To help travelers plan an enjoyable and budget-friendly getaway, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 32 key metrics. The analysis considered factors ranging from the number of attractions and road quality to travel-related costs.
| Best States for Summer Road Trips: | Worst States for Summer Road Trips: |
| 1. Minnesota | 46. Maryland |
| 2. Utah | 47. California |
| 3. Louisiana | 48. Connecticut |
| 4. New York | 49. Delaware |
| 5. Florida | 50. Rhode Island |
Best vs. Worst
- California has the highest number of scenic byways, which is 22 times higher than in Connecticut and Delaware, the states with the lowest.
- Arizona has the lowest daily price for camping, which is 2.7 times lower than in California, the state with the highest.
- Tennessee has the lowest price for a three-star hotel room, which is 12.3 times lower than in Rhode Island, the state with the highest.
- Vermont has the lowest number of car thefts per 1,000 residents, which is 7.8 times lower than in New Mexico, the state with the highest.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
“Taking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations still impacted by inflation, you’ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable. Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road. The best states for summer road trips therefore are those that keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities.”
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“Minnesota is the best state for summer road trips, and it’s great for people who want to be outdoors because it has the fourth-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation. In addition, Minnesota has the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita during the summer, so there’s always something unique to check out. Driving in Minnesota is very safe, too. The state has the second-fewest vehicle fatalities per million miles traveled, along with the fourth-best bridge quality in the country and the ninth-lowest prevalence of speeding.”
- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Expert Commentary
Do you have any budget-saving tips for those looking to hit the open road?
“Generally speaking, I recommend that travelers plan ahead and search for local deals before starting a trip. It is also helpful to bring snacks and drinks purchased from grocery stores, as well as to refuel at lower-cost stations along the route. Even these small savings can make a visible difference by the end of a trip.”
Wooyang Kim, Ph.D. – Professor, Minnesota State University Moorhead
“Travel costs are absolutely brutal right now, with everything from gas to hotels eating through your savings before you even pack a bag. If you want to make your money stretch, you have to ditch the luxury mindset and channel your inner 19-year-old on a broke, wild mission. Start by bypassing the highway tourist traps completely; download tracking apps to hunt down cheap fuel where the locals shop. Turn your backseat into a rolling pantry by raiding grocery stores for snacks and sandwich supplies, cutting out the wallet-drain of overpriced roadside diners. For sleeping and exploring, skip the commercial theme parks and pricey resorts in favor of free public land, state parks, and campsites. If you do need a bed, crash on the absolute outskirts of major towns where hotel rates plummet, or split a rugged cabin with friends to share the burden. Finally, treat your car like a prized machine, keeping the tires inflated and the trunk light to squeeze every single mile out of a single tank of gas.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
Do you think more people will take road trips this summer than in previous years?
“The recent U.S. situation is highly unpredictable both economically and politically, which may lead to an overall reduction in spending; thus, I cannot deterministically answer this question. However, given the notable increase in gas prices, I expect shorter-term road trips to become more common. This type of trip can be beneficial for travelers going with friends (high school and college students) or families, as a budget-friendly option with greater flexibility during the trip.”
Wooyang Kim, Ph.D. – Professor, Minnesota State University Moorhead
“Absolutely, because flying has simply become too stressful, unpredictable, and expensive for the average person. Even with gas prices fluctuating, driving gives you total control over your budget that airlines never will. As a recent AAA travel analysis points out, people are still determined to get away, but they are just being much more mindful about their total spending. The desire to explore is incredibly resilient, and instead of staying home and staring at the wall, Americans are pivoting back to the classic road trip. They are realizing that you do not need to cross an ocean or spend thousands on airfare to find a real adventure when you can just throw your bags in the trunk and go.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
How can local officials enhance safety and promote tourism during the busy summer road trip season?
“Infrastructure maintenance prior to the peak season is a crucial foundation for enhancing safety and promoting tourism. In addition, close collaboration with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and local businesses is pivotal for effective coordination to improve visibility and attractiveness. This collective effort can effectively promote locally specific experiences, establish service-ready environments (e.g., local facilities and events), and provide up-to-date, seamless information for visitors. Accordingly, this community-coordinated partnership can positively reinforce the overall travel experience.”
Wooyang Kim, Ph.D. – Professor, Minnesota State University Moorhead
“Local officials need to understand that today's road trippers are looking for two things: safety and simplicity. To capture those valuable tourism dollars, small towns and state municipalities should focus heavily on making their roads feel welcoming and secure. Officials can dramatically improve the traveler experience by keeping highway rest areas well-lit, increasing visible traffic enforcement to curb reckless driving, and using digital signs to warn drivers about upcoming construction or delays. On the promotion side, officials should make it effortless for visitors to discover hidden gems. By bundling local historical sites into easy digital passes and mapping out scenic, low-traffic backroads, small towns can convince drivers to pull off the main highway, spend some cash, and experience the absolute best of local hospitality.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
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