You have worked hard all year, studying late into the nights and cramming hard for your finals. Now summer is here and you deserve a break from all the stress of school, you deserve an adventure and the chance to create some memories that will last a lifetime. The road trip is a classic vacation staple because it has the potential to provide you with a once in a lifetime experience that has the potential to teach and inspire you around every turn.
But should you choose to brave the highways of America, where should you go? How do you begin to narrow down all the many possible routes and destinations? Here are a few suggestions for awesome college summer road trips, taking into consideration the interests and limited budget of the average struggling student.
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1 Explore your State
Stay local and take the summer to explore all that your state has to offer. Get your hands on a guide book or a AAA book and browse the pages looking for anything that catches your eye. Because you are focusing on one state, your mileage will already be somewhat limited, so feel free to add a few extra stops to your itinerary.
This type of trip provides a great opportunity for you to really get to know the state you are living in. You can explore theme parks and historical land marks and state parks; the possibilities are endless.
2 Visit Your Buddies
Being away from home for the first time in college can make you a little homesick, and leave you really missing those friends from back home. Take the summer and map out a trip that takes you from one old buddies place to the next.
Make the rounds visiting all your old friends in their new homes. You will get to see everyone’s new spaces and campuses and you will save a ton of money on accommodations. This is a great trip to take if you’re on a strict budget, you get to see the country and reconnect with old friends, what could be better?
3. Indian Reservations
If you are a history buff and have a fair amount of interest in our country and its original inhabitants, then taking a Native American themed road trip could be really amazing for you. Look at maps and online and find towns all over that are on or nearby Indian reservations. You can map your trip locally, or go clear across the country, catching pow wows and celebrations all along the way. You will learn so much from the experience and see so much history.
If you have the budget for it, you have the potential to collect some amazing souvenirs as you go as well. The Native Americans offer some of the most beautiful jewelry and crafts that can be found in our country.
4 National Parks
From California to New York, there are hundreds of state and national parks scattered in every direction. Break out an atlas, or look them up online and find a group of five to ten parks that you would like to visit. Pack your car with some camping gear and get on your way.
Most of these parks charge a small fee to camp over night and will allow for you to save a considerable amount on lodging throughout your trip. Maybe you want to explore all of the major national parks, or waterfalls across our country, or parks centering around amazing trees, whatever the theme, you are destined to see some amazing and breathtaking works of nature. Don’t forget your camera for this one; you will want it around every corner.
5 Music Festivals
It never fails, every summer, all over our country, there are some amazing opportunities to see some great live music performances. Planning a trip to experience some of these musical opportunities is sure to give you so much joy and inspiration, but this could prove to be one of the more expensive trips. You can save money if you plan enough in advance and schedule to stay with friends in nearby cities before and after the concerts or festivals until you move to the next one.
You can also save a great deal if you are willing to camp along your way. While you are planning your trip, don’t forget to explore any free music experiences that may be being offered, and hit up coupon and group discount sites for any discounted tickets, or other opportunities to save along the way. The key to this particular trip is to plan ahead.