With nearly 80% of U.S. adults saying they will take some sort of road trip this summer, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips.
To help travelers plan a fun and wallet-friendly road trip, WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states based on 32 key metrics. The data set ranges from the number of attractions to road conditions to costs.
WalletHub’s road trip report found that New York ranks 1st nationally for summer driving, and you can find out why below.
Road Tripping in New York (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- 1st – Number of Attractions
- 14th – Lowest Price of Three-Star Hotel Room
- 3rd – Nightlife Options per Capita
- 1st – Vehicle Miles Traveled per Capita
- 6th – Car Thefts per Capita
- 14th – Access to Scenic Byways
- 28th – Lowest Price of Camping
- 1st – Driving Laws Rating
- 9th – Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled
Do you have any budget-saving tips for those looking to hit the open road?
“With hotel prices back to pre-pandemic levels (and higher) as travel demand spikes, it is worth one's while to plan ahead and explore accommodation options before the trip and not just wing accommodation while on the road. Also, if one is flexible, then traveling during off-peak times – weekdays, not during peak school vacation, etc. – can help get some really good rates on accommodation and better experiences in restaurants and destinations that are otherwise packed. For meals, making sure to carry food that can help keep the hunger at bay for as long as possible (avocados, nuts, trail mixes, etc.) can help cut down on that extra meal, which, over multiple days, can add up. Finally, given these extremely high gas prices, using an app (like Gasbuddy or Waze) to track the best places to fill up can help ease the burden on the wallet, particularly if the road trip is longer.”
Makarand Mody, Ph.D. – Associate Professor; Director of Research; Chair of Undergraduate Programs (Interim), Boston University School of Hospitality Administration
“Loyalty programs and credit card discounts can save money at the pump. Investigate offers available in your area, at your destination, and en route. For those flying, book as early as possible. Early morning and sometimes late-night flights are often cheaper because those flight times are less popular. If more than one airport services the area, check them all out when you compare fares. Prices can vary dramatically. Avoid purchasing food and beverages in airports. The prices charged are among the highest you will pay anywhere.”
Robert Hartwig – Director, Risk and Uncertainty Management Center; Clinical Associate Professor, University of South Carolina