Summer Road Trip Resources
By Matt Wallace
2 minute read
It’s that time of year: the USA is in its hottest season, and many InterExchange participants are planning for their post-program travel. But the U.S. is so big; the country’s size amazes many first-time visitors. To make the most of your time in the USA, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite travel apps and websites to help you efficiently plan your trip.
Image courtesy of Andressa.
A Few Routes to Consider
Given the size of the USA, you’ll want to plan based on the most efficient routes to see cities in order. We’ve suggested a few below!
East Coast
On the East Coast, you can see these major cities:
- Boston
- New York City
- Washington, D.C.
- Miami
And here’s what makes the East Coast worth exploring!
West Coast
A trip along the West Coast will allow you to see:
- Seattle
- Portland
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
Click here for inspiration on what to do in these cities!
Route 66
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Fredddie.
Finally, there’s a route that will take you through the middle of the country! This route is based on a historic U.S. highway called “Route 66.” Although its end points, Chicago and Santa Monica, California, might be well known, the fun of Route 66 is discovering the little towns and tourist attractions along the way. You can find more information here.
Some Resources to Help You Plan
- Rome2Rio: think of this as a Google Maps for young travelers - it shows you how to get to major destinations with combinations of cheap travel options, such as bus and train.
- RoadTrippers: similar to Rome2Rio, this website and app helps plan longer-distance trips.
- CultureTrip: a third option for end-to-end trip planning, but this one focuses on environmental and social sustainability!
- Lonely Planet’s USA resources: the classic travel guide!
- 50 Hidden Gems To Visit Across America, from Redbook Magazine.
- WikiTravel USA: similar to the actual Wikipedia, this site is edited by its users, but focuses on tips for destinations, food, travel, and safety!
- InterExchange has our own list of cultural activities by state and region!
- Finally, InterExchange has created a list of affordable hotels and hostels in major cities in the U.S!
And if you’re planning on traveling the west coast, check out Au Pair USA alum Hagen’s 2020 journey, complete with playlist suggestions!
Didn’t make it to the U.S. this summer? It’s never too soon to start planning for next year!
By Matt WallaceMatt Wallace is the Community & Digital Content Manager for the InterExchange Marketing team. He received a Master of Science in Global Affairs from New York University, and worked with the State Department and two New York organizations with missions to introduce young people to multiculturalism and international relations. He is excited to leverage this experience with InterExchange!
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