On a road trip, the car is where you spend most of the holiday. The best road-trip cars are not necessarily the fastest or the most expensive; they are the ones in which you still feel fresh after six hours.
What makes a good road-trip car
Comfortable seats and a quiet cabin come first, followed by a supple ride that does not tire you on rough pavement. Range matters too: a car that goes 500 miles or more on a tank means fewer stops in remote areas. Luggage space should fit everyone’s bags without blocking the rear view, and good adaptive cruise control makes long highway stretches much less tiring.
Mid-size sedans and wagons (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Subaru Outback) combine comfort, economy and space well. Larger families or groups will find a minivan such as the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey hard to beat, and mid-size SUVs like the Toyota Highlander or Kia Telluride suit people who also need all-wheel drive or towing capacity.
Electric cars on long trips
Road trips in an electric car are entirely possible, but they need a bit more planning. Charging speed counts as much as range: a car that adds 150 miles in 20 minutes is easier on a trip than one with a bigger battery that charges slowly. Route planners such as A Better Routeplanner or the car’s own navigation can schedule stops for you. In winter, plan for reduced range.
Renting or driving abroad
When driving in another country, the right car is often a smaller one than you would choose at home: roads and parking spaces in many European towns are narrow, and fuel is expensive. Check whether you need an International Driving Permit (the US State Department’s driving abroad page explains when), confirm what the rental insurance covers, and learn the local rules on tolls, low-emission zones and required equipment such as warning triangles or high-visibility vests. If you fly to your destination, check the rules for items such as lighters in your luggage. Manual gearboxes are still common in rental fleets in Europe, so book an automatic in advance if you need one.
Prepare whatever you drive
Even the best car can let you down if it has not been checked. Look at tires, fluids, lights and wipers before setting off, pack an emergency kit, and know what your roadside assistance covers. Our checklist on preparing your car for a long drive walks you through it, and what to do if your car breaks down is worth reading before you leave.
Take a break every two hours or so, share the driving when you can, and plan overnight stops so nobody drives tired. A good car makes a trip easier; a sensible plan makes it safe.
