This Southern State Is No. 1 for Affordable Road Trips

Summer is coming, and that means it’s the perfect time to take a road trip. And there are literally hundreds of options out there—but one unexpected destination was just named the best.

Travel deal publisher Dunhill Travel Deals recently conducted a study to find the best and most affordable road trips throughout the continental U.S. For its analysis, it considered several affordability metrics, such as hotel rates, gas prices, the cost of everyday expenses, as well as access to things like national parks, arts and culture attractions, and other kinds of entertainment businesses. It sourced its data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Census Bureau, Construction Coverage (a construction insurance firm), and more.

After looking at all the factors, it found that Mississippi was the best and most affordable place to take a road trip in the U.S.

“Ranked as the best overall state for a budget-friendly road trip, Mississippi combines low travel costs with rich cultural and natural attractions,” Dunhill Travels Deals wrote in its report.

The company also noted that in Mississippi, travelers can explore parts of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile historic corridor once used by Native Americans that runs through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. 

Alternatively, drivers could take a trip on the Great River Road, an official National Scenic Byway which follows the Mississippi River. The Magnolia State is also known for its deep music history, and visitors can check out places like Tupelo (the birthplace of Elvis) as well as the Delta, the birthplace of the blues.

Other affordable destinations include Arkansas and Oklahoma, places that let road warriors to save on gas and lodgings. Generally, states in the center and south of the country ranked among the highest for affordability, while coastal and western states tended to be more expensive overall.

California (perhaps unsurprisingly) has the highest gas prices in the country, along with a high cost of living that is 12 percent more than the average. However, California also has the highest number of visitors to its National Parks, as well as a high density of arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses.

After Mississippi, the top five best and most affordable road trip destinations round out with Arkansas at No. 2, followed respectively by North Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

For the full list and analysis, visit dunhilltraveldeals.com.