Minnesota: Top Road Trip
WalletHub Ranks Minnesota Best State for 2026 Summer Road Trips
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Key Points
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Discrepancy in fairs-and-festivals ranking: KNSI cites Minnesota as 3rd in fairs and festivals per capita, while WalletHub's published ranking (cited in another article) places Minnesota 4th.
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Gas price detail: Minnesota’s statewide average for regular gas is $3.72 per gallon, below the national average of $3.93.
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Affordability specifics beyond the summary: Minnesota ranks 12th-lowest for camping costs, 11th-lowest for 3-star hotel costs in mid-July, and 13th-lowest for car repair costs nationwide.
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Mall of America highlighted as a rainy-day attraction: described as the nation’s largest mall with over 500 stores and an indoor theme park.
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Local summer events mentioned beyond the Minnesota State Fair: Granite City Days in St. Cloud and Rapids River Days in Sauk Rapids illustrate ongoing regional festivities.
Minnesota has been named the best state for summer road trips in 2026, according to WalletHub's annual ranking. The personal finance site scored all 50 states across 32 metrics covering costs, safety, and activities — and Minnesota topped them all with a score of 61.11.
Utah came in second with a score of 60.15, followed by Louisiana in third, Patch reported. The results land just as nearly 75% of Americans say they plan to take a road trip this summer, per WalletHub.
Minnesota's Roads and Bridges Among the Safest Nationally
Safety is one of Minnesota's biggest strengths in the ranking. The state records the second-fewest vehicle fatalities per 100 million miles traveled in the country, according to Patch. It also ranks fourth in bridge quality and ninth-lowest in speeding prevalence nationwide.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo pointed directly to these numbers. "Minnesota is the best state for summer road trips," Lupo said, citing the state's high spending on parks and strong road infrastructure. Those safety scores gave Minnesota a clear edge over Sun Belt states that often struggle with fatality rates in the same study.
Gas and Hotels Cost Less Than Most Other States
Minnesota also wins on price. Gas averages $3.72 per gallon statewide — below the national average of $3.93, according to KNSI. That gap matters more this year after prices briefly spiked to $4.34 per gallon in May due to refinery maintenance and global supply issues.
Beyond gas, the state ranks 11th-lowest for three-star hotel costs in mid-July, 12th-lowest for camping costs, and 13th-lowest for car repair costs, per Patch. That puts Minnesota firmly in the affordable range for middle-class road trippers, even as inflation has pushed travel costs higher across the country.
10,000 Lakes, 70 State Parks, and a Fair That Draws Millions
Minnesota's outdoor offerings are hard to match. The state has more than 70 state parks and over 10,000 lakes, according to KNSI. It also ranks fourth in per-capita spending on parks and recreation — a category where Minnesota has placed in the top five for several years running.
The Minnesota State Fair drew 1.94 million visitors in 2025 — the fifth-highest attendance in its history, MPR News reported. The state also ranks among the top five nationally for fairs and festivals per capita. Local events like Granite City Days in St. Cloud and Rapids River Days in Sauk Rapids add to that density of summer activity, according to KNSI.
Minnesota Dethrones Western States in a Shift for Road Trip Culture
Minnesota's #1 finish is a change from past years. In 2024, the state ranked second, trailing only Texas, according to Parade. The 2026 leap pushes aside perennial favorites like Utah and Florida — states known for national parks and beaches rather than lakes and festivals.
Travel analysts note that Western states like Arizona still lead in scenic attractions tied to national parks. But Minnesota's combination of low fatality rates, affordable camping, and a packed summer events calendar gave it the edge overall. On rainy days, the Mall of America — the nation's largest mall, with over 500 stores and an indoor theme park — offers a backup plan that few other states can match, per KNSI.
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