Minnesota named best state for summer road trips by WalletHub

Summary by The Minneapolis Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Joseph Swanson, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) · July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

Summer in Minnesota has many perks from its state parks, to the thousands of lakes and trails it houses. Now, Minnesota is being hailed the best state for summer road trips, according to WalletHub. The rankings take 32 key metrics into consideration to find the top road-trip destination in the U....

Why this matters in The Minneapolis

Minnesota's top ranking for summer road trips is a testament to the state's diverse natural beauty and extensive network of parks and trails. With thousands of lakes and numerous state parks, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and scenic drives. The ranking is also a boon for local businesses that cater to tourists, such as restaurants, hotels, and gas stations. As nearly 72% of American adults plan to take a road trip this year, Minnesota can expect an influx of visitors, which could provide a significant economic boost to the state. The fact that Minnesota ranked high in affordability is also notable, given the current high gas prices, and suggests that the state's many free or low-cost attractions and activities are a major draw for budget-conscious travelers. This could be particularly beneficial for rural areas and smaller towns that rely heavily on tourism revenue.

About this story

Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: parks · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) · Reading time: 1 min

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Summary created by	The Minneapolis Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Joseph Swanson, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 23, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Minnesota named best state for summer road trips by WalletHub

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