, we run the risk of the kids getting a super late nap, then they'll be up all night. >.<

What I want to do thrifty (or healthy, thrifty isn't that big of a deal, we'll be getting reimbursed for most, if not all and then some) is our food. I want to stay out of fast food and unhealthy junk. I'd LOVE to pack a cooler, but not sure how that will work without a trip to a grocery store every day and then throwing out what we don't use. I though PB&J would be great, but all the natural brands we buy say they must be refrigerated, and I don't want to run the risk of it getting hot, because I'm assuming thats not good for it. plus Jelly has to be kept cold. I could always fill up the cooler with ice at the hotels in the morning before we leave and at night time, but then i still run the risk of it all melting I think? Plus dh will definitely get sick of PB&J, and I try to eat only salads for lunches, especially if I can't get a run squeezed in that day.

Any ideas? or maybe meals that don't need to be heated up or refrigerated? Keep in mind, these meals need to be either filling OR we have to have a good amount of snacks (dh is a big eater, because of his high metabolism and low weight).

[EssentialGoodz]

We are in the same boat. We are moving from Missouri to Texas. The first day on the road I would like to bring a couple snacks for my girls to eat while in their carseats. Then we will have lunch when we reach our first destination along the way- we will bring food to cook or make easily. The second day on the road will be much shorter. Plan to eat breakfast, and then have a couple snacks for the road. We will get into town where we will be living around lunchtime.....so we will pick up something to eat and head back to our place to eat it. Then time to unpack the moving truck.

I'm so glad you posted here, because I really have not planned it out until now

Snacks for two days on the road:
Mozzerella cheese sticks ( refrigerated kind), Squeezable fruit pouches, club wheat crackers.
Squeezable fruit pouches, cheerios, waters

Lunch for day one destination:
Our own curry ramen, rolls, bananas or grilled pb&j-yummy!
Dinner for day one destination:
Staying with family. We'll eat what they eat. Might have to grab something at the store to help out with dinner.

Breakfast for day 2: cereal
Lunch for day 2, final destination (home):
Picking something up to eat.
Dinner for day 2: Spinach, blueberries, pecans, feta, and a Brianna's dressing for salad, and a pork tenderloin cause its easy to just season, bake and eat. Will have to pick up at the store with a few other essential groceries.

[EssentialGoodz]

You are so lucky to sight see!! we are just out of graduation so money is super tight. The company my husband is working for will pay for relocation, but through reimbursement on the first paycheck.

Quick meals on the go: tuna pouches, fruit, cheese can last a little while and crackers, pb&j, canned items- you could maybe do beans, rice, and cheese > precook the rice and bring it in a container> you could use tortilla chips and treat it like a dip or nachos... Add on some avacado Yum!

[MellieEwing]

Some hotels have a refrigerator in the rooms. I would think things would be fine in a cooler during the day time if they could be refrigerated during the nighttime. Otherwise, I know certain coolers can keep food cool for up to five days.

[COgle3]

Pasta salad, Mac n cheese, anything in mason jars that can freeze and thaw. You'll be surprised what will stay frozen in a cooler. I'd prob give some food a dry run before the trip!

[Rdesonia]

I've always traveled with a cooler... Food is always cold! (some stuff I keep in ziplock bags buried in ice.) I dump the water and refill the ice every morning before leaving the hotel. Also, I do continental Breakfasts. Most hotels offer them. Fill up the kids sippy cups with milk or juice for later.

[kalasin]

We are driving xcountry (literally coast to coast) for the 2nd time next week.


Use gasbuddy to find cheap gas even if you have sams/costco cards

Continental breakfasts- we usually load a large lunchbox with yogurt, fruit, bagels, and cereal boxes for later. No one has minded yet.

There is lots of free sightseeing . We have 5 stops planned that are all free. This country is beautiful & interesting!

[kannondicarpo]

We drove from Ohio to California in 6 days back in May. We did exactly what you are talking about. 8-10 hours a day and snacks and lunch out of the cooler.

Most of our trip was continental breakfast. Lunch from the grocery store (PB&J, cold cut sandwiches, fruit). Dinner at a restaurant.

It CAN be done. Ours all stayed cold with just a daily changing of ice.

If I think of any better advice Ill come back. I'm super tired.

[happiness]

We have traveled from KS to WA twice. I picked hotels that included a free breakfast, then we ate a large breakfast and a light lunch and snack. I would purchase the premade salads and sandwiches from the grocery store, healthier and cheaper than the fast food or sit down places. We would take our grocery store food and picnic somewhere.

I packed basics:
bottled water
juice
crackers
nuts
cereal bars
ham and musturd sandwiches for the first day.
fruit
pb jar

It was pretty easy to stop at the grocery store and pick up what we needed. We would buy yogert, meat and cheeses and just cut it up since the store had a deli/eat in section with paper plates, silverware etc.