\u201cTaking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations still impacted by inflation, you\u2019ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable,\u201d according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.<\/p>\n
\u201cSafe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road. The best states for summer road trips therefore are those that keep costs low while providing the best driving experience and most fun activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why Utah is ranked so high![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/J6XS5NAAKVDGRJBT2ANIUCEA7I.JPG\")
Arches National Park is pictured on Saturday, April 17, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News <\/p>\n
Coming in as the top road-tripping state is Minnesota, due to its relatively cheap cost and its high spending on parks and recreation. But Utah comes in second for its \u201cbreathtaking scenery, outdoor recreation and safe driving conditions,\u201d according to WalletHub.<\/p>\n
While Utah ranks 34th in the country in terms of costs, the state makes up for it in road safety. Utah ranks in the top 10 for least amount of car thefts per capita and is fourth in fewest fatalities per 100 million miles driven.<\/p>\n
Cumulatively, Utah is the sixth safest state to road-trip in.<\/p>\n
Also boosting its rating is its amusement parks, where Utah ranks seventh.<\/p>\n
The top five states for road trips include:<\/p>\n
Minnesota Utah Louisiana New York Florida <\/p>\n
The bottom five round out to:<\/p>\n
Maryland California Connecticut Delaware Rhode Island The \u2018Mighty Five\u2019 and Utahraptor State Park![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DZM2TQLAENAZ3CFYCVIDDNAWT4.JPG\")
Located 15 miles outside Moab, Utahraptor State Park is the newest addition to Utah’s state park system. | Lee Benson, Deseret News <\/p>\n
If you come for activities like amusement parks and zoos, Utah has you covered with Lagoon and Utah\u2019s Hogle Zoo, accompanied by a plethora of water parks. However, Utah is perhaps best known for its stunning natural formations.<\/p>\n
Boasting the second most national parks in the mainland U.S., only behind California\u2019s nine, Utah\u2019s five national parks make for a no-brainer trek. Starting at Canyonlands National Park, you can hit Arches National Park and Utah\u2019s newest park, Utahraptor State Park, in a matter of 35 miles, give or take.<\/p>\n
From Utahraptor State Park, another two hours will take you to Capitol Reef National Park, two more hours brings you to Bryce Canyon National Park and another two will land you in the second most visited national park in the country, Zion National Park.<\/p>\n
In roughly seven hours of driving, travelers can cross five national parks off their bucket list while witnessing the scenic stretch from eastern Utah to the southwest part.<\/p>\n
Utah also has the second-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation, and there are plenty of state parks to check out while in the desert state.<\/p>\n
Utahraptor State Park<\/p>\n
If you are a dinosaur enthusiast, Utahraptor State Park is a great place to stop. Officially opened to the public in May 2025, the park features one of the largest bone beds with over 5,500 fossils discovered representing more than 10 different species at Dalton Wells Dinosaur Quarry.<\/p>\n
Among the species is the Utahraptor, which spans 20 feet long and stands 5 feet tall, estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds.<\/p>\n
The park also features various sites where you can see ancient tracks embedded in the sandstone, made by theropods, sauropods, ornithopods and even prehistoric crocodiles.<\/p>\n