There is no inappropriate time of year to take a trip. But when it comes to organizing a spectacular road trip, there’s something about summer that makes it feel even more ideal. Maybe you’re finally trying to get to some of the famous national parks you’ve always wanted to see. Perhaps you’re simply attempting to avoid the recent airport delays and cancellations.
Perhaps you simply enjoy the sense of having the windows down on an open road as you go to your next destination. Whatever your motivation, you must conduct research and plan your itinerary before embarking on your journey. According to some recent research, some states are considerably more suitable for road trips than others.
To gain a better understanding of which states for summer road trips, the personal finance website WalletHub gathered data from all 50 on 32 critical variables, including the number of picturesque byways and notable landmarks, as well as road conditions and average gas costs.
They then assessed each on a 100-point scale, with 100 points being a perfect score, and calculated each state’s weighted average across all metrics to get the ranking. Read on to find out the best states for summer road trips, according to WalletHub data.
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1. Florida
In terms of the data collected for this survey, Florida is a land of extremes. In terms of safety, Sunshine State ranks bottom. However, it does admirably in other areas, tied for the top place with four other states in total areas designated as national parkland and ranking second in the activities category.
2. Idaho
Idaho receives the highest scores for safety, ranking third overall, despite having the fourth-highest rate of car thefts per capita. It also ranks twentieth in the activities category.
3. North Carolina
Anyone looking for non-stop natural beauty may try taking a road trip across North Carolina. The state ranks fourth in the nation for the number of scenic byways and eighth in the nation for recreational opportunities. Perhaps the fact that the state includes much of the Blue Ridge Parkway—which was the National Park System’s most visited site in 2021 with a headcount of 15.9 million, according to the National Park Service—also contributes to its high position.
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4. Wyoming
Wyoming is the second least expensive state to camp in, which is not surprising given that it is home to the bulk of Yellowstone National Park. It also has an excellent safety rating, ranking 12th overall in the country.
5. Texas
When it comes to road trips, the state with the second-largest population does not disappoint. Despite a rather mediocre safety ranking of No. 38 overall, Texas ranks fourth in the nation for activities and only 18th in prices.
6. Ohio
According to WalletHub’s statistics, Ohio ranks first in the nation for the lowest average cost of auto repairs, which is something you want to avoid on any road trip. Aside from that, it ranks an excellent 12th in the expenses area and 16th in activities.
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7. Maine
Fresh lobster rolls, anyone? Maine tops the safety rankings in the United States. However, it is worth mentioning that the state continues to rank second in terms of car theft rates per capita.
8. New York
Whether you’re driving to the Big Apple or exploring the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, New York has something for everyone this summer. The Empire State is ranked seventh overall in safety and third in activities, making it the best state for a driving vacation.
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9. Louisiana
If you want to save money, Louisiana may be one of your best options. According to the statistics, Louisiana ranks second in the nation for cheap expenses. It also ranks highly in the activities category, at tenth overall.
10. Minnesota
It may be known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but based on these important road trip data factors, things don’t look so bad on land in Minnesota. Minnesota ranks eighth and fifth overall in terms of cost and safety.
