For a short trip, a cheap way to keep your car free of bugs and small impacts is to use painters tape to cover the front of the car. Once at your destination you can peel it off, just be aware if you encounter rain it will come loose. A more durable alternative is to use a product like Road Wrap, a temporary vinyl wrap that can be removed up to a week after application. There are even windshield wraps that go over the outside of the windshield to prevent breakage, these aren't cheap and last about one year under normal use.
ClearPlex windshield protection:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8pW3_zFUr8