Nearly 72 percent of U.S. adults are planning to take a road trip this summer, WalletHub, a personal finance website, reports.
It compared the 50 states on 32 metrics. The analysis considered factors ranging from the number of attractions and road quality to travel-related costs.
“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,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst, said in an email.
Lupo said safe roads are also key as is having worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road, adding the best states for summer road trips are those that keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities.
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, according to the analysis.
In addition, Minnesota has the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita during the summer. And driving in Minnesota is 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 amount of speeding.
| 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 |
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D., associate professor at Lynn University, thinks more people will take road trips this summer because flying has 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,” Burnstine said. “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.”
Tips for saving money include bring snacks and drinks purchased from grocery stores, as well as to refuel at lower-cost stations along the route. In addition, skip highway tourist traps, stay in state parks, and make sure your tires are inflated and your luggage is as light as possible to save gas.
Enjoy.
