Budget Road Trips for Groups/Students

Road trips are generally more affordable than flying, plus you get the added face time with your friends. Make memories that will last a lifetime as you motor across the country, or maybe just around the state, encountering beautiful natural wonders and manmade attractions. Whether you're looking for a long trip to satisfy your wanderlust or a short one to fit into a weekend, we can help make it budget-friendly and awesome!

Pacific Coast Highway - 655 miles - A designated All American Road, the Pacific Coast Highway is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stretches of asphalt in the U.S. Winding from Dana Point, south of Los Angeles, to Mendocino County in Northern California, the PCH twists along the coast from the palm tree-studded desert into fertile countryside and lush green redwood forests. The highway will take you upwards of seven hours to complete a driving nonstop, though you may tackle just a portion if you wish and stop as many times as you like. The most beautiful stretch, as said by many, lies in Big Sur where you'll encounter Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, the views of the Bixby Creek Bridge, and cities like historic Monterey whose Cannery Row was the inspiration for John Steinbeck, or Carmel-by-the-Sea where Clint Eastwood was once mayor. Along the highway, you'll find some of the best seafood restaurants in the United States, some truly cute little roadside inns with perfect views and affordable prices, and quirky towns like the Amsterdam replica of Solvang along your route.

Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway - 480 miles - The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway runs through Colorado and Utah, looping back on itself at Colorado 64. Going at road trip pace, this highway would take you roughly three to four days to complete and see everything from the Dinosaur National Monument to the massive red-rock canyons that predate Western civilization. This area has an archaeological history of dinosaur habitation with fossils and footprints dating 150 million years. You'll see plenty of dinosaur-related attractions on this drive including the Dinosaur Quarry in Jensen, Utah, the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry which has uncovered the highest concentration of Jurassic era fossils anywhere in the world, and the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail among others. Get out and stretch your legs in the high plains and rocky terrains where dinosaurs once roamed freely. Visit some of the best national parks in the nation like Canyonlands and Arches National Park, and so much more.

Route 66 (All or part) 2,400 miles - While it's a historic giant when it comes to road trips, the daunting 2,400 miles is a little too much for most people to handle. But the great part about Route 66 is that there are numerous places to start and stop your trip without missing out on a wonderful vacation. You can map it out according to how long you want to be driving or you can pick which roadside attractions you definitely want to see and go from there. Some of the top attractions include the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, a collection of pop art made from ten old Cadillac cars, as well as the retro city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, where neon lights up the night and they play up Route 66's heyday with retro-themed shops and diners. Route 66 travels through some of the most beautiful and varied regions of the U.S., from pastoral plains of the Midwest through red rock canyons of the Southwest into the valley-sheltered beaches of California. There's really no way you can go wrong with a trip along Route 66.

Wisconsin Great River Road - 240 miles - Traveling through 33 of Wisconsin's oldest cities, the Great River Road bends and weaves along the riverside, through lush farmland and forests, and into the past. Many of these historic towns remain rooted in the 19th century, maintaining antique architecture, shops, and inns offering comfortable stays with gorgeous waterfront views. Stretching from Prescott to Potosi, the Great River Road has plenty of stops for photographers, boaters, fishers, and hikers as well as those searching for the perfect shops and unique attractions. Enjoy Midwest charm, sternwheel paddleboats along the Mississippi River, farms open for visitors, and gorgeous state parks like Wyalusing State Park, one of the oldest in Wisconsin.

Miami to the Florida Keys - 120 miles - How many times do you get the opportunity to drive over a hundred miles over water? U.S. 1 from Miami to Key Largo in the Upper Keys moves predominately over the ocean, granting you unimpeded views of the Gulf of Mexico and the wildlife therein. Sometimes referred to as the Overseas Highway, U.S. 1 connects all the major islands of the Keys and moves straight through to Key West in the Lower Keys. While you'll certainly find beauty and excitement once you get to the Keys, there are stops along the highway at little islands, recreational parks, and nature areas, that should be enjoyed at leisure. Take your time and get into the Florida state of mind!

Hana Highway - 51 miles - Full of treacherous turns and twists around the Maui coastline to Hana, this incredible stretch of road moves through Jurassic Park filming areas, picture-perfect ocean views, and plenty of roadside stops for your group to enjoy. Stop by a roadside stand and pick up some fresh fruit and baked goods, marvel at the waterfalls and verdant jungles, and learn how the road was originally created by hand, all 600 turns dug by hand tools. Stop by Waianapanapa State Park to stretch your legs along the black-sand beaches, explore sea caves and more. The magnificent scenery of Maui is rolled up in one stretch of road from Kahului to Hana, and you don't want to miss out on it.

Cascade Loop - 400 miles - Moving through nine distinct regions of Washington state, the Cascade Loop moves from the Seattle area around to central Washington and back. Move through the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way, through the harbors and bays of the state's northern region where orcas and sea otters play and seafood is as fresh as it can get. After that, move into the Skagit Valley, the North Cascades and into the mountains before reaching Methow Valley, Lake Chelan, and the Wenatchee Columbia River Valley. You'll encounter the Bavarian-themed ski village of Leavenworth along the trail and perhaps enjoy some of their renowned shops and festivals before making your way over to Stevens Pass Greenway and then finally coming to the Shonomish River Valley, the last region on the loop. There is so much to see, from farmland to rocky beaches, ski resorts, and snow-capped mountains, that your group will be thoroughly entertained.