Best Road Trip Cars for Your Summer (Or Anytime) Getaways

The Minivan Turns 35 - Happy Birthday to the People Mover
Older kids might not "need" the built-in DVD player that most minivans now have but the built-in entertainment comes in handy on road trips...when the scenery isn't this cool, that is. Photo: Scotty Reiss

We love to road trip. Dump the beach chairs, blankets, buckets of sunscreen and sand toys in the car and go. Don’t like your first planned destination? Find another. Crummy weather crops up? Change your destination. Want to leave early or stay longer? Go ahead–you’re not tied to airline schedules or luggage restrictions. When you road trip, your trip is entirely yours.

But, not all cars are road-trip worthy. Both gas-powered and electric cars can have their advantages and limitations. And, for those who love road trip travel, the right car can actually empower (or justify) more road trips, or trips to places you might not think of going otherwise.

Which are the best cars for road tripping? We asked our community of moms and road trip planners what their favorite cars are for both daily routines and road trip getaways, and this is what they told us. Here are the cars they recommend and why.

Chevrolet Tahoe

2025 Chevrolet Tahoe best road trip cars
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Why We Love the Chevy Tahoe As a Road Trip Car

The view from the driver's seat Chevy tahoe Best road trip car
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Subaru Outback

best cars for a road trip
Credit: Terri Marshall

Why We Love the Subaru Outback

2020 Subaru Outback
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Volkswagen Atlas

best road trip
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Why We Love the VW Atlas

The view from the drivers seat in the 2024 VW Atlas
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Toyota Sienna

Toyota Sienna minivan
Credit: Erica Mueller

Why We Love the Toyota Sienna

Drivers View in the Toyota Sienna Woodland Edition Photo: Holli Fourniquet
Credit: Holli Fourniquet

Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride. 8-passenger SUV
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Why We Love the Kia Telluride

A view of the front seat in the 2023 Kia Telluride one of the best cars for road trips
Credit: Scotty Reiss

Ford Mustang Mach-E

A blue Mustang Mach-E and a White - this is a great road trip car
Credit: Liv Leigh

Why We Love the Mustang Mach-E For Road Trips

Ford Mustang Mach E
Credit: Scotty Reiss
Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers ... More about Scotty Reiss
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