RI's The Worst State For Summer Road Trips: Wallet Hub

NARRAGANSETT, RI—It's not just that $4 one-way toll over the Newport Pell Bridge that's hurting Rhode Island's reputation as a road trip destination. According to Wallet Hub, the personal finance experts, Little Rhody's also the priciest state in the U.S. to go camping. The survey looked at costs, safety and things to do for road warriors. Although Rhode Island ranked third nationwide for safety, the high price of driving here outweighed that advantage. Plus, compared to other states, there's not that much to do, even with miles of shoreline and summer weather. Rhode Island ranked 48th for amount of national parkland (based on lowest percentage of total area). The Blackstone River Valley is considered a national park, a special type, the National Parks website says, "a living landscape containing thousands of natural and historic treasures." The Roger Williams Memorial in downtown Providence is listed as a national memorial. Other points of interest are Newport's Touro Synagogue and the Washington-Rochambeau Historic Trail, which goes through Rhode Island.

The top state for road trips was Wyoming. No New England states made the top 10 list.

To see the complete report, click here. Here are the factors the experts examined.

Costs – Total Points: 33.33

• Maximum Toll Costs: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)

• Average Cost of Car Repairs: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
• Lowest Price of Three-Star Hotel: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• Lowest Price of Camping: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• Lodging Units per Capita: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)Note: “Lodging units” include campgrounds, hostels, condominiums, villas and lodges.
• Cost of Living Index: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)

Safety – Total Points: 33.33

• Vehicle Miles Traveled per Capita: Full Weight (~3.60 Points)
• Population Density: Full Weight (~3.60 Points)
• Driving Laws Rating: Full Weight (~3.60 Points)
• Quality of Roads: Full Weight (~3.60 Points)
• Quality of Bridges: Quarter Weight (~0.90 Points)
• Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: Triple Weight (~10.81 Points)
• Car Thefts per 1,000 Residents: Full Weight (~3.60 Points)
• Violent Crimes per 1,000 Residents: Full Weight (~3.60 Points)

Activities – Total Points: 33.33

• Share of Total Area Designated as National Parkland: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Number of Attractions: Double Weight (~6.67 Points)Note: Nightlife options excluded
• Nightlife Options per Capita: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Access to Scenic Byways: Triple Weight (~10.00 Points)
• Miles of Shoreline: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Idealness of Summer Weather: Full Weight
• Accommodation & Food Services Establishments per 1,000 Residents: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)