In addition to the educational opportunities, studying in the United States is a great opportunity to explore the country. Designated breaks in the school year can provide perfectly timed escapes from campus life, and the chance to spend time with your friends on adventures. Make the most of your college experience by visiting exciting destinations the United States has to offer while you’re already here.

Save Up

Between tuition, room and board, books and living expenses, you may feel like going on a trip is too expensive. Establishing money-saving habits is a great idea when planning for the long term, but can also give you a little extra cash now. There are hundreds of phone apps that can help you create a budget, track your spending and remind you to put money aside for a goal. Shopping apps can help you save hundreds of dollars at the grocery store. Other small changes can add up to a lot of money in your pocket. Make your coffee at home. Rent your furniture. Rent your textbooks. Saving money towards a travel fund means you can take the trip of a lifetime and stay on budget.

Doing your research and planning ahead can also help you save money on the trip itself. A study by Expedia found that the best time to buy flights is on Sunday. Booking an Airbnb instead of traditional hotel rooms can also help you stay on budget. There are tons of ways to save money before your trip and along the way, so you can relax and have fun on your adventure. 

Grab Your Friends

Decide who you want to bring along and talk through your plan before the trip. Travel, especially long road trips, requires a lot of down time in between destinations, so you’ll want to make sure everyone has the same expectations for the trip. Some questions to consider before extending an invite might include: What kind of music will you all agree on? Would you rather travel by car or plane? Decide how you will share or split costs. Having these conversations before you travel will make the journey an enjoyable experience for everyone.  

Map Your Route

Depending on where your university is, the length of time you have and number of destinations on your list, your travels can take many different routes. Go online to find websites that will determine the best route to your destination and will incorporate interesting stops along the way. They may also provide pre-planned routes that are sure to excite, no matter what region of the country you’re eager to explore.

Another consideration to keep in mind in the planning process is what you’ll be listening to on the way. Make a playlist of your favorite songs to enjoy, but be sure they are upbeat enough to keep you alert if you are driving. Listening to books on tape or finding an interesting podcast is also a great way to pass the time if you run out of music.

Share the Journey

Live in the moment, but be sure to document your amazing experience. Whether you’re visiting the vast expanses of the Grand Canyon or the sandy beaches of Key West, your family and friends will want to be a part of your travels. Photo editing apps can help you create stunning photos of your excursion that will wow your social media followers.  Snapping photos from big moments on your trip will give you long lasting memories, but be sure you appreciate where you are while you’re there. Your trip will be over before you know it, and you’ll want to make sure you weren’t on your phone the whole time!

Whether you travel along the East Coast, enjoy the shows in Las Vegas or find yourself somewhere in the middle of the country, exploring the United States during college will be a memory you won’t soon forget. Keeping these tips in mind can help you create the trip of a lifetime.