Maryland's Spot Among Best States For Summer Road Trips

BALTIMORE, MD — Summer time. The kids are done with school, and many parents take time off work to plan a getaway with the family. But according to a new report from consumer finance site WalletHub, Maryland is not among the best states in the country for a road trip. How is that possible given the state's historic charms, great food scene, and miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline?

Hassles like rising gas prices, traffic woes and the cost of travel may have knocked Maryland's ranking in a AAA study that found that 64 percent of families traveling this summer plan to take road trips. With that in mind, WalletHub ranked all 50 states based upon the cost of road trips, safety and the number and quality of activities available.

Maryland came in at No. 33, sandwiched between Vermont and Missouri. According to the rankings, the top 10 states for U.S. road trips were:

1. Wyoming
2. North Carolina
3. Minnesota
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Louisiana
7. Washington
8. New York
9. Utah
10. Colorado

Ranking dead last was Rhode Island, followed closely by Connecticut, Delaware and — this one may surprise you — Hawaii.

Maryland's No. 33 ranking came despite the fact that it came in close to the bottom — No. 42 — when it comes to the cost of travel here, No. 47 for the highest average cost of car repairs if you have trouble on the road, and No. 11 in activities for the family.

You can read WalletHub's full study here.

Need some vacation ideas?

• Here Is The Most Beautiful Place In Maryland, Conde Nast Says
• Best Summer Travel Destinations Include Maryland

Photo by Maryland Department of Natural Resources