Summer 2016 officially began earlier this week on June 21, and according to WalletHub, 77% of Americans think it's the perfect time to hit the road for a road trip.
With that information in mind, WalletHub once again compared the 50 U.S. states to find the most fun, scenic and wallet-friendly states for road trips and those that could have travelers pulling a quick U-turn.
WalletHub ranked the 50 states by analyzing three equally weighted categories:
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Driving and lodging costs. - Road conditions and safety.
- Fun and scenic attractions.
The three categories are comprised of 21 key metrics, including each state’s attractions, road conditions, costs and weather patterns. Each metric was scored on scale from 0 to 100 points, with 100 corresponding to the most favorable conditions for summer road trips. With that information, WalletHub then calculated the overall score for each state using the weighted average across all metrics and ranked the states accordingly.
See which states are the best and worst by specific metrics such as car thefts per capita and average gas prices in the infographic to the right (click image to enlarge).
Read more information on methodology and the weight of each metric here. Compare this year's results with last year's here.
Read on to see if you need to advise your auto insurance clients to change their road trip travel destinations:
10 best U.S. states for road trips
Vermont is full of great background views for those road trip selfies. (Photo: iStock)
|10. Vermont
According to WalletHub, Vermont has the lowest number of car thefts per 1,000 residents (0.39).
In this photo, traffic travels on I-10 westbound, crossing Lake Pontchartrain, en route to New Orleans. (Photo: iStock)
|9. Louisiana
The Rocky Mountains are the perfect backdrop for a summer road trip. (Photo: iStock)
|8. Colorado
(Photo: iStock)
|7. Idaho
Idaho is the fifth state with the most scenic byways and the second state with the lowest cost for camping.
Washington state's Mount Rainier is a popular destination (Photo: iStock)
|6. Washington
Despite being one of the best states for road trips, the state of Washington has the highest number of car thefts per 1,000 residents at 4.34, which is 11 times higher than in Vermont.
There are plenty of roadside attractions in Minnesota, such as this sculpture of a prairie chicken. (Photo: iStock)
|5. Minnesota
Mount Mitchell, seen from Hewat Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, is one of the amazing sights road trippers can see in the fourth best state for road trips. (Photo: iStock)
|4. North Carolina
North Carolina is tied with California for state with the most scenic byways.
In this photo, tourists stop for pictures in the Moab Desert, Utah. (Photo: iStock)
|3. Utah
Utah is tied with Oregon for state with the most scenic byways.
Road trippers can take a drive through the Nevada Desert on their way to Vegas. (Photo: iStock)
|2. Nevada
Nevada has the highest number of nightlife options per 100,000 residents 35.63 which is seven times higher than in New Jersey, the state with the lowest (5.29). It also boasts the lowest average price of camping, coming in at $25. (For comparison, the cost in the highest state California is $79.)
A hiker enjoys the view of Crater Lake in Oregon. (Photo: iStock)
|1. Oregon
Oregon is tied with Utah for state with the most scenic byways.
|
10 worst U.S. states for road trips
A retro motel sign along the historical Route 66 in Vinita, Okla. (Photo: iStock)
|41. Oklahoma
Oklahoma is the fourth state with the lowest gas prices, but its rankings in the other key metrics makes it one of the 10 worst states for road trips.
A fun road trip stop in Tennessee is the Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Jamestown. (Photo: iStock)
|42. Tennessee
Weather was taken into consideration in WalletHub's rankings. In this photo, heavy rain falls on a roadway in Kansas. (Photo: iStock)
|43. Kansas
A roadtrip across Arkansas can include a drive over a suspension bridge, such as this one at Beaver Lake . (Photo: iStock)
|44. Arkansas
Being the third state with the lowest gas prices couldn't help Arkansas' ranking.
This photo shows a digital highway sign welcoming drivers to Delaware. (Photo: iStock)
|45. Delaware
The Lake Superior Coast at Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Mich. (Photo: iStock)
|46. Michigan
Michigan is the fifth most expensive state for gas.
(Photo: iStock)
|47. North Dakota
(Photo: iStock)
48. Mississippi
Despite being the second state with the lowest cost of gasoline, Mississippi is still one of the worst states for road trips.
Travelers hike to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo: iStock)
|49. Alaska
Alaska ranks 47th out of 50 for the number of national park units per square mile and is the third most expensive state for gas.
Tourists cross the historical Mystic River Bascule Bridge in Mystic, Conn., which was built in 1920. (Photo: iStock)
|50. Connecticut
Connecticut is tied with Delware for having the lowest number of scenic byways, according to WalletHub. It also has the second highest average cost of camping.
Read related: Road trip! 7 safe-driving tips for new graduates
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