Minnesota Named Best in the U.S. for a Summer Road Trip

(KNSI) — School’s out, the weather’s warm, and the possibilities for summer fun seem endless, so for the 75% of us who plan on taking a road trip, personal finance website Wallethub has narrowed down some of the best places to go, and put Minnesota at the top of the list.

Minnesota was named the best state in the country to take a road trip because it excels where it counts.

To identify the best summer road trip destinations, researchers analyzed all 50 states across three primary categories: costs, safety, and activities. The evaluation looked at 32 specific metrics.

The state ranks fourth nationally in per capita spending on parks and recreation, creating exceptional outdoor experiences from pristine lakes to scenic trails. Summer brings even more opportunities with the third-most fairs and festivals per capita, so there’s always something unique around every corner.

Minnesota is also considered quite safe with the third-fewest vehicle fatalities per million miles traveled and the fourth-best bridge quality. With the ninth-lowest speeding prevalence, Minnesota’s roads are considered safer than most for families and solo travelers alike.

Researchers also noted our exceptional outdoor recreation. Yes, there are our 10,000 plus lakes, 75 state parks and recreation areas, but the state also boasts the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness takes up more than a million acres, containing over 1,100 lakes, hundreds of miles of rivers, streams and trails, it is the most visited federally designated wilderness area in the U.S. Voyegeur’s National Park is also a highlight with over 218,000 acres to explore.

Summer fairs and festivals also received particular attention with at least one going on at any given time throughout the season. The cherry on top, of course is the Minnesota State Fair, which is the best attended fair in the U.S. for its length.

Despite such high value offerings, a road trip here remains remarkably affordable. The state provides the 12th-lowest camping costs and 15th-lowest three-star hotel rates during peak July travel. Car repair costs rank 13th-lowest nationally, making it economical for extended adventures.

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