Minnesota Is the first-Best State for Summer Road Trips

Nearly 72% of American adults are planning some kind of road trip this year, with more than one-third expected to take more than one trip. However, choosing the right destination and staying within budget can be challenging. The national average for gas prices is still above $4.00 per gallon, and that's far from the only cost travelers have to consider.

“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,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the way. The best states for summer road trips keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities.”

In-Depth Look at Minnesota

Minnesota demonstrates it's one of the best states for a summer road trip by posting the second-lowest number of traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. It also has the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita during the summer months and the fourth-highest state and local spending on parks and recreation per capita.

However, Minnesota has room for improvement in other areas. For example, the state has the fourth-fewest vacation rentals per capita. In addition, it has the 10th-fewest national historic landmarks per capita.

How Minnesota Ranks in Key Categories

• 16th for costs
• Third for safety
• 20th for activities

This puts Minnesota in first place out of the 50 states in WalletHub's study. It takes the top spot because it ranks in the top half of the country in all three categories and does especially well with safety. Many other states rank in the bottom half of the nation in at least one of the three categories.

Best Summer Road-Trip Destinations

The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.