Summertime is the perfect time to see this great country by hitting the open road. That may sound like fun, but finding cheap gas, affordable food and lodging, and activities the whole family will enjoy can be a challenge.
The rising price of gas alone might give even the most hardened road warriors cause for concern. CNBC reports that the national average rose 67 cents between January 1 and May 4. The U.S. Travel Association says that accommodations, activities and dining each contribute to the more than $761 billion spent on leisure travel every year.
Not to worry: WalletHub has offered some guidance if you are among the 53 percent of nearly 100 million Americans AAA reports are planning a family vacation by taking a road trip this summer. The personal finance website compared all U.S. states across three key areas—costs, safety and activities—to find the most fun, scenic and wallet-friendly road trip destinations.
The personal finance website noted that 53 percent of U.S. families who intend to travel this summer are planning to do so via road trips.
Here, in ascending order, are WalletHub’s top 10 best summer road trips of 2019.
10. Wisconsin
Wisconsin has the second-lowest price of camping and the fourth-lowest price of car repairs, but is in a three-way tie for 46th place for the number of scenic byways. The state ranks eighth in cost and safety, and 31st in activities.
9. Utah
From red-rock towers to Caribbean-blue lakes, Utah offers visitors plenty of eye candy. The state is tied for third place with Oregon for most scenic byways. Utah ranks 12th in activities, 18th in safety, and 22nd in costs.
8. Oregon
Oregon is a sister state to Utah, with both tied for third place with most scenic byways. Oregon ranks sixth for activities, 10th for safety, and 39th for costs.
7. Louisiana
Road warriors can afford to sightsee in the Big Easy: The state has the second-lowest gas prices in the country. Louisiana ranks second in costs, 11th in activities, but 40th in safety.
6. New York
The Big Apple has the third-fewest car thefts per capita in the country. New York ranks second in activities, fourth in safety, but 48th in costs, for a total score of 55.44.
5. Texas
Past meets present in Texas, where visitors can see the historic Alamo Mission in San Antonio one day, then NASA’s Space Center Houston the next. Texas ranks fourth in costs, seventh in activities, but 42nd in safety.
4. Virginia
Virginia is in fifth place with the lowest price of camping. Virginia ranks 12th in safety and 16th in both costs and activities.
3. Minnesota
Minnesota is an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal vacation destination. The state ranks third in safety, 19th in activities and 25th in costs.
2. Wyoming
Wyoming is in first place with the lowest cost of camping in the country. The state ranks first in costs, 19th in safety and 20th in activities.
1. North Carolina
North Carolina is tied with California for most scenic byways. The state ranks eighth in activities, ninth in costs and 30th in safety.
The full report can be viewed here.
