Want to get away on a summer road trip? Texas is the best state for that trip, according to a new study.
Texas comes in first, followed by Minnesota and New York, according to the study by personal finance website WalletHub. The study compared all 50 states based on 32 metrics in three categories: cost, safety and activities.
Wind farms dot the landscape along Interstate 40 in Texas, which a new study says is… (+) the best state for a summer road trip. (Photo: Paul Harris//Keynote USA/Getty Images)
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“Texas stands out for its wide range of attractions and scenic byways, offering plenty of stops like zoos, botanical gardens and amusement parks,” says Cassandra Happe, analyst and communications manager at WalletHub. “The state is affordable, boasting the second-cheapest three-star hotel rates and an impressive number of restaurants and accommodations per capita. “The extensive road network and rich Tex-Mex cuisine further enhance the road trip experience.”
Minnesota ranks second for summer road trips and is ideal for people who want to be outdoors, Happe says. According to the study, it has the fifth-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation and the fourth-highest spending on fairs and festivals per capita during the summer.
Driving in Minnesota is safer than in most other states, Happe says. The study finds that Minnesota has the third-fewest vehicle fatalities per million miles driven, the third-best quality of bridges and the ninth-lowest prevalence of speeding.
Compared to most other states, a road trip in Minnesota is a bargain. The state, according to the study, has the eighth-lowest camping cost, the 10th-lowest three-star hotel cost as of mid-July, the 12th-lowest gas price and the 13th-lowest auto repair cost.
The Minneapolis skyline is an integral part of Minnesota, which, according to a new study, is the… (+) No. 2 state in the country for a summer road trip. (Photo: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
UCG/Universal Images Group via /Keynote USA/Getty Images
New York is the third best state for summer road trips, largely due to a host of attractions and nightlife activities. It also ranks first, according to the study, in accommodation and restaurants per capita.
“One thing that’s especially unique about New York is that it has the second-most national historic landmarks per capita,” Happe says. “So, it’s easy to plan a fun road trip exploring the state’s rich history and how it has impacted our country, from George Washington‘s headquarters in Newburgh to the Empire State Building in New York City.”
New York, according to the study, has the third lowest proportion of uninsured drivers, the third most protective driving laws and the fourth lowest prevalence of phone use while driving.
Many motorists head to New England to see the fall foliage, but the study ranks three New England states (Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont) as bad for a summer road trip.
“Connecticut struggles with high costs for gas, car repairs and lodging, as well as congested and poor road quality,” Happe says. “Rhode Island faces challenges with relatively high gas prices and lodging expenses. “Vermont has high hotel costs and a limited number of attractions, making it less attractive for long road trips.”
The New England states, however, finish ahead of Delaware, the worst state for a summer road trip.
“Delaware ranks last because of its high costs, low safety rating and few attractions, making it an unattractive option for travelers,” Happe says.
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