If high gas prices have put your plans for a summer vacation on the back burner, you're not alone. According to a new survey by MapQuest, pain at the pump is causing 66% of consumers to alter vacation plans ... While some are simply opting for destinations closer to home, over one-third say they've canceled vacation plans altogether.


Now the good news ... there are ways to spend a little less and make a little more out of your summer vacation. Whether you're setting out on a Fourth of July road trip or planning to take in attractions a little closer to home (a.k.a., a "staycation") ... A few tips and a handful of must click web sites may be all it takes to enjoy your time away, without breaking the bank.


MAPQUEST.COM
For those of you who are hitting the road, MapQuest.com can not only help you find the cheapest gas in town, it can also help you avoid gas-guzzling traffic. There are a lot of sites out there attempting to track the latest gas prices in a given area, but keep in mind, gas prices change daily, so the information is only as good as the last time it was updated ... and most of the sites depend on volunteer price spotters to send in price updates.


With gasprices.mapquest.com, prices are provided by OPIS (Oil Price Information Service). The prices OPIS provides to MapQuest are the latest prices at the pump and not samples. OPIS obtains pricing data from participating credit card transactions and direct feeds from participating retail chains. Each day retail gasoline prices are compiled from more than 90,000 gasoline and convenience stores across the United States.


Use MapQuest's Gas Prices feature by typing in an address or zip code and it will give you gas stations with the lowest prices for up to a 50 mile radius. The stations appear plotted on a map. In a given area, prices can range by as much as 50 cents per gallon and are updated up to 7 times a day. The service is also available on your cell phone or other wireless device. You could save as much as $10.00 each time you fill up a 20 gallon tank. Another feature on MaqQuest is the ability to view current traffic conditions (they're updated every 5 minutes) – you'd hate to waste more gas sitting in a traffic jam.

FUELCOSTCALCULATOR.COM
With airfare prices also up significantly over this time last year, some people are left wondering whether it's cheaper for them to take the road trip or fly to their destination. There is a way to calculate whether you're likely to spend more by car or by plane. AAA's fuel cost calculator (www.fuelcostcalculator.com) is updated regularly with current gas prices and allows you to input the make and model of your vehicle as well as your travel plans. Take the cost of driving, then weigh it against what it would cost you (or your & the family) to fly.

Keep in mind, in addition to the cost of airfare, American, United and US Airways will start start collecting fees on every piece of checked luggage, including $30 round trip to check one bag and an additional $50 round trip to check a second ... so be sure to do the total math – car trunk (free) vs. cargo (not-so-free).

ROADTRIPAMERICA.COM
With gas prices sky high, every mile counts,and that has travelers going all out to make the most of their road trips. We know road trips are decreasing in distance – the ideal road trip is now less than 200 miles, according to mapmaker Ran McNally – so you want to make the most of it and catch all the attractions along the way.


Roadtripamerica.com is a great site with lots of tips for road trippers – whether you're going by car, RV, motorcycle or by bike. The site can help you plan a road trip close to home – there's a section listing cool places to explore by state, they have suggestions on road food – where to eat while on your road trip ... And one of the best places to frequent on the site are the forums or message boards ... Here, people exchange ideas, give advice on the best road trips in particular areas and offer suggestions for people who may be traveling to their local area. The "locals" always know best.

CITYGUIDE.AOL.COM
Then there's the other crowd ... those who plan to stay close to home or enjoy what is referred to as a "staycation." According to the MapQuest survey, over 1/3 say they've canceled vacation plans altogether this summer. Those really looking to cut costs are vacationing in their backyard ... maybe not literally, but they're opting to enjoy nearby attractions and festivities. There's probably a lot more going on in your area than you know ... Many people live within easy drive of attractions they never find time to visit.


Cityguide.aol.com has an event finder feature ... You punch in the dates you're looking to do something and it shoots back a list of what's going on – from concerts and comedy shows to festivals and fireworks displays, museum attractions, sporting events ... what's happening at the local zoo ... on and on. Also on CityGuide, reviews for the best restaurants, bars, nightclubs etc., in your local area. Key tip: Pretend you're a tourist;)

GOOGLESIGHTSEEING.COM
If you're really planning to stay put and don't want to spend a cent, you can take a virtual trip just about anywhere. For a totally free staycation," checkout www.GoogleSightSeeing.com. Produced by two Scottish brothers, the site uses Google Earth to yield a compilation of virtual visits – from lesser known National Parks to the famed Tellytubbyland – and it's worth every click.