Billy Ferris: a graduate student, loads luggage into his car in preparation for a road trip. Road trips are a cheaper alternative to airline travel, and a fun way for students to take a break from classes. Kyle Cooper
Taking a road trip is one of the oldest college traditions and greatest freedoms. You have weekends, breaks and even slow afternoons to just pack up and go.
Now that the weather is warm and the sun is inviting you outdoors, it is the perfect time for a trip to the beach. Auburn is in a great location for a beach get-away, with the sun and waves only four hours away.
According to Google maps, Gulf Shores is approximately four hours and 12 minutes away, and Grayton Beach is four hours and 23 minutes away.
Alyssa Rachels, a junior in graphic design said she and nine other girls piled into two SUVs and headed for Gulf Shores one Friday last fall.
“I loved staying in a condo that wasn’t big enough for all of us,” Rachels said. “Meaning that everyone’s together all the time, joking, laughing and having tons of fun.”
Rachels said she loves road trips and would do it again.
“It’s something to do out of the ordinary with people you love to be around,” she said.
If you are looking for something other than the beach, some students enjoy road-tripping to places like Charleston, S.C.
Leslie McClenny, a senior in interior design said she and two friends went to Charleston for a few days over spring break.
“I love Charleston because I had never been there and was able to enjoy the coast but sight-see,” McClenny said.
According to Google maps, Charleston is a six and a half hour drive.
“It was really an easy drive,” McClenny said. “It was a great way to catch-up and deepen friendships.”
McClenny said to pass the time, she and her friend practiced for upcoming jobs and internship interviews.
If Charleston isn’t far enough away and you’re up for a challenge, you can make the trip that four Auburn girls did and drive to Austin, Texas.
Megann Gallagher, a junior in elementary education set off from Auburn to show three friends her hometown.
“I loved seeing all of my friends from home,” Gallagher said, “and showing everyone my favorite places to go.”
Kasey Gardner, a sophomore in molecular biology was one of the girls on the trip. She said to make the trip more comfortable, they borrowed her brother’s Tahoe.
She said even though gas prices are high, the trip wasn’t very expensive.
“We took turns filling the gas tank, which was the only mutual cost we had,” Gardner said.
Gardner said the cost was worth the experience.
“It was fun to explore another state in detail, and see other college campuses and experience their traditions,” Gardner said, “especially because
I was with three amazing people.”
Gallagher agreed the experience was special.
“This is the freedom and fun that college is all about,” Gallagher said. “These are the experiences we’ll remember.”
Even though the trip took 13 hours, Gallagher and Gardner said they would do the trip again.
“We took turns driving and listened to music,” Gallagher said. “It was really fun.”
Gallagher said another thing they did for fun was stop at every state sign to take pictures.
For another alternative, students may choose to visit places like Gatlinburg, Tenn., which according to Google maps, is five hours and 45 minutes away.
“It’s a great weekend trip,” said Jennifer Boutwell a junior in accounting.
Boutwell said she was there for a conference and thinks it would make a fun road trip.
“It’s a nice drive and provides a change of scenery,” she said.
