How to Choose the Best Car for Your Cross-Country Road Trip

by Howard Blount | May 27, 2016

(a 3 minute read)

Gas mileage, storage space, and extra features are all important considerations when purchasing a new vehicle for a cross-country road trip.

There is nothing quite like a cross-country road trip with your friends, your family, or even just by yourself. Before you roll the windows down, turn the radio up, and start rolling, make sure you’re driving the right kind of car for your trip.

Table of Contents

1 Think About Gas Mileage
2 Storage Space Is Important
3 Extra Features
4 We Would Love to Hear From You
5 Pin this Post!
6 Helpful Link

Think About Gas Mileage

Gas prices fluctuate often, sometimes daily, and vary by state and even city. If you’re going on a long road trip, you want to be sure the car you’re driving gets the best mileage possible. Consider both highway mileage and city mileage because you’re likely to be going from driving in little traffic to driving in start-and-stop traffic as you travel from one place to the next. The average vehicle gets about 25.1 miles per gallon, so use this as a baseline when deciding which car to use.

Storage Space Is Important

If you plan to be on the road for more than a few days, you need to be sure you have ample storage space. Think about who will be traveling with you. You’ll need enough space for everybody’s clothes and personal items, and you’ll probably want to bring a cooler to keep drinks and snacks readily available. If you’re traveling with children, think about how much space you’ll need for toys and other in-car entertainment, and remember to save room for supplies if you’re traveling with your dog.

Extra Features

If you are searching online or using a car model comparison app, don’t forget to read up on the extra features of potential vehicles. While they may not be a requirement, they can make the trip go more smoothly. Consider options such as GPS to help you route your trip or a high-end audio system for enjoying the perfect road trip playlist. If small children or easily bored adults will be passengers on the trip, consider a car with a Wi-Fi hotspot for social media and movie streaming.

Whether you’re going to be driving the scenic route for two days or two years, the right vehicle will make the trip that much more enjoyable. Don’t forget to test drive a few before making your decision.

Photos Credit: © Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We Would Love to Hear From You

Jerry and I enjoy dialogue with our readers, especially when they share road travel recommendations, including the vehicles they drive. So what features are you looking for when you purchase your next vehicle? We invite you to leave your comments and questions below, and we always respond!

Pin this Post!

Helpful Link

Car Model Comparison App

How to Choose the Best Car for Your Cross-Country Road Trip 1

Howard Blount is founder and co-owner of the travel web site Backroad Planet. He has traveled internationally since boyhood and lived abroad in Mexico, Chile, and Paraguay. Now his passion is navigating the roads-less-traveled of this amazing planet in search of anything rare and remote. On the stuffy side, “Mr. Blount” has been a writer, consultant, and published author with the likes of Simon & Schuster and McGraw-Hill. Recently retired from a 35-year career as a middle school teacher, Howard enjoys spending his time on anything that includes mountains, waterfalls, dachshunds, gospel choirs, books, restored classic movies on Blu-ray, HDTV, autumn, sandhill cranes, hot springs, Florida springs, rain and other gloomy weather, log cabins, cracker shacks, abandoned sites, unearthed history, genealogy, museums, documentaries, To Kill a Mockingbird, scenic and historical sites, castles, cathedrals, the Civil War, cold sheets, National and State Park Passports, quotes, the Rambos, Dionne Warwick, Steely Dan, Doobies, Diet Pepsi, Fish City Grill, anything Apple, all things British, Jesus, and lists. And on a random note, Howard is a fourth cousin once removed to Truman Capote.

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17 Comments

Daniel Jones on July 29, 2019 at 6:45 AM

Thanks for sharing so much information. Looking forward to going for a long drive real soon! 🙂
Reply
- Howard Blount on July 29, 2019 at 7:11 AM
  
  Pleasure, Daniel. Glad to help!
  Reply
Rick Lanning on October 19, 2018 at 1:30 PM

I’m doing a cross country as we speak. My ride is a 1970 VW camper named Mae Westy. Maryland to Cali on the back roads with an average speed of 45 MPH. Such an amazing journey.
#MaeWesty
Reply
- Howard Blount on October 19, 2018 at 2:16 PM
  
  Wow! That sounds awesome, Rick! I may or may not be just the tiniest bit envious. Safe travels, and keep us posted!
  Reply
Karin Nordlander on August 19, 2017 at 8:44 PM

After a huge elk decided to jump over my Toyota Solara as I tried to take a picture from the car, and broke my windshield (fortunately the grizzly bear went around my car), I did decide to buy a new car with airbags. Important: seat extension on driver seat so that legs are properly supported, lots of settings for back support. Very quiet so my dog companion can relax. He rides shotgun. Not many choices. Ended up with a Lexus F Sport. Love it. My dachshund loves it too. We have done 30,000 miles the first year. No muscle pains while driving! P.S. The elk was not injured and just ran into the woods across the street.
Reply
- Howard Blount on August 25, 2017 at 4:30 PM
  
  Wow! That is an amazing story, Karin! Thanks for sharing your valuable tips to consider when choosing the best car for epic road trips. Jerry used to own a Lexus and loved it.
  Reply
Bicycle Tours on August 2, 2017 at 4:29 AM

Hi Mr Howard

You are very knowledgeable person.

actually I never go on a road trips on car, I and my group always have bicycle tours. I have running a small community named as Bicycle Tours.

After seeing your picture, i would like to go for a road trip on car but I have some queries ,

Which car would be best for the trip and where should we go if with my family.

Please share your views. 🙂 🙂

M waiting
Reply
- Howard Blount on August 2, 2017 at 2:29 PM
  
  I like to road trip in an SUV. First time family roadtrippers should probably begin with a day trip to a nearby location.
  Reply
- Bicycle tours on August 8, 2017 at 12:44 AM
  
  Hey Mr. Howard
  
  Thanks for your suggestions buddy 🙂 🙂
  Reply
Francis on May 2, 2017 at 9:29 AM

These are some great tips here, and I like the fact that you include pictures in your post it makes it interesting. Very concise post.
Reply
- Howard Blount on May 2, 2017 at 9:31 AM
  
  Thanks, Francis!
  Reply
Jhon jaka on August 1, 2016 at 3:50 AM

Nice trip Mr.Howard
Reply
- Howard Blount on August 1, 2016 at 8:46 AM
  
  Thanks, Jhon!
  Reply
Morgan on June 21, 2016 at 1:45 PM

This is a great post! It’s so important to have the right vehicle to transport you around when you’re exploring the country. It really will make all the difference in the way your trip plays out! Nicely done!
Reply
- Howard on June 23, 2016 at 5:28 PM
  
  Thanks, Morgan!
  Reply
sagar on May 31, 2016 at 7:18 AM

Mr.Howard that seems really a interesting info about the cars and how one should choose it appropriately. Basically I always prefer a sport utility vehicle (SUV) whenever I plan for a trip.
These cars very comfortable for long route journey.
Keep posting
Cheers 🙂
Reply
- Howard on June 2, 2016 at 3:29 AM
  
  Thanks, Sagar! I agree. We love SUVs, too, when roadtripping.
  Reply