Spring break is fast approaching, and after an exceptionally snowy winter in most parts of the country, you’re probably ready to get away somewhere warm. Even if you haven’t started planning yet, you can still save a bundle on your spring break getaway with these tips.

1. Start with the right destination.

Being set on one destination because of its reputation or because you’ve been there before just isn’t smart. If you’re looking for a cheap trip, narrow down a list of potential vacation places based on price. Avoiding tourist traps and looking for locations with better airfare is the way to go when you want to save on your trip.

The top 10 cheap spring break destinations ranked by U.S. News Travel include Daytona, Florida; South Padre Island, Texas; Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico. These destinations offer affordable flights and accommodations, as well as interesting sights to see. And, of course, they all include beaches.

You could potentially save even more by forgoing the idea of the beach altogether. After all, the ocean isn’t absolutely necessary for a great spring break vacation. Non-beach destinations, which might be even cheaper because they’re less popular, include Arizona’s deserts, Palm Springs in California, the District of Columbia and the Great Smoky Mountains.

If you’re up for a real adventure, you might even decide to not decide on a destination until the last minute. If you’re OK with choosing a less-than-traditional option, wait until a few days before spring break to book your flight. Last-minute flights can be majorly discounted, but it might be harder to find enough open seats for the whole family if you’re heading to a traditional destination.

2. Pick the right accommodations.

Once you’ve chosen your destination — whether traditional or not — you’ll need a place to stay. Again, if you choose to go nontraditional here, you could save a ton of money.

One option in many of these less-than-popular destinations — like the Smokies or the desert — is to camp. If you don’t want to rough it 100 percent, consider a KOA campground. This is an especially fun retreat if you have younger kids.

However, you can still save money if you decide to go the traditional route and stay in a hotel. Again, one option is to book at the last minute. Hotels, like airlines, try to fill all rooms — even if that means heavily discounting them to last-minute travelers. If you’re comfortable with some flux in your vacation plans, you can choose to book your hotel at the last second and snag a deal.

While you’re choosing hotels, though, be choosy about your food options, in particular. To save more, book a hotel with a fridge and microwave in the room, and find one that also offers complimentary breakfast. Eating for free once a day (even if there’s a small cost added to the base cost of your hotel room) can save you a load of money. And with a fridge in your room, you can pack snacks and even microwave meals for cheaper evenings in.

3. Consider a road trip.

With gas prices down, a road trip could be just the thing you need to save on your spring break plans this year. This is a great option for a family or group of friends. Rent a fuel-efficient vehicle, pack everyone in and hit the road.

Road trips are generally a better idea if you live in or near good spring break destinations. You probably don’t want to spend half of your vacation days driving. But if you’re in the South or West, you likely have some great spring break locations within a few hours of home. In this case, driving — instead of flying — can be an excellent way to slash your spending.

Another advantage of a road trip is that you can actually hit more than one destination. So you could, for instance, spend part of your break camping in the Smoky Mountains, and then spend the rest of your trip in a swanky hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. You’ll get the best of both worlds with your vacation, and you’ll save some cash.

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3 Ways to Save on Your Spring Break Vacation originally appeared on usnews.com