Adventure doesn't need to be expensive.

by Scott Turner

People sometimes assume that to travel across America you need a pile of money, some kind of huge RV, or a suitcase full of platinum reward cards. I ask myself, “Scott, how can you afford this adventure?” And I always laugh a little, because the truth is...
Adventure doesn't need to be expensive.

Adventure doesn’t need to be expensive.

Not even close. Most of the best moments of my life didn’t cost anything at all. Sometimes they came from a $40 tank of gas, a cheap motel, a campfire, or just the decision to take the road that wasn’t on the itinerary. Traveling the continental United States doesn’t require a fortune. It just requires a willingness to go.

Let me explain what I mean. America Is One Giant Scenic Playground and Most of It Is Free. You can drive across entire states in this country without paying a dime in admission fees. Some of the most breathtaking views in the U.S. cost exactly zero dollars: National forests, scenic highways, rocky outcrops, lakeshores, mountain pull-offs, wildlife areas, and backroads that people forget exist.

Adventure isn’t expensive when the scenery is literally everywhere.

You Don’t Need Fancy Gear

You Just Need to Go

People see the drones and cameras and assume you need a studio worth of equipment to make trips meaningful. But long before I ever had camera gear or drones or a decent computer, I still had the desire to explore.

Here are some simple truths:

A smartphone camera today is better than the gear I used a decade ago. A simple backpack can work just as well as a high-end travel bag. Cheap, well-made hiking shoes still walk the same miles as an expensive pair. A $20 tripod can capture great memories as if it were a $200 tripod.

Adventure has never relied solely on equipment. I believe it relies primarily on curiosity and the desire to experience life first hand. So you have some great gear. Good for you. If not? You’re still as capable of having one heck of a cool trip.

Some of the Best Overnight Stays Are the Cheapest

I’m not anti-hotel. I love a comfortable night’s sleep after a long drive. But here’s what I’ve learned... You don’t need fancy. You need safe, clean, and friendly. I’ve stayed in Tiny roadside motels, $60 Budget inns, Cabins, Small-town motor lodges, and of course campgrounds, some of which are practically free. And guess what? Those stays became part of the story. The owners, the new friendships, the conversations, the quirky decorations. Adventure doesn’t care what the room looks like. It only cares whether you’re rested enough to keep going tomorrow.

Gas Is Often Your Biggest Expense and That’s Okay

Driving across the U.S. means you’ll spend money on fuel. There’s no way around that. But here’s the important thing, fuel buys you freedom.

A tank of gas, or a full electric charge, is the magic ticket that lets you: Watch the landscapes change by the hour. Skip the tourist traps. Follow whatever catches your eye. Stop whenever you want. Explore places air travelers never see.

When I fill up the buggy, I think of it as buying miles, stories, memories, and landscapes. It’s the cheapest magic carpet ride I own. Not to ignore the fact that you need to have a roadworthy vehicle. And yes, a full pre-trip inspection by a qualified mechanic. I try to keep my old buggy mechanically sound year-round, ready for the next adventure.

Food Doesn’t Need to Be Expensive to Be Good

Listen, I love a good restaurant just like anybody else. But some of the best eats I’ve had on the road were: Warmed up precooked Speedie chicken legs. A $7 bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich at a local bakery. A ham and cheese road sandwich eaten at a random pull off. A camp stove hotdog and a bowl of coleslaw. Gas station coffee and cheese crackers. Food is part of the adventure, not a budget breaker. And something wild happens when you’ve driven all day, even simple meals taste like the world’s finest cuisine.

The Most Memorable Moments Are Usually Free

When I think back on past journeys, the moments that stick with me seem to be those that didn’t cost much money...

The sunset on the Saint Lawrence seaway that stopped me in my tracks. The Laramie mountain range I didn’t expect to see. A dramatic rainstorm in Kansas. A conversation around the campfire at the Finger Lakes. A quiet morning in the Rocky Mountains when the whole world felt calm.

None of that required a fortune. Just time. And a willingness to be there.

Adventure Isn’t About Money, It’s About Mindset

This is the heart of it: You don’t need to be wealthy to be adventurous. You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t even need a lot of free time. You just need: Curiosity. Flexibility. A willingness to explore. A sense of humor. And the ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Some of the richest experiences in life cost nothing but the courage to show up.

Adventure is out there

... in every state, every backroad, every small town, every overlook, and every mile of open road.

I’ll see you there!

Adventure doesn't need to be expensive.