Don’t let high gas prices confine you to a stayvacation this 4th of July. Check out these great road trip ideas, all using less than one tank of gas!

I love a good road trip.

Sadly, the AAA is predicting a 2.6 percent decline in auto travel from last year, owing to the steep rise in fuel costs.

Wolfgangstaudt

But we can’t have this!

Wherever you are in the US, dust off your road map and check out these fantastic 4th of July road trips –  we guarantee you won’t use more than one tank of gas!*

All road trip destinations taken from Tripbase’s cool Road Trip Planner – give it a try for inspiring road trip ideas perfect for YOU!

New York City, New York

1. Nantucket, 4 hours
2. Vineyard Haven, 4 hours
3. Portsmouth, 5 hours

Los Angeles, California

4. La Jolla, 2 hours
5. Carlsbad, 2 hours
6. Rosarito, 3 hours

Chicago, Illinois

7. Madison, 2 hours
8. Sheboygan, 3 hours
9. Fond du Lac, 3 hours

Houston, Texas

10. New Braunfels, 3 hours
11. San Antonio, 4 hours
12. Fort Worth, 5 hours

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

13. Alexandria, 3 hours
14. Virginia Beach, 5 hours
15. Charlottesville, 5 hours

San Francisco, California

16. Monterey, 1 hour
17. Carmel, 2 hours
18. South Lake Tahoe, 3 hours

Boston, Massachusetts

19. Newport, 1 hour
20. Portland, 2 hours
21. Burlington, 4 hours

Jacksonville, Florida

22. Saint Augustine, 1 hour
23. Hilton Head Island, 3 hours
24. Clearwater, 4 hours

Got more great ideas for awesome US road-trips? Post up your comments below – we want to hear from you!

Coming up… the world’s most stunning lake vacations. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free blog updates via email or RSS below.

*Some of the destinations may not be accessible by car, and may require ferry or additional transportation.

If your yearly vacation’s hanging in the balance and the recession’s robbed you of any ounce of travel adventure – check out these budget travel destinations, all for under $100 a day!

I’m constantly dreaming of escaping to an exotic island paradise but my dreams are cruelly cut short when I consider the price tag.

From India to Peru; Malaysia to Russia – these exciting, recession-friendly vacations won’t break the bank.

You might even get away with spending as little as $12 a day!

Costs quoted are average daily costs for food and lodging only, based on a budget trip.*

1.    Jaipur, India $12

2.    Langkawi, Malaysia, $21

3.    Puno, Peru $25

4.    Krabi, Thailand $34

5.    Quito, Ecuador $34

6.    Dahab, Egypt $39

7.    Monastir, Tunisia $35

8.    Monte Gordo, Portugal $44

9.    Polis, Cyprus $57

10.  Budapest, Hungary $70

Been to any of these places? Got more recommendations for super-cheap vacations?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Got your traveling juices flowing? Try out our Destination Finder for loads more budget vacation ideas.

Coming up…. the world’s most over-priced cities! Don’t miss out, SIGN UP for free updates via RSS or email below.

Want to calculate daily travel costs in seconds? Check out our travel costs widget.

*Cost per day quote is an estimate based on the best information we have, actual costs may vary.

Photo: Langkawi, Malaysia by dmytrok.

Some truly great travel stuff hurtling through cyperspace this week….

10 Thai Customs to Know Before Visting Thailand @Brave New Traveler

9 Things to do with Kids in NYC @On the Go with Amy

Couchsurfing Around the World, Amazing!! @Fliptohead

Mouth Watering Food Photography @My Kugelhopf

Brand New Travel Blog from Apple Vacations @The Juice

Enjoy and Happy Travels!

Ever sniggered at a translation blunder on a sign or instruction manual? Check out these hilarious menu blunders that will make you think twice about what you’re eating…and the benefits of spell-check!

When traveling abroad, I always marvel at the many creative interpretations of the English language.

Though the effort to translate local specialties for tourists is no doubt a smart marketing move, the results might sometimes have the opposite effect…

1. Chocoholics Beware!

Room Service Menu at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China.

2. A Modest Selection

Restaurant in Saigon, Vietnam.

3. Made with Love and Effort…

Chinese flea market in Atlanta, Georgia.

4. Teach Your Poultry a Lesson!

Chinese menu.

5. Cannibalism on the Side?

Chinese menu

6. Vanilla Lovers: a Sacred Desert

Chinese menu

7. What’s My Dad Been up to?!

Menu found in Zhejiang, China

8. A Meal for the Militantly Healthy

Menu found in Shenzhen, China.

9. The Post-Breakup Dish

10. On a Second Thought, I’ll Choose the Merlot..

Got more hilarious translation blunders? Post up your comments below, we want a laugh!

Coming soon… street signs to put a smile on your face. Don’t miss out! Sign up for FREE updates via RSS or email below.

Photos by Engrish.com

Some of the best travel stuff floating around the blogosphere this week…

Top 10 Cities for Partying @Nomadic Matt

What to do if You Miss Your Flight @Elliott

The Complete Guide to Hitchhiking Scott Gilbertson @Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding

Eat, Pray, Love in Morocco Beebe Bahrami @Matator Trips

Family Road Trip Around Europe @Soul Travelers

Want to hit the road this summer??

Check out our road trip planner for loads of cool road trip ideas.