Where the Road Is Cheapest: Road Trip Costs by State
Hotel, gas, and general costs are cheapest outside of expensive coastal states
Sources: U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, and AAA
When it comes to keeping costs low on a road trip, states in the South and Midwest clearly lead the way. Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa rank as the most affordable states overall, offering travelers significant savings on hotel stays, gas, and day-to-day expenses. Arkansas boasts the lowest average hotel rate in the country at just $114 per night, paired with the lowest everyday living costs sitting at 13.1% below the national average. Oklahoma ranks well for affordability across the board, with the third-lowest hotel prices ($116 per night), second-lowest gas prices ($3.80), and tied for fourth-lowest everyday costs (-12.2%). Iowa combines a hotel rate of $120 per night (fourth lowest) and everyday costs that are also 12.2% below the national average (tied for fourth lowest).
Beyond these top performers, states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama also report below-average prices across all three categories—making the southern U.S. particularly appealing for budget-conscious travelers. On the other end of the spectrum, several coastal and western states come with steeper price tags. Gas prices on the West Coast are the highest in the nation, with California pacing the country with $6.03 per gallon. California also has the highest cost of living at 10.7% above average, followed by New Jersey (+8.8%) and New York (+7.9%). Wyoming and Montana—known for thriving luxury resort areas—have the most expensive hotel rates at $342.31 and $227.62, respectively.
Of course, cost is only one piece of the puzzle. While saving money matters, so does what you get in return.
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