Planning a road trip requires more than just a destination; the journey itself is equally important. To make the most of your adventure, you’ll need a vehicle that offers both comfort and ample cargo space. The best cars for road trips combine these elements, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride for all passengers while providing enough room for luggage and gear.
In 2024, several cars stand out for their ability to enhance the road trip experience, from spacious interiors and advanced entertainment systems to impressive fuel efficiency and driving range. Whether you’re starting on a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, the right car can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best cars for road trips, focusing on their comfort, cargo space, and suitability for long journeys. Get ready to discover the vehicles that will make your next road trip unforgettable.
1. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a popular choice for road trips, offering a perfect blend of comfort, reliability, and ample cargo space. The 2024 model features a spacious and well-appointed interior with comfortable seating for up to five passengers.
The seats are designed for long journeys, providing excellent support and adjustability. The rear seats can be easily folded down to create a flat load floor, significantly expanding the cargo area.
The CR-V comes equipped with a host of modern amenities to enhance your road trip experience. The infotainment system includes a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing passengers to stay connected and entertained.
Dual-zone automatic climate control ensures a comfortable environment for all occupants, while available features such as a panoramic sunroof and premium audio system add to the enjoyment.
Safety is a top priority in the Honda CR-V, with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives.
Fuel efficiency is another strong point for the CR-V, with its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering excellent mileage, ensuring fewer stops at the pump. The smooth ride, responsive handling, and comfortable cabin make the Honda CR-V an ideal choice for families and adventurers seeking a reliable and versatile vehicle for their road trips.
2. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a versatile and rugged vehicle that excels in road trip scenarios, offering a spacious interior and impressive cargo capacity. The 2024 model features a comfortable cabin with seating for up to five passengers, providing ample legroom and headroom.
The Outback’s seats are designed for comfort, with available heated and ventilated front seats and reclining rear seats to ensure a pleasant ride for all occupants. One of the standout features of the Outback is its generous cargo space.
With the rear seats up, the Outback offers 32.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which expands to an impressive 75.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. This ample space allows for easy storage of luggage, camping gear, and other essentials needed for your road trip.
The Outback is equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system that includes an 11.6-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. These features help keep passengers entertained and on track during long journeys.
Additionally, the Outback offers multiple USB ports and a premium Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the experience. Safety is a priority in the Subaru Outback, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
The Outback’s standard all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction and stability, making it a reliable choice for various road conditions. With its combination of comfort, cargo space, and rugged capabilities, the Subaru Outback is an excellent choice for adventurers and families looking to start on memorable road trips.
3. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size SUV that offers a comfortable and spacious interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips. The 2024 model features three rows of seating, accommodating up to eight passengers.
The Highlander’s seats are designed for long journeys, with available heated and ventilated front seats and power-adjustable second-row seats that ensure maximum comfort for all occupants.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the Highlander, with up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Highlander provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
The Highlander is equipped with a modern infotainment system that includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is user-friendly and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips. Additionally, the Highlander offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available JBL premium audio system for an enhanced listening experience.
Safety is a top priority in the Toyota Highlander, with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of advanced driver-assistance features. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives.
The Highlander’s smooth ride, responsive handling, and fuel-efficient powertrain make it an ideal choice for road trips. Whether you’re driving through scenic routes or going through city streets, the Toyota Highlander offers a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all passengers.
4. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a standout choice for road trips, offering a spacious and luxurious interior along with impressive cargo capacity. The 2024 model features three rows of seating, accommodating up to eight passengers.
The Telluride’s seats are designed for long journeys, with available heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, ensuring maximum comfort for all occupants.
Cargo space is one of Telluride’s strong points, with up to 87 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Telluride provides ample space for luggage, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
The Telluride is equipped with a state of the art infotainment system that includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is intuitive and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips. Additionally, Telluride offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available Harman Kardon premium audio system for an enhanced listening experience.
Safety is a top priority in the Kia Telluride, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives.
The Telluride’s smooth ride, powerful V6 engine, and advanced features make it an ideal choice for road trips. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or exploring off the beaten path destinations, the Kia Telluride offers a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all passengers.
5. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a versatile and capable SUV that excels in road trip scenarios, offering a spacious interior and impressive cargo capacity. The 2024 model features three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Explorer’s seats are designed for comfort, with available heated and ventilated front seats, power-folding second-row seats, and reclining third-row seats.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the Explorer, with up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Explorer provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
The Explorer is equipped with a modern infotainment system that includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is user-friendly and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips. Additionally, the Explorer offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium audio system for an enhanced listening experience.
Safety is a priority in the Ford Explorer, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Explorer’s all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction and stability, making it a reliable choice for various road conditions.
With its combination of comfort, cargo space, and rugged capabilities, the Ford Explorer is an excellent choice for adventurers and families looking to start on memorable road trips.
6. Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a top choice for families starting on road trips, offering a spacious and comfortable interior along with impressive versatility. The 2024 model features seating for up to eight passengers, with available Magic Slide second-row seats that make it easy to access the third row and configure the cabin to suit your needs.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the Odyssey, with up to 144.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Odyssey provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families.
The Odyssey is equipped with a modern infotainment system that includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is user-friendly and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips.
Additionally, the Odyssey offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available rear entertainment system with a Blu-ray player and streaming apps.
Safety is a top priority in the Honda Odyssey, with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance features. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives. The Odyssey’s smooth ride, responsive handling, and fuel-efficient powertrain make it an ideal choice for road trips.
7. Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a mid-size SUV that excels in comfort and cargo capacity, making it an excellent choice for road trips. The 2024 model features three rows of seating, accommodating up to eight passengers. The seats are designed for long journeys, with available heated and ventilated front seats and power-folding second-row seats to ensure maximum comfort for all occupants.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the Traverse, with up to 98.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Traverse provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
The Traverse is equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system that includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips. Additionally, the Traverse offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available Bose premium audio system for an enhanced listening experience.
Safety is a top priority in the Chevrolet Traverse, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives.
8. Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a top choice for families starting on road trips, offering a spacious and versatile interior along with impressive comfort. The 2024 model features seating for up to eight passengers, with available Stow ‘n Go seating that allows for easy configuration of the cabin to suit your needs.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the Pacifica, with up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Pacifica provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families.
The Pacifica is equipped with a modern infotainment system that includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is user-friendly and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips.
Additionally, the Pacifica offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available rear entertainment system with dual touchscreens. Safety is a top priority in the Chrysler Pacifica, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives. The Pacifica’s smooth ride, responsive handling, and fuel-efficient powertrain make it an ideal choice for road trips. Whether you’re driving through scenic routes or going through city streets, the Chrysler Pacifica offers a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all passengers.
9. Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV that offers a spacious and comfortable interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips. The 2024 model features three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The XC90’s seats are designed for long journeys, with available heated and ventilated front seats and power-folding second-row seats to ensure maximum comfort for all occupants.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the XC90, with up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the XC90 provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
The XC90 is equipped with a state of the art infotainment system that includes a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is intuitive and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips. Additionally, the XC90 offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system for an enhanced listening experience.
Safety is a top priority in the Volvo XC90, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives.
The XC90’s smooth ride, responsive handling, and fuel-efficient powertrain make it an ideal choice for road trips. Whether you’re going through city streets or exploring scenic routes, the Volvo XC90 offers a comfortable and luxurious journey for all passengers.
10. Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury SUV that combines comfort, advanced technology, and ample cargo space, making it an excellent choice for road trips. The 2024 model features three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Q7’s seats are designed for long journeys, with available heated and ventilated front seats, power folding second row seats, and reclining third-row seats.
Cargo space is a significant advantage of the Q7, with up to 69.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows are folded down. Even with all seats in use, the Q7 provides ample space for luggage and other essentials, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
The Q7 is equipped with a modern infotainment system that includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available navigation. The system is user-friendly and helps keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips. Additionally, the Q7 offers multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium audio system for an enhanced listening experience.
Safety is a top priority in the Audi Q7, with a suite of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety during long drives.
The Q7’s smooth ride, powerful engine options, and advanced features make it an ideal choice for road trips. Whether you’re driving through scenic routes or going through city streets, the Audi Q7 offers a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all passengers.
These top 10 cars for road trips combine comfort, cargo space, and advanced features to ensure a memorable and enjoyable journey. Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, these vehicles offer the perfect blend of practicality and luxury to make your road trip experience exceptional.
