The best states for summer road trips

The top 10 states for a summer road trip

Each state offers unique advantages for road trips. Some stand out for their affordability, like West Virginia, Iowa and North Dakota. Others are packed with activities and scenic beauty, like New Hampshire and Vermont.

Even though we only analyzed the continental U.S., Alaska is also worth considering (if you can afford it). Kelly and Jonathan Welch of the Road Trip Locals blog say visiting the national parks of the Last Frontier was one of their all-time favorite road trip experiences. “Another top contender is driving through Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks in one epic loop,” Kelly Welch said.

1. New Hampshire

67.25 out of 100 points

New Hampshire is the best state for road trips thanks in large part to lots of theme parks, restaurants, national monuments, and state or national parks.

If you happen to be one of the many millennials who prefer pets to children, driving the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest is a must-do. Kelly and Jonathan Welch say the forest has one of their all-time favorite dog-friendly hiking trails. Just confirm your planned stops are pet-friendly before you go. Kelly told us some national parks have strict rules about pets on trails.

Here’s how New Hampshire earned its ranking:

• No. 1 for theme parks: 1.01 per 100,000 people
• No. 2 for state/national parks and national monuments: 6.70 per 100,000 people
• No. 3 for hiking trails: 169.91 per 100,000 people
• No. 4 for campgrounds: 11.82 per 100,000 people

2. Vermont

64.60 out of 100 points

Vermont is known for having relatively good road conditions. It also has gorgeous scenery, interesting historical sites and the highest number of electric vehicle (EV) charging ports per 100,000 people. We suggest taking the Scenic Route 100 Byway, sometimes called “Vermont’s Main Street,” this summer before it gets more congested during leaf-peeping season in the fall. Historic Route 7A, the Stone Valley Byway and other scenic routes are worth exploring, too.

Here’s how Vermont earned its ranking:

• No. 1 for state/national parks and national monuments: 8.52 per 100,000 people
• No. 1 for EV charging ports: 183.80 per 100,00 people
• No. 2 for museums: 5.58 per 100,000 people
• No. 4 for hiking trails: 156.06 per 100,000 people

3. Montana

59.24 out of 100 points

If national parks, camping and hiking trails are your thing, consider the wide open road in Big Sky Country. Montana has some of the least congested roads in the country.

Still, you should definitely buckle up and stay alert on the road. Montana is the state with the worst teen drivers and the worst drivers overall. You should also look out for drivers with road rage while passing through.

Here’s how Montana earned its ranking:

• No. 1 for museums: 5.88 per 100,000 people
• No. 2 for hotels: 54.57 per 100,000 people
• No. 3 for campgrounds: 16.11 per 100,000 people
• No. 4 for state/national parks and national monuments: 5.43 per 100,000 people
• No. 5 for hiking trails: 148.14 per 100,00 people

4. Iowa

57.81 out of 100 points

Iowa is a relatively cheap place to have really unique adventures. For instance, off-roaders looking for a new thrill can explore the state’s rural “B” roads. These unpaved (or minimally maintained) backroads feel like secret paths that only locals know. They are also popular with photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Here’s how Iowa earned its ranking:

• No. 4 for cheapest average hotel rate: $113 per night
• No. 7 for museums: 3.04 per 100,000 people
• No. 6 for road mileage: 345.88 per 100 million miles driven
• No. 10 for gas stations: 52.07 per 100,000 people

5. North Dakota

57.18 out of 100 points

Don’t let the state’s nickname fool you. The Roughrider State has plenty of smooth, open roads, including the Enchanted Highway, famous for its massive, whimsical scrap metal sculptures. Painted canyons, wild bison and prairie dog towns also make it a fun state to drive around.

North Dakota is perfect for RVers and van drivers wanting to stretch their legs and miles. Or, if you prefer indoor accommodations, you’ll be happy to find the country’s cheapest average hotel rates.

Here’s how North Dakota earned its ranking:

• No. 1 for cheapest average hotel rate: $107 per night
• No. 1 for road mileage: 893.77 per 100 million miles driven
• No. 3 for hotels: 43.63 per 100,000 people
• No. 7 for gas stations: 55.94 per 100,000 people

6. West Virginia

56.70 out of 100 points

It's no surprise that West Virginia ranks among the best states for road trips — John Denver wouldn't mislead us about something as important as country roads. Seneca Skyway, Capitol Circle, Cranberry Corridor, Birdeye Bend and Heritage Highway are some of the most iconic routes. Wild and wonderful West Virginia is also affordable: The state has a very low cost-of-living index overall and relatively cheap hotels.

Here’s how West Virginia earned its ranking:

• No. 4 for cheapest average hotel rate: $113 per night 
• No. 5 for fewest car thefts: 77.50 per 100,000 people
• No. 6 for gas stations: 57.05 per 100,000 people

7. Kentucky

56.57 out of 100 points

Kentucky — the state with the highest number of scenic byways of any state on our list — offers a mix of natural beauty and eclectic small-town charm. With activities like zip-lining, rock climbing and cave tours, plus live music festivals, bourbon tastings and historical sites, there truly is something for everyone. It’s easily accessible from most Eastern and Midwestern states. However, a potential downside is that Kentucky has relatively few EV charging ports.

Here’s how Kentucky earned its ranking:

• No. 1 for number of scenic byways: 37
• No. 9 for cheapest average gas price: $2.81 per gallon

8. Nebraska

56.51 out of 100 points

If you're craving solitude, authenticity and scenery without the crowds, Nebraska might be the place for you. It's underappreciated but captivating, especially for slow travelers and lovers of the wide open road. You can also take plenty of interesting detours, including on the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway and to Toadstool Geologic Park.

Here’s how Nebraska earned its ranking:

• No. 4 for road mileage: 449.22 per 100 million miles driven
• No. 6 for state/national parks and national monuments: 3.92 per 100,000 people
• No. 6 for cheapest average hotel rate: $115 per night

9. South Dakota

55.34 out of 100 points

South Dakota has a ton of open roads and campgrounds to explore this summer. Badlands Loop Road offers sweeping views, pull-off overlooks and easy access to hiking trails in a surreal, otherworldly landscape. The Black Hills are another high-reward destination on any road trip in the western part of the state.

Here’s how South Dakota earned its ranking:

• No. 2 for campgrounds: 16.13 per 100,000 people
• No. 3 for gas stations: 66.50 per 100,000 people
• No. 4 for theme parks: 0.78 per 100,000 people
• No. 4 for hotels: 43.04 per 100,000 people

10. Wyoming

54.45 out of 100 points

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are perennial favorites for road trippers. Wyoming is known for its beautiful, rugged landscape as well as unpredictable weather patterns. The good news is that the state has some of the better road conditions in the country. Still, you should take time to plan and prepare.

Here’s how Wyoming earned its ranking:

• No. 1 for hiking trails: 180.25 per 100,000 people
• No. 1 for campgrounds: 25.70 per 100,000 people
• No. 1 for hotels: 72.10 per 100,000 people
• No. 3 for museums: 4.31 per 100,000 people

The best and worst states for road trips

New Hampshire ranks as the best state for summer road trips, scoring well in activities and scenery, accessibility, and safety. California ranks as the worst state for summer road trips due to its unaffordability and lower accessibility score. Explore the rankings below to see which state might be the best fit for your next road trip.

Tips for a successful (and fun) road trip

There’s something inherently freeing about the open road: windows down, your favorite playlist cranked up and the potential for a new adventure around every corner. But the best road trips aren't just spontaneous. Wherever you’re headed, these expert-approved tips will help you save money, stay safe and — most importantly — enjoy the journey.

1. Plan your route, but stay flexible

Planning a general route and schedule is smart, but some of the best travel moments come from the unexpected. “On the road, make sure you're taking advantage of every mile so you can see as much as possible on as little gas as possible,” Kelly Welch said.

If your journey includes a must-see destination, take a few extra minutes to research nearby attractions. “You’ll often uncover hidden gems or free stops you wouldn’t have found otherwise,” Welch said. For example, roadside oddities, scenic trails and local festivals are the impromptu discoveries that can make a trip truly memorable.

2. Consider your budget

Hiking, exploring small towns, visiting scenic overlooks, checking out quirky roadside attractions and stopping at free museums and parks are cheap ways to fill your itinerary. To stretch your dollars further, consider using a travel rewards credit card that offers bonus points on gas or hotel stays.

One of the best money-saving tips for those who love road tripping to national parks is getting an America the Beautiful pass. For $80, you can get into all the U.S. national parks and other federal recreational lands for a year. “It pays for itself after just a few park visits,” Kelly told us. Kelly and Jonathan also save money by packing their own food (think grocery store picnics, PB&Js and simple camp meals) instead of eating out for each meal.

3. Get the car ready

Keep an eye on your gas, engine temperature and tire pressure gauges during your trip.

Nothing derails a great road trip faster than unexpected car trouble. “Before any big road trip, we always get an oil and filter change, rotate our tires and top off all fluids,” Kelly told us. Having a solid auto warranty and car insurance is also important in case something goes wrong.

The Welches’ car emergency kit always includes jumper cables, a flashlight, first aid supplies, basic tools and a moving blanket, which can be “surprisingly helpful if you need to cover gear during an overnight pit stop,” Welch said. If your vehicle does break down, AAA representative Jim Lardear advises to “stay with it and wait for help to arrive.”

Methodology

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team evaluated the continental U.S. states across weighted metrics in four categories to determine the best states for summer road trips. Alaska and Hawaii were excluded for accessibility reasons. The top-performing state in each metric received the highest possible score, with all other states assigned relative scores. We then combined the scores to calculate an overall score out of 100 points. The four categories and their respective metrics are listed below.

• Affordability (35 points): This category includes each state’s average gas price as of April 28, 2025 (15 points), average nightly hotel price in 2024 (10) and average cost of living index for 2024 (10). Data is from AAA, the U.S. General Services Administration and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
• Activities and scenery (30 points): This category accounts for the number of national parks, state parks and national monuments per 100,000 people (10 points); number of scenic byways (8); number of restaurants per 100,000 people (3); number of museums per 100,000 people (3); number of theme parks per 100,000 people (3) and number of hiking trails per 100,000 people (3). Data is from the National Park Service, National Association of State Park Directors, National Park Trips, Scenic America, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and AllTrails.
• Safety (20 points): The safety category measures the total traffic fatality rate per 100,000 people in 2023 (6 points), car theft rate per 100,000 people in 2024 (6), road quality (4) and average number of monthly rainy days from June through August 2024 (4). Data is from the NHTSA, the Insurance Information Institute, the ConsumerAffairs report “States with the worst (and best) road conditions” and Weather Spark.
• Accessibility (15 points): This category includes miles of roads per 100 million miles driven in 2023 (3 points), number of gas stations per 100,000 people in 2024 (3), number of hotels per 100,000 people in 2024 (3), number of electric vehicle charging stations per 100,000 people as of April 28, 2025 (3) and number of campgrounds per 100,000 people in 2024 (3). Data is from the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Questions?

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact rsowell@consumeraffairs.com.