We know we’re a little late to the game on this one, but we also realize that BYU doesn’t take a spring break. Let’s just say these are our suggestions for great post-semester road trips. All of them are safe and include a few interesting stops along the way. Because if you are just driving straight to your destination without stopping a couple times along the way, you’re doing it wrong.
And if you’re driving without bringing your Chevy into Larry H. Miller Chevy Provo before you head out, you are asking for car troubles. Listen, we get that you can’t always afford the latest and greatest, but you can’t afford not to take care of what you’ve got either. So, come and see us before you put the rubber to the road.
Once you’re ready to get going, check out our top five picks for great places you can spend your first week of summer.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX
DISTANCE: ~1,500 miles
TRAVEL LENGTH: 24 hours
TRAVEL LENGTH: 24 hours
STOPS ALONG THE WAY: Albuquerque, NM; El Paso, TX; San Antonio, TX
Never heard of it, you say? Well you are going to feel awfully foolish once we have finished sharing everything fun and wonderful you can do here.
It is mostly a destination for southern colleges, so you could consider this as cultural an experience as if you were spending your time in Honduras building schools. South Padre Island’s white, sandy beaches are a welcome sight after all the long days you spend in a BYU lecture hall. Plus, it isn’t nearly as overrun as places like Santa Monica. So, dip your toes into the warm, calm waters of the Gulf, and feel the stresses from the last semester melt away.
GALVESTON, TX
DISTANCE: ~1,400 miles
TRAVEL LENGTH: 23 hours 26 minutes
STOPS ALONG THE WAY: Albuquerque, NM; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX
Full disclosure, South Padre Island is known to get a little cray-cray. So if you’re a literary type looking for less party scene and more relaxing tones deep in the heart of the Lone Star, then make the trek to Galveston.
This charming beachside town is the perfect place to enjoy some of the wonderful Gulf rays. Consider a visit to Pleasure Pier to give yourself some amusing stimulation. You’ll find great restaurants, unique shopping, and endless eccentricities to enjoy. Plus, like we said, it is the perfect place to get a jump on that summer reading list.
SAN DIEGO, CA
DISTANCE: ~750 miles
TRAVEL LENGTH: 10 hours 27 minutes
STOPS ALONG THE WAY: St. George, UT; Zions National Park; Las Vegas, NV; Death Valley National Park; Joshua Tree National Park; Los Angeles, CA
So, you have less time to drive down south before you head out to sell security systems or pest control this summer—we get it. You need to get your vacation in sooner rather than later, so maybe a trip to SoCal is more your speed. You know we have to suggest San Diego: It’s pretty much a given.
There are a lot of things to like about San Diego, and a lot of them are pretty familiar to a lot of people. While we would encourage a visit to the San Diego Zoo, any one of the great eateries, and of course some beach time, we think it’s a good idea to change it up by doing something unexpected. Maybe it is a jaunt along the legendary Route 66 on your way into town, or maybe taking in some of the local high life, but there is a lot more to San Diego than you thought the first time you came to see Shamu—who is still around by the way.
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA
DISTANCE: ~700 miles
TRAVEL LENGTH: 9 hours 52 minutes
STOPS ALONG THE WAY: St. George, UT; Zions National Park; Las Vegas, NV; Yosemite National Park
Looking for a more quintessential California experience? You’re going to want to make the trip to Manhattan Beach.
This classically Californian destination is everything you’d expect when visiting SoCal. You will be able to enjoy your days walking on the pier, visiting shops and restaurants, playing beach volleyball, or surfing. The nightlife is great and LA really isn’t too far off for a day in La la Land.
LAS VEGAS, NV
DISTANCE: 380 miles
TRAVEL LENGTH: 5 hours 28 minutes
STOPS ALONG THE WAY: St. George, UT; Zions National Park; Bryce Canyon National Park
You thought we were going to leave off Vegas, didn’t you? Not your first pick? That’s okay—there is still plenty to do without breaking the honor code.
Bright lights, world-class dining, and the best entertainment are all found in one place. But you don’t have to stay on the strip to have an incredible time in Vegas. The natural beauty of the desert around the city has adventures just waiting to be had. With the Hoover Dam and Lake Meade not too far out of town and beautiful desert mountains you can explore, you will have more than enough to occupy your time. But make this one’s an early trip because it gets hot. So maybe you do want to save this one for a spring break trip for next year when highs reach about 69 in March.
