Two years after Texas accelerated to the No. 1 spot as the top state for summer road trips, it’s now losing some steam.
The Lone Star State has ranked 8th on WalletHub’s 2025 list of “Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips,” with Minnesota climbing through the ranks to claim the No. 1 spot this year.
The fall in rankings is likely not welcome news to City of San Antonio officials. The city relies on the hotel occupancy tax to fund arts and culture, historical preservation efforts, and advocacy organization Visit SA. According to hotel data firm Source Strategies, San Antonio tourism has not completely rebounded from pre-pandemic levels.
Each year, the report compares all 50 states to figure out which are the most wallet-friendly, safe places to travel with plenty of fun activities for all. The report analyzes factors that road trippers prioritize for their trip plans, such as the average gas prices in each state, the type of attractions in each state, and more.
Despite Texas’ overall drop in the national ranking, the state still performed particularly well in the category of “attractions,” ranking No. 4 nationwide. WalletHub has previously praised Texas’ family-friendly activities such as zoos and amusement parks, while the beach remains a popular choice for travelers that need a coastal getaway.
Texans love the beach. Photo courtesy of Sunflower Beach
There’s also plenty of things to do near San Antonio on a quick day trip, such as visiting popular Hill Country hotspots like Gruene, Seguin, Castroville, and more. And, of course, San Antonio has its own attractions like SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas, the Alamo, and the River Walk.
Texas also earned a high rank – No. 10 – for its various vacation costs, with the report specifically calling out high gas prices and inflation rates as major concerns for travelers this summer.
“[Gas prices have] remained high this year, with the national average at over $3.130 per gallon now,” the report’s author wrote. “On top of that, [travelers will] need to consider accommodations, activities and dining, all of which continue to be impacted by inflation.”
Texas didn’t do nearly as well when it comes to safety, ranking 39th for the second year in a row (though the report didn’t explain why). Factors included the road quality in each state, the number of car thefts per 1,000 residents, the number of uninsured drivers, and the rate of violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
Despite Texas’ relatively low safety ranking, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says states like Texas were dubbed the best places for road trips because they “keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities.”
The top 10 best states for summer road trips in 2025 are:
- No. 1 – Minnesota
- No. 2 – New York
- No. 3 – Ohio
- No. 4 – Utah
- No. 5 – Louisiana
- No. 6 – Florida
- No. 7 – Idaho
- No. 8 – Texas
- No. 9 – North Carolina
- No. 10 – Pennsylvania
