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The 20 Best Road Trip Cars For Going The Distance


The 20 Best Road Trip Cars For Going The Distance


Some Cars Just Scream For The Open Road

When choosing the right car for your family, there are many things to consider, especially if taking long excursions is on the agenda. You need a reliable, fuel-efficient machine that you're not going to hate to dive for hours or days on end. Oh, and don't forget all the cargo room you're going to need for all of your toys, whether it's skis, mountain bikes, backpacking gear, or all three. The right ride can turn your trip from a slog to an incredible adventure. Here are the 20 best road trip cars for going the distance in style and comfort.

white bmw m 3 on roadCarter Baran on Unsplash


1. Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback has long been a favorite of adventurers and daily commuters alike. It has all-wheel drive capabilities, ample cargo space, is a comfortable ride, and is fuel efficient, making those long hours on the road feel like a breeze.

A man walking down a snow covered road next to a carMichael Kahn on Unsplash

2. Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is known for being an excellent road trip car because of its spacious interior, intuitive infortainment system, and excellent fuel economy. The hybrid model gets an impressive 38 miles per gallon on the highway making it ideal for long-distance travel. 

a black toyota rav parked in the woodsGino Marcelo Hernandez Sanchez on Unsplash

3. Mazda CX-70 PHEV

The Mazda CX-70 plug-in hybrid is surprisingly luxurious for an SUV, making those long drives feel downright pleasant. It boasts a comfortable interior made with quality materials, generous cargo space for baggage, and excellent handling.

File:2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus (United States) front view.pngMotor1 on Wikimedia

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4. Chevrolet Suburban

If you don't mind spending a bit more on gas and you have a bit family, you can't get much better than the Chevrolet Suburban for long roadtrips. It's ridiculously spacious and comfortable for the whole family, has incredible cargo space, and even the fuel economy isn't too shabby for a car that size, getting around 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

a car parked in a garageMichael Satterfield on Unsplash

5. Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagon Atlas is full of the creature comforts you want when you're embarking on longer trips. It's a smooth ride with plenty of legroom, decent furl economy, and towing capabilities so you can even bring your toys. 

File:VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS TERAMONT China.jpgDinkun Chen on Wikimedia

6. Tesla Model 3

If you're looking for a medium-sized EV that can go the distance, the Tesla Model 3 is your best bet. It has a range of up to 363 miles and an impressively fast charging time. What's more, it has all the advanced comfort and driver assistance technology you'd expect from such a forward-thinking company.

white sedan parked beside mountain during daytimeCharlie Deets on Unsplash

7. Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival was designed with long journeys in mind. With the back seats folded down, it provides 145 cubic feet of cargo space, making it perfect for if you travel with a lot of gear. There's also a newly-introduced hybrid version that gets an average of 33 miles per gallon. 

a grey suv parked on the side of a road near the oceanHyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

8. Ford Mustang

The Mustang might not be the most practical choice in terms of furl economy, but if we're talking about cars that were built for the open road, we couldn't not mention it. The new models are surprisingly comfortable, with enough cargo space, and a powerful engine that just loves to be ripped down empty highways.

Harrison HainesHarrison Haines on Pexels

9. Chrysler Pacifica

Accommodating up to eight passengers with 243 different seating configurations, the Pacifica is the perfect option for large families. With ample legroom, lumbar pillows, and tri-zone climate control, it was designed with passenger comfort in mind. It's also fairly fuel efficient for a car of its size, getting around 28 miles per gallon.

File:CHRYSLER PACIFICA (RU) China.jpgDinkun Chen on Wikimedia

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10. Kia Telluride

The Telluride is known for its spaciousness, comfort, and advanced features that make it an ideal car for road trips. It has an upscale, luxurious-feelig interior, impressive cargo capacity, and competitive fuel economy for its class as well as Smart Cruise Control and Collision-Avoidance Assist to help give you peace of mind during those tiresome legs. 

a car driving on a dirt roadHyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

11. Mercedes-Benz GLE

For the luxury-loving road trippers, it doesn't get much better than the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The seats are equipped with a massage function, giving you and your passengers some relief during those long journeys. The premium features come at a heftier price, but for drivers that want to be spoiled, it'll be worth every penny.

File:Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC IMG 1288.jpgAlexander-93 on Wikimedia

12. Audi Q7

Another stellar luxury option built for long roadrips is the Audi Q7. Equipped with four-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof for taking in the sights, it not only makes your roadtrips do-able, but enjoyable. 

black Audi Q7 SUV on roadEduardo Flores on Unsplash

13. Hyundai Ioniq 5

One of the best EVs on the market, the award-winning Ioniq 5 boasts an impressive range, making long-distance commutes on a single charge possible. The interior is also spacious and comfortable, complete with a panoramic sunroof, adjustable seats, and ample cargo space.

Black suv on a snowy road.Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

14. Mini Cooper Countryman

The not-so-mini Mini Cooper Countryman is everything you love int he classic cooper but maxi-sized. It offers 25 cubic feet of cargo (56 with the rear seats folded down), a modern and high-quality infotainment system, and agile all-wheel drive capability.

a black minivan parked on the side of the roadReinhart Julian on Unsplash

15. Honda Civic

Yet another thing the Civic excels at is road trips. While not as spacious as an SUV, it has exceptional fuel efficiency, offers a smooth and comfortable ride, a surprising amount of cargo space, and advanced safety features. 

gray Honda sedan parked on road during dayTopSphere Media on Unsplash

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16. Hyundai Palisade

I similar concept to the Chevy Suburban but a little less massive (and less expensive), the Palisade is a standout choice for roadtrips, especially for families. The cargo capacity as well as the seating room is generous, it offers a smooth and comfortable ride, state-of-the-art infortainment system, and great value for the base sub-$40,000 price tag.

a car parked on a roadHyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

17. BMW X5

The BMW X5 is one of the most refined options in its class. It blends luxury features with practicality, offering generous cargo space and a powerful engine with decent fuel economy. 

black mercedes benz g classMr Dibo on Unsplash

18. Genesis G90

One of the top-rated road trip cars, the Genesis G90 combines all the lavish comfort you'd expect from a luxury sedan with performance and reliability. It has an incredibly spacious cabin, front seats with a massage feature, three-zone climate control, power-adjustability on all seats, and a smooth and quiet ride. 

Hyundai Motor GroupHyundai Motor Group on Pexels

19. Toyota Highlander

The Highlander is one of the most reliable and fuel efficient SUVs on the market. The 243 horsepower hybrid engine gets an impressive 31 miles per gallon. It's also incredibly spacious, comfortable, smooth, and has advanced Driver Assist features. 

black audi a 4 on road during daytimeGabriel Tovar on Unsplash

20. Volkswagen Tiguan

With a price tag in the $30,000 range, the Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the best budget-friendly options with the capacity to take you far. It boasts wonderful fuel economy, a spacious and comfortable interior including ample cargo space, and advanced safety features. 

a white car parked in front of a gated buildingDavid Moffatt on Unsplash




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