When we think about our great Garden State, there are so many fun day trips that come to mind. From the Jersey Shore to quaint towns such as Westfield, Frenchtown or Princeton with lovely downtown areas and Insta-worthy nature spots, there’s more to see and do here than most places. From beaches to hiking trails to lakes, we’ve got it all. And that’s not to mention our incredible farms, vineyards and kid-friendly destinations. So when we saw that New Jersey ranked low on WalletHub’s list of 2022’s Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips, we were shocked.
The new study looked at factors such as gas prices and road conditions but also fun destinations and scenery. Out of our great 50 states, New Jersey ranked very low at number 45. We may not be quite as scenic as Oregon or California, but New Jersey has so much natural beauty to behold, including stunning waterfalls like the ones at Paterson Great Falls National Park to Cape May, which is often named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Right here we’ve got camping grounds galore and amusement parks that are any kid’s dream come true.
Here are the top 10 states to take a road trip in on the WalletHub list:
- New York
- Minnesota
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Ohio
- North Carolina
- Idaho
- Florida
- Wyoming
We agree that our tri-state neighbor, New York, is a terrific place for a road trip, so we give them props for grabbing the top spot. But it’s a travesty that we ranked lower (way lower!) than many other states. Okay, so Ohio may have lower car repair costs, but can that really compare with all the amazing food options you can hit on a road trip in NJ? After all, even our rest stops have flair!
This survey may have been compiled using “32 key metrics” but the only ones we need are a love for Jersey, a full tank of (expensive) gas and the Boss playing on the speakers as we head down to exit zero.
Want to know which other states ranked high (and low) for road trippin’? Click here to see the full list.
Planning a NJ road trip? These activities are not only fun, they’re also free!