10 Road Trip–Worthy Spots Around The US — And How To Build Trips Around Them For Less Than $100 A Day

Get outta town.

So you've been dreaming of an amazing summer getaway but don't want to spend a ton of money, right? Luckily, you don't have to.

Cinema Group Ventures / Via Giphy / giphy.com

There are lots of ways to travel — you just need to find the trip that fits within your budget. That may mean packing a cooler with leftovers and road-tripping to the other side of the state, but it doesn't necessarily mean skimping on cool lodging or cheap-but-excellent eats at your destination. 

To help you out, I've combed through hostels and Airbnbs in some of the country's coolest destinations and come up with a few sample itineraries for each — including what to do, eat, and see when you're there.

New Line Cinema / Via Giphy / giphy.com

Just keep in mind that I’ve excluded the cost of getting there (who knows, you might live right down the road!) — but I've also made sure to spread the destinations out across the country, in hopes that you'll find one near you.

1. Stay in an A-frame cabin near Asheville in Swannanoa, North Carolina.

Airbnb / Via airbnb.com

Just 15 minutes east of Asheville by car is Swannanoa, where you'll find this truly adorable (and impressively hip) A-frame house. Enjoy the year-round views from your perch before settling into the hammock by a creek. For a mini adventure, head out for a hike on the nearby Rhododendron Ridge Trail system — it's just 15 minutes to the top of a ridge.

To save some cash, swing by the grocery store on your way to the house — and aim to cook most of your meals. (There's a grill outside for your convenience.) For a night out, head to Pisgah Brewing Company for live music and brews (personal favorite: the Pisgah Pale Ale), and make sure to save a day to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park (one hour by car, free entry).

Lodging: $47/night (assuming you share the house with a friend)

Food: $30/day for groceries or beer

Activities: $0

2. Spend a night in a treehouse in Prescott, Arizona.

Airbnb / Via airbnb.com

Turn your childhood dreams into a reality by spending a night in a real-life treehouse. This little gem in Prescott is super affordable, and super cute. Just keep in mind that the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room are shared in a common area below.

The treehouse is located an easy 15-minute walk to downtown Prescott, where you can stock up on sandwich ingredients, snacks, and other fixings for your stay. Or split a heaping pile of nachos at Raven's Cafe. For some nature, head north to Watson Lake, a great place for a trail run followed by a dip in the lake. 

Lodging: $23/night assuming you share the treehouse with a friend

Food: $30/day for groceries or lunch

Activities: $3 for parking at Watson Lake Park

3. Book a room in the middle of vibrant downtown Austin, Texas.

@austinfirehouse / Via instagram.com

You don't have to spend a ton to vacation in the heart of Austin. The Firehouse Hostel off of 6th Street is the place to be, thanks to its setting in the center the city, close to nightlife and awesome restaurants. 

Make a point to load up on the hostel's free daily breakfast, and then cook in the communal kitchen to save money on dining out. When Austin's food scene is too tempting, grab an Amarillo Burger (serrano chiles, jalapeño Jack cheese, and cilantro mayo, $12.50) and a $3 PBR tallboy at Casino El Camino.

When you're ready to get out of the city, head to McKinney Falls State Park ($6 entrance fee), and take a cooling dip in Onion Creek.

Lodging: $31/night for a bed in a shared dorm

Food: $30/day for groceries or a cheap meal out 

Activities: $6 for entry to McKinney Falls State Park

4. Get off the grid with a cabin escape near Acadia National Park in Deer Isle, Maine.

@leantolights / Via instagram.com

Just east of Acadia National Park is Deer Isle, an island accessible by bridge just off mainland Maine. Book your stay at Deer Isle Hostel, where you can sleep in your very own rustic cabin in the woods and get off the grid. In fact, the whole place runs on solar power and hand-pumped water. If you're traveling alone, don't sweat it: There's a nightly communal Deer Isle dinner where you're bound to meet people (suggested donation of $7–$10 or food to share).

During the day, take the bridge to mainland Maine, and spend the day in Acadia National Park — a $30 car pass gives you access for seven days.

Lodging: $35/night assuming you share the cabin with a friend

Food: $30/day

Activities: $30 

5. Cozy up under the Rocky Mountain stars in Deckers, Colorado.

@jtkuhny / Via instagram.com

If you've camped before, you know that while it can be cheap, it isn't always free. That's where dispersed camping (camping outside a designated campground) comes in handy. Just 75 minutes south of Denver, free camping can be found off Rampart Range Road in the Pike National Forest near Deckers, Colorado. Because the sites fall under dispersed camping, you’ll need to bring your own water and firewood. If you can, pack along your own tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. If you're flying in (or don't have the gear), check out OutdoorsGeek's Basic Camping Package. 

Pack yourself a PB&J in the morning, and set out on the Devil's Head Trail to the area’s last fire lookout tower that’s still in service.

Lodging: $0

Food: $30/day for groceries and firewood

Activities: $50/day, if you split the Basic Camping Package with a friend

6. Stay on a house boat in San Diego, California.

Airbnb / Via airbnb.com

Posting up on a boat on Harbor Island  puts you quite literally right on the water, but you'll also be close to downtown San Diego and all the activities the city offers. Spend your morning cruising down the bay in a tandem kayak, which is included in the rental. Then, take one of the city’s dockless bikes from the harbor to Balboa Park for a picnic and people watching. Alternatively, head to the nearby King and Queen Cantina during happy hour for $5 Coronas and $6 house fries. 

Lodging: $77/night assuming you share the boat with a friend

Food: $20/day for groceries or happy hour

Activities: $4/day for bike rentals 

7. Book a house by the water for your crew in Petoskey, Michigan.

@hilary427 / Via instagram.com

Michigan is one of the best places to be during the summer, and this little rental sits right on Bear River, offering easy access to both downtown Petoskey and Little Traverse Bay.

Take advantage of the hiking trails near Bear River, and then make your way to The Back Lot, where you can choose between a handful of food trucks. Order the Great Lakes whitefish basket (comes with fries and slaw) from The Reel Deal Fish & Chips for $12, and wash it down with a cheap beer from the bar. When the sun sets, head to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park and walk the 1-mile Dark Sky Discovery Trail. If you time it right, you might catch a meteor shower.

Lodging: $50/night assuming you have five friends or family to fill the house

Food: $30/day for lunch or groceries

Activities: $0 

8. Kick back in a vintage airstream in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.

Airbnb / Via airbnb.com

This restored 1970 airstream makes it easy to stay somewhere cool (and affordable) without sacrificing location. Your little home away from home — which has its own yard and outdoor seating — is parked right next to the hip Sugar House neighborhood, the place to be for SLC nightlife and great eats. 

Head to Taqueria Los Lee, and grab a couple tacos ($2 each) before cruising through Fairmont Park to the Wasatch Brewery for an ice-cold beer (an Apricot Hefeweizen will set you back $5.25).  

Lodging: $28/night assuming you share the airstream with a friend

Food: $30/day for groceries or tacos and beer

Activities: $0

9. Sleep in a tiny, tropical home near Little Haiti in Miami, Florida.

Airbnb / Via airbnb.com

The great thing about a beach vacation is that enjoying the beach is totally free. From your little green tiny house in Buena Vista (which has a garden, outdoor seating, and grill), it's an easy 20-minute drive to Miami Beach or South Beach. 

For some culture, walk (or catch a ride) north to Little Haiti, and visit Naomi's Garden for a plate of jerk chicken, rice, and collard greens ($9.50). Also worth checking out: Wynwood Walls, Pérez Art Museum, or just walking around art deco buildings on the strip.

Lodging: $39/night assuming you share the tiny house with a friend

Food: $30/day for groceries or lunch

10. Take some time for yourself at a meditation retreat in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.

@jackiefielder / Via instagram.com

Believe it or not, free (yes, actually free) vacations exist. This one will likely be more mentally challenging than you might expect. At Intermountain Vipassana Meditation Center (also called Dhamma Pasava) you can enjoy 10 days of free food and lodging on 256 acres in southeast Idaho, with one catch: You'll be participating in a 10-day silent meditation. 

The meditative courses usually take place four times a year and have an application process. After the 10 days are over, head to the Lava Hot Springs Mineral Pools for a mellow reintegration back into the real world. 

Lodging: $0

Food: $0

Activities: $8 for access to the Lava Hot Springs Mineral Pools

What's the best local (or semi-local) road trip you've made that didn't break the bank? Share in the comments below.