North Carolina Is An Ideal Place For Summer Road Trips
According to WalletHub, North Carolina is one of the best places in the country for a road trip. Of course, that has a lot to do with our our options of both coastline and countryside, but the summer months also allow more flexibility on timing.
Perhaps it’s all about the kids. They are off of school, and many companies offer the benefit of summer Fridays giving families the opportunity to leverage the time to fully explore. Sure, part of the thrill of a road trip is the drive, what you see along the way, and where you stop for snacks. However, you want allow ample time to enjoy the destination you are heading to.
“This summer, 75% of American adults plan to take some sort of road trip, with around 33% planning to travel more than 250 miles from home,” WalletHub explained.
Considering all the elements that factor into a proper road trip, WalletHub studied three specific categories. They were the cost, activities, and safety that each state aligns to. Then, within that 32 different key metrics were analyzed. Ultimately, this generated a score for each state, allowing an official compilation.
“The best states for summer road trips therefore are those that keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities,” WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe said.
North Carolina: A Best State For A Road Trip
Overall, North Carolina ranked as the seventh-best state in the country for a road trip.
The obvious spot that many folks pack the van for is to drive the scenic routes along the Outer Banks. However, the warmer seasons are also great for taking in the Smoky Mountains or heading to high country to take in the clear views of Grandfather Mountain. If you really want to get ambitious (and have the time), what about an all in-state road trip starting inland in one of these western nature-filled spots? Then, head across I-40 and US-64 for some ultimate ocean time.
To help you along the way, Roadtrippers Magazine detailed the best road trip stops in North Carolina. Here, you can find everything from what to expect stopping at Sliding Rock to some great local establishments for food. You can “explore everything from wildlife to beaches to shipwrecks to lighthouses to the very location where the Wright brothers changed history with their first flight.”
Perhaps an underrated and under-the-radar road trip, but I did have a neighbor come in from the northeast recently who drove from college to college to explore the campuses for their daughter. They flew into Charlotte and picked up a rental car. After a visit to UNC Charlotte their route took them to Davidson, then up to Wake Forest. The next group of stops included heading east to Elon, Duke, and then NC State. After grabbing a coffee mug at each school they wrapped up by spending three days of vacation in the Outer Banks. They relayed it was one of their favorite road trips they even embarked on, and their daughter ultimately chose Wake Forest.
