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Summer is the ideal season for a road trip: schools are on break, the weather is warm, and there’s no shortage of places to explore. This year, nearly 72% of American adults are planning some kind of road trip, with more than one-third expected to take more than one trip.
While deciding to travel is easy, choosing the right destination — and staying within budget — can be more challenging. Gas prices remain a concern, with the national average still above $4.50 per gallon. Travelers also have to factor in the rising costs of accommodations, dining, and activities, all of which continue to feel the effects of inflation.
Keeping road trippers in mind, WalletHub compared all 50 U.S. states across 32 key metrics to identify the best road-trip destinations based on fun, scenery, and affordability — as well as the states travelers may want to avoid. The analysis considered factors ranging from the number of attractions and road quality to 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. 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.”
Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Main Findings
Best Road-Trip Destinations for Summer
| Overall Rank | State | Total Score | Costs Rank | Safety Rank | Activities Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 61.11 | 16 | 3 | 20 |
| 2 | Utah | 60.15 | 34 | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 60.03 | 1 | 42 | 10 |
| 4 | New York | 58.88 | 42 | 13 | 3 |
| 5 | Florida | 58.55 | 21 | 49 | 2 |
| 6 | Texas | 58.18 | 15 | 39 | 5 |
| 7 | Maine | 58.15 | 29 | 1 | 32 |
| 8 | Georgia | 57.80 | 2 | 32 | 25 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 57.79 | 17 | 35 | 6 |
| 10 | Ohio | 57.23 | 24 | 25 | 14 |
| 11 | Idaho | 56.58 | 26 | 12 | 21 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 56.15 | 35 | 21 | 16 |
| 13 | Illinois | 55.21 | 36 | 22 | 18 |
| 14 | Nebraska | 54.92 | 8 | 9 | 36 |
| 15 | Wyoming | 54.53 | 28 | 20 | 28 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 54.12 | 31 | 10 | 30 |
| 17 | Alaska | 53.77 | 44 | 16 | 7 |
| 18 | Virginia | 53.76 | 37 | 24 | 17 |
| 19 | Nevada | 53.42 | 27 | 37 | 12 |
| 20 | Iowa | 53.16 | 12 | 5 | 40 |
| 21 | Michigan | 53.06 | 23 | 28 | 26 |
| 22 | Tennessee | 52.87 | 5 | 46 | 23 |
| 23 | Arizona | 52.49 | 25 | 44 | 15 |
| 24 | Colorado | 52.36 | 32 | 45 | 9 |
| 25 | South Dakota | 51.96 | 10 | 26 | 34 |
| 26 | Hawaii | 51.87 | 45 | 17 | 13 |
| 27 | South Carolina | 51.63 | 7 | 47 | 27 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | 51.37 | 6 | 31 | 37 |
| 29 | North Dakota | 51.36 | 11 | 7 | 47 |
| 30 | Oregon | 51.29 | 43 | 27 | 11 |
| 31 | Indiana | 51.06 | 20 | 14 | 39 |
| 32 | Kentucky | 50.37 | 18 | 29 | 35 |
| 33 | Missouri | 50.23 | 14 | 48 | 24 |
| 34 | Kansas | 49.79 | 13 | 15 | 46 |
| 35 | New Jersey | 49.49 | 41 | 11 | 31 |
| 36 | Mississippi | 49.45 | 3 | 41 | 38 |
| 37 | Alabama | 49.37 | 9 | 30 | 42 |
| 38 | West Virginia | 48.91 | 22 | 18 | 45 |
| 39 | Arkansas | 48.42 | 4 | 36 | 44 |
| 40 | Washington | 48.33 | 49 | 34 | 4 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 48.28 | 38 | 4 | 41 |
| 42 | Montana | 47.99 | 30 | 33 | 33 |
| 43 | New Mexico | 47.73 | 19 | 50 | 29 |
| 44 | Massachusetts | 47.69 | 47 | 8 | 22 |
| 45 | Vermont | 47.50 | 39 | 2 | 49 |
| 46 | Maryland | 47.37 | 40 | 38 | 19 |
| 47 | California | 46.56 | 50 | 43 | 1 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 41.67 | 46 | 23 | 43 |
| 49 | Delaware | 39.24 | 33 | 40 | 50 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | 37.66 | 48 | 19 | 48 |
Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.
- Lowest
- 1. Oklahoma
- 2. Mississippi
- 3. Arkansas
- 4. Louisiana
- 5. Texas
- Highest
- 46. Alaska
- 47. Oregon
- 48. Hawaii
- 49. Washington
- 50. California
- Lowest
- 1. Maine
- 2. Ohio
- 3. Michigan
- 4. Iowa
- 5. Wisconsin
- Highest
- 46. North Carolina
- 47. Georgia
- 48. California
- 49. Colorado
- 50. Connecticut
- Lowest
- 1. Arizona
- 2. Georgia
- 3. Nevada
- 4. Illinois
- 5. Arkansas
- Highest
- 44. Wisconsin
- 45. Connecticut
- 46. Vermont
- 47. Virginia
- 48. California
- Most
- 1. Vermont
- 2. New Hampshire
- 3. Idaho
- 4. West Virginia
- 5. Maine
- Fewest
- 46. California
- 47. Washington
- 48. Nevada
- 49. Colorado
- 50. New Mexico
- Highest %
- T-1. Alaska
- T-1. Hawaii
- T-1. California
- T-1. Florida
- T-1. Washington
- Lowest %
- 46. Alabama
- 47. Oklahoma
- 48. Kansas
- 49. Iowa
- 50. Illinois
- Most
- 1. Oregon
- 2. California
- 3. Utah
- 4. North Carolina
- 5. Washington
- Fewest
- 46. Wisconsin
- 47. Rhode Island
- 48. Hawaii
- 49. Delaware
- 50. Connecticut
In-Depth Look at the Best States for Summer Road Trips
Minnesota
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.
To top things off, taking a road trip isn’t overly expensive in Minnesota. The state has the 12th-lowest camping costs, and 11th-lowest 3-star hotel cost during mid-July. Its car repair costs also rank as the 13th-lowest in the nation.
Utah
Utah is the second-best state for summer road trips, thanks to its combination of breathtaking scenery, outdoor recreation, and safe driving conditions. The state ranks third in the country for access to scenic byways, giving travelers plenty of opportunities to enjoy unforgettable drives through striking natural landscapes.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do throughout the state, as Utah has the second-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation. It also has the fifth-largest number of national park recreation visitors per capita, reflecting the strong appeal of its national parks and outdoor attractions. In addition, Utah has the seventh-largest number of amusement and theme parks per capita, offering entertainment options for families and thrill-seekers alike.
Beyond its attractions, Utah also stands out for road safety and infrastructure. The state has the fourth-lowest number of traffic fatalities in the nation, along with the third-best bridge quality, helping provide smoother and safer travel experiences.
Louisiana
Louisiana is the third-best state for summer road trips, faring well when it comes to the number of available attractions, especially things like zoos, botanical gardens and amusement parks. There are plenty of things to make stops at for a day or even just a few hours while taking a road trip.
If you’re not planning to call it a night early, consider extending your stay, as Louisiana offers the second-highest number of nightlife activities in the country. With plenty of opportunities for evening entertainment and after-hours experiences, visitors will have no trouble finding ways to stay busy long after the sun goes down.
Scenery can make any road trip more memorable, and Louisiana offers plenty of picturesque routes for travelers to explore. The state ranks eighth in the country for access to scenic byways, giving road-trippers ample opportunities to enjoy beautiful drives and take in the unique landscapes along the way.
The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.
