Alabama Ranks #6 for a Budget-Friendly Summer Road Trip

Summer is peak road trip season in the United States, offering travelers a chance to explore new landscapes, visit national parks, and enjoy local culture — all at their own pace. But with inflation still lingering and consumer sentiment low, many Americans are looking for ways to stretch their vacation budgets without sacrificing experience.

To help travelers get the most out of their vacation dollars, researchers at Dunhill Travel Deals—a leading source for travel deal discovery—analyzed the lower 48 states to find the best destinations for a budget-friendly road trip in 2025. The ranking combines travel affordability metrics—like gas prices, hotel rates, and the cost of everyday expenses—with access to recreation and culture, including National Park Service (NPS) visits, the number of NPS sites, arts and entertainment business density, and road quality.