Midterms are turned in, the semester is half over and the start of blue sky and cherry blossoms are hinting at the arrival of spring. This is the prime time for college students to get spring fever, but a road trip during spring break may get them out of town long enough to come back and finish the semester without going stir crazy.

Road trips are great for college students because they can be low in cost, especially if three or four people go. And when else in your life will you be able to take off to nowhere for a week without the responsibilities that we will all become tied down to as the years pass by? If all goes well, it will be an experience of a lifetime, at the very least, you will make incredible memories.Although a road trip can be as spontaneous as hopping in the car and taking off, a little planning may make the experience that much more enjoyable.

To start your planning, make sure you travel with people you are compatible with. If you love sleeping under the stars but your traveling buddy prefers five-star hotels, you may run into a bit of a problem.

After you have chosen your sidekick (or sidekicks), be sure that the car you are taking runs well. If money allows, get a tune-up before you leave, and an oil change is a necessity.

The car should be stocked with a first aid kit, as aspirin that expired in 1985 may not be much help. Be sure that there is a spare tire and that it is in good condition. Being able to change a tire is always a good thing, but signing up for a roadside service such as AAA may prove to be useful. Although it?s not recommended to use your cell phone out of town because of the outrageous charges that phone companies apply, it is a good idea to bring one with you in case of an emergency.

When packing, pack light. Try to give yourself time to pack and re-pack in order to leave behind the extras. Five pairs of shoes are probably not necessary and there will be other people trying to fit their things into the car as well. Try to remember this is a road trip, not a beauty contest.

Remember to pack layers if you will be traveling through different climates and especially if you will be camping. Sleeping outdoors will likely be cold and California locals know that the weather is never stable during this time of year.

Figure out a rough budget before you leave and make sure someone has a credit card in case you get in a bind.

Items such as food, gas and lodging add up fast and nobody wants to get stuck with the bill. As a group, decide how much you want to spend.

Lodging costs can vary depending on where you stay. A hotel is most costly which can run from $40 a night in Reno, up to $150 a night in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Camping will cut the cost greatly, but this means packing up your “home” everyday, and a tent, chairs and sleeping bags mean that much more space taken up in the trunk. Hostels are generally low in cost, though some research may be required to find out if there are any located near your destination and if reservations are necessary.

This time of year begins the busy season, so reservations everywhere are recommended. This takes some spontaneity out of the trip, but at least you are guaranteed somewhere to lay your head. The cheapest way to sleep is to travel a route where you have friends or family living so you can crash at their place for free.

Food is a necessity that we all hate to spend money on. You can cut down on costs though by packing lots of beverages, “clean” snacks like pretzels and dried fruit, and bread, Mayo and meat for sandwiches. Just don?t forget to re-pack the ice if you are in a warm climate!

Lastly for costs, figure that gas will cost approximately $1.80 per gallon, which, depending on the car, will be about 25 miles to the gallon. All costs should be decided upon ahead of time so that is one less thing for your group to argue over.

When taking off on your adventure, have some idea of where you?re going, but leave yourself time to explore if need be. There is nothing wrong with heading east and taking off until you run into something interesting, but at least have maps of where you think you may end up. If you belong to AAA, maps and a lot of information are free, so use your resources. Most of all, plan how far you can go before having to turn back so that you can get home in time for school (don?t you miss it already?) to start up again.

Another pre-trip necessity is music and lots of it. Don?t depend on radio stations because sometimes they either don?t come in or are terrible. Also, bring a Walkman to take some time away from the group. Being in a car for seven days with the same people will make you want to return home, so some time to yourself will help you retain your sanity.

Road trips can be an experience if you go with the right people and take the right steps for preparation. As long as you are safe, and have fun, your trip will be a success!