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Few adventures are more American than summer car trip, and few regions of the country are better suited to it than the South. Depending on which direction you're heading and how far you want to travel, you can see the mountains, coastline, and grasslands in one ride. And if you're on a budget, there are several affordable road trips in the South.
Many of the most popular journeys involve coastal highways due to the many choices available in the South. It's the only part of the country where you can travel along two large bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
If you prefer higher ground, another popular route is to travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains, which stretch from southern Pennsylvania to northern Alabama.
Cheap Road Trips in the South
While there are plenty of affordable road trip options in the South, here are four of the best options, according to a blog from The Travel. As of January 2024, average costs are based solely on gasoline required.
Nashville to New Orleans
It's an ideal road trip for music lovers as it takes you from the capital of country music to the birthplace of jazz. The average cost of a one-way car trip is around $61.
- Distance: 556 miles
- Starting and ending point: Nashville and New Orleans
- Approximate travel time: 8 hours and 36 minutes
- Affordable attractions: Tennessee State Museum (free), The Parthenon ($10), The French Quarter (free), Jackson Square (free)
Road trip in Texas: from Dallas to San Antonio
This ride lets you see a pretty good overview of the Lone Star State, from the gleaming skyscrapers of Dallas to the riverwalk of San Antonio. The average cost of a one-way car trip is around $32.
- Distance: 296 miles
- Starting and ending point: Dallas and San Antonio
- Approximate travel time: 5 hours and 14 minutes
- Affordable attractions: Dallas Museum of Art (free), Klyde Warren Park (free), San Antonio River Walk, Canyon Park ($20 per vehicle)
Florida Keys Overseas Highway
This trip encompasses the southernmost stretch of US Highway 1 and gives you direct views of the Florida Keys. The drive itself isn't long, but The Travel recommends taking a three-day trip to soak it all in. The average cost of a one-way car trip is around $20.
- Distance: 166 miles
- Starting and ending point: Miami and Key West
- Approximate travel time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
- Affordable attractions: Bahia Honda State Park ($8 per vehicle; two to eight people), Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park ($8 per vehicle; two to eight people), Anne's Beach (free), Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters
South Carolina Road Trip: Charleston to Myrtle Beach
Here's another fairly short drive that packs a punch from the historic charm and world-famous cuisine of Charleston to the beautiful beaches and tourist attractions of Myrtle Beach. The average cost of a one-way car trip is around $11.
- Distance: 97.9 miles
- Starting and ending point: Charleston and Myrtle Beach
- Approximate travel time: 1 hour and 53 minutes
- Affordable attractions: Rainbow Row (free), Marshwalk (free), Broadway at the Beach (free), Myrtle Beach State Park ($8 per adult)
How to save even more money
For thrifty travelers, road trips are often a great option because you can to save money in many ways, starting with the fact that you don't book a flight. If you really want to make this a budget trip, here are some tips:
- Couchsurfing: This service, available on a application, allows you to stay free of charge with locals. The app has seen its community dwindle in recent years, but there are still plenty of hosts across the United States, so you'll “rarely have problems” finding someone to host with, according to the app. Nomadic mat website.
- Camp: Here's another cheap option that only requires a tent and camping gear. Campsites generally cost between $10 and $30 per night and you can find them by visiting state and national park websites or camping forums.
- Prepare your own food: Rather than dining out and spending money, prepare your food and transport it in the car. If you are transporting perishable goods, you can put them in a plastic container and store them in a cooler with ice.
- Use a gasoline application: This is a particularly good option if you plan to travel a long distance because gas applications like GasBuddy, helps you find the cheapest gas in your immediate area.
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