Three family getaways for under $500

Want to take your family on vacation this summer, but don't have much extra cash? It's possible to take a fun trip without breaking the bank if you follow these two rules: Go local. Think creatively about accommodations.

How you get to your destination and where you sleep are typically the two biggest travel expenses so anything you can do to make a dent in those costs will pay off.

In this particular scenario, four people travelling for under $500, driving is your best option. And that's where finding a vacation spot not too far from home comes in, since fewer miles travelled translates into fewer trips to the gas station.

Driving is also one of the greenest ways for a family of four to travel. The only greener and cheaper option is to take the bus, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). And when you reach your destination, camping is the most obvious inexpensive way to go, but you have other options, such as staying at cool retro motels or swapping houses.

Below are ideas for one-week vacations (six nights, seven days). Here are a few details:

• The $500 budget covers transportation and lodging, but in a couple of cases you can add in food and still spend less than $500 if you're careful. 


• Figure that a 600-mile road trip will cost you around $100 in gas (assuming your car gets 20 miles-per-gallon and gas costs $3.50 a gallon). Use GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas around, and, if you're really organized, you can use the trip cost calculator before you leave to map out the most cost effective fill-up stations along your route. Drive at off-peak times, suggests Aaron Huertas at the UCS, because you can maximize your mpg by avoiding traffic jams. Get more gas-saving tips.

Get outside

There's a reason why national parks are so popular during the summer. These parks offer affordable ways to see some pretty spectacular terrain. Given that there are 391 national parks located in 49 states, you're likely to find one within a reasonable driving distance.

Park fees range from free to $25 per vehicle (learn about the two remaining admission-free weekends this summer or get info on special passes). Here are some inspiring road trip ideas if you'd like to visit multiple parks.

Accommodations: Pitch a tent. Plan on spending between $10 and $25 a night on a campsite. Camping gear can get pricey so borrow tents, sleeping bags, and other equipment from friends and neighbors if you don't already own it.

Or rent gear. Try out REI or Lowergear. A tent that's large enough to fit a family of four will run about $39 a week. Check with your local reuse group to see if anyone is giving away free gear, or search Craigslist and other classifieds to find used equipment that's for sale.

Roadside retro

Take a ride down historic Route 66 or other old highways (such as Highway 99 or the Lincoln Highway) to soak up some local history. Visit the old villages, bowling alleys, drive-in theaters, trading posts, and more. Along the way, you'll support mom-and-pop shops instead of big chain businesses.

Accommodations: Stay in retro motels. There are many to choose from, and you'll have fun deciding which stunning neon sign to pull up in front of. Choose one with a pool so you can cool down after a long day of sightseeing.

Prices range from around $40 to $110 a night (including taxes and fees). But there are plenty of options for rooms with two double beds that cost around $65 a night. Some example of budget-friendly motels located along Route 66: The Munger Moss Hotel (Missouri), Wigwam Hotel (Arizona), and Earl's Motor Court (Arizona).

Swap houses

Explore a nearby city. Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon, both landed on Treehugger's list of greenest cities in the world to visit. But really any city that is relatively close could be fun to explore. Park your car when you get there and bike, walk, or take public transportation around town.

Accommodations: To make this work on a tight budget, you'll have to be willing to swap houses -- lend yours out while you stay at someone else's place. You'll pay a membership fee of $44.95 to $99.95 to join the programs listed below for a year, but there are no other costs.

An added benefit of staying in a house instead of a hotel is that you'll be able to cook so you won't rack up big bills eating out at restaurants. Here are some popular home-swap websites: Digsville, HomeExchange.com, and HomeLink.

Another fun idea: Consider a volunteer vacation. You get to travel to a beautiful places and earn your stay by working on some good causes. The Daily Green highlights five relatively inexpensive but worthwhile options.  

What are your favorite affordable vacation ideas and tips?

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Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.