5 Best Cars To Drive on a Road Trip

Though summer is winding down, there’s still plenty of time to explore the open road. From off-season beach trips to cross-country drives, you can still enjoy a good ol’ fashioned road trip. But when it comes to heavy duty travel, some cars are better than others — and picking the right vehicle could help you save money on the trip.

GOBankingRates took a look at some of the best rated cars for road trips, so start your engines. 

• Cost: $34,050 new

U.S. News & World Report (USN) has high praise for this durable hybrid, not only because of how reliable it is, or even because of its formidable fuel efficiency — the publication also shouts out its more comfortable features as ideal for long trips.

 “A 7-inch touch screen, smartphone connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot and four USB ports come standard to keep everyone powered up and entertained,” wrote automotive expert Kristen Hall-Geisler.

• Cost: $36,985

If you like to take long camping trips, then USN has the perfect car for you. The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas comes with plenty of cargo space, and it’s a sturdy number that can tow up to 5,000 pounds — making it a perfect way to haul a small camper or even some jet skis or other toys for a vacation at the lake.

• Cost: $59,200

The Chevy Suburban is considered a classic of American road trips, and for good reason. Known for having more cargo space than most of its competitors, the Suburban can seat up to nine people, as well. Between the 8-inch touch screen, wireless smartphone connectivity and six USB ports, there are plenty of ways to keep everyone entertained.

This car can also tow up to 8,300 pounds, enabling you to bring a camper with you wherever you’re headed. Features like lane-departure warnings and lane-keep assists also make it a good companion for a long trip.

• Cost: $33,600

Easy to clean on the inside, the Kia Carnival may be one of the best vehicles you could find for traveling with kids. It also comes equipped with seven USB ports to keep everyone occupied and safety features like lane-keep assist and blind spot monitoring that will help you and your most precious cargo arrive safely. 

• Cost: $53,425

The Pacifica Hybrid comes with a lot of tech to make a long drive feel like a breeze, including  10.1-inch touch screen, wireless smartphone connectivity and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It also can carry you for up to 32 miles on electric power. Major storage space and features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and rain-sensing windshield wipers make this car perfect for long trips.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note some photos are for illustrative purposes only and might not feature exact models, base models or the cars’ specific trim levels.