The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
The resurgence of the American road trip has led travelers to explore domestic destinations, with vehicle choice playing a key role in trip enjoyment.
Recommended vehicles vary by trip type, including sporty convertibles for coastal drives, spacious SUVs for cross-country journeys, and rugged options for off-road or snowy conditions.
Selecting the right car enhances comfort, safety and the overall travel experience, especially when considering terrain and weather.
Rental car insurance options are available, with some credit cards providing primary coverage for rentals of up to 31 days.
What to consider
Primary rental car insurance from some credit cards can spare you from filing claims with your personal insurer, but is only valid for rentals of 31 days or less.
Damage waivers from rental companies typically come at an extra daily cost.
Vehicle suitability depends on your route, weather and planned activities, so assess your needs before booking.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed recommendations for matching specific vehicle types to various road trip scenarios, including comfort, safety and adventure factors.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
One of the not-necessarily unpredictable but perhaps unintended consequences of the coronavirus pandemic is the rediscovery of the great American road trip.
After borders around the world closed for foreign visitors, Americans who typically crossed oceans for their big vacations were forced to look for travel opportunities closer to home.
Fortunately, we live in one of the most spectacular countries on earth, with wide-open spaces, awe-inspiring scenery, a national park system that is the envy of the world and a truly impressive variety of regional culture and cuisine -- made accessible thanks in no small part to the vast system of interstate highways constructed in the 20th century.
With the pandemic forcing hundreds of thousands of workers out of their cubicles and back into their home offices, people hit the road in droves, eager to explore this beautiful land of ours. RV rentals became a hot commodity, with some even ditching their homes to live on the road full-time.
International travel may be making its comeback this summer, but for plenty of Americans, the good old-fashioned road trip -- with its promise of the open road and the discovery of someplace new -- is calling.
But what's a road trip without a suitable car? With so many automobiles to choose from for your next adventure, we wanted to highlight some of the very best options for any type of road trip.
For a coastal or island drive: Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang. (Photo by Blaine Harrington III/Getty Images)
Picture yourself driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California or along the ocean in Hawaii, top-down, music turned up. It's hard not to see yourself driving a Mustang. Ford's pony car is one of the most emblematic symbols of Americana ever to exist. Conceived in the 1960s, it instantly became a hit for anyone looking for an affordable car went fast and turned a lot of heads in the process. The Mustangs of the past have become classics, but today's version is a thoroughly modern vehicle that's hard to beat for good-weather cruising.
The standard Mustang is no slouch: It comes equipped with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 310 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. But if you really want to have fun carving the curves of a long and winding coastal highway, splurge for the GT convertible, which comes with a 5.0-liter V8 producing 460 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, which is sure to put a smile on your sun-kissed face.
For a cross-country adventure: Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90. (Photo by tunart/Getty Images)
If you're setting out on a cross-country road trip, comfort is key. You'll want a vehicle that's quiet, efficient, spacious, equipped with enough creature comforts to keep you and your companions entertained, isn't bothered by the wide range of pavement quality we have in this country and, perhaps most importantly of all, has comfortable seats.
Volvo's flagship SUV, the XC90, has all of that and more. It's roomy enough for you and your friends or family -- and all your things. Plus, it comes packed to the gills with the latest in automotive technology including a touchscreen-based entertainment system and top-notch stereo systems. Its solid build quality guarantees you'll have a comfortable ride, even over the pothole-ridden roads found in parts of the country (looking at you, upper Midwest). And, last but certainly not least, the Swedish automaker is known for producing arguably the best seats in the automotive industry -- on some trim levels, you can even opt for seats that massage you as you drive.
For snowy roads: Audi A4 Allroad
The Audi A4 Allroad. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)
If you're road-tripping in the winter -- or somewhere that sees snow almost year-round -- you're going to want a vehicle that's as sure-footed in the snow and slush as it is on dry pavement. The Audi A4 Allroad is a lifted version of its A4 Avant station wagon that offers extra inches of ground clearance, perfect for snowy roadways. But the main feature that make this elevated wagon a force to be reckoned with in the snow is its standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which allows the car to plod through rain, snow and slush with ease. (Of course, if you're driving on mountain roads with deep, heavy snow we'd recommend fitting the tires -- of any vehicle -- with chains for extra confidence.)
And, since this is more or less a station wagon, you'll have extra room for everyone and their things married with the driving dynamics of a car. The Allroad's four-cylinder turbocharged engine means you won't be stopping too often for gas, either.
For tackling all types of terrain: Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler. (Photo by Monica Garza Maldonado/Getty Images)
You can't do much better than a Jeep Wrangler if you're looking for a vehicle that will go anywhere and do (just about) anything. This iconic American truck comes in two- and four-door configurations and offers such options as a removable roof and doors for serious off-roading. The Wrangler comes with a true 4x4 four-wheel-drive system and is equipped with large tires and a high suspension which allows it to tackle rocks and other terrains with aplomb. Its generous ground clearance allows the car to ford through 30 inches of water -- in case your adventure brings you across rivers or streams.
If you're getting off the interstate and want to explore some of the landscape that can't be accessed by any old car, you can't go wrong with the Wrangler.
For national-park hopping: Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee. (Photo by supergenijalac/Getty Images)
There's another Jeep on this list -- and for good reason. Its venerable Grand Cherokee has been the brand's standard-bearer for years, combining the best of Jeep's inherent offroad abilities with creature comforts you'd expect from a luxury SUV. If you think your road trip will combine long stints on the highway with some offroading (perhaps at one or several national parks, for example), the Grand Cherokee is the perfect vehicle to choose.
It delivers a smooth ride on the road along with plenty of technology and other comforts that make it easy to spend a lot of time in it, but also can handle anything that comes its way once you veer off the pavement.
Use the right credit card for your rental
When renting a vehicle, it's important to make sure you are covered in case you get into an accident. Damage waivers are typically available to purchase from your rental company at a cost of about $10 to $20 per day, but some credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer a primary damage waiver in case of damage or theft. Since the insurance is primary, you won’t have to file a claim with your personal car insurance if there's damage to your car. You won’t have to pay a hefty deductible or be subject to rate changes, but be aware that coverage is only valid on rentals of 31 days or less.
Bottom line
Road trips will continue to be a big part of the way Americans travel for the foreseeable future. Once you decide where you're going and what type of road trip you'll be embarking on, finding the right vehicle for the trip is the next step.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
