Best credit cards for road trips in 2023

Despite prices remaining high for air travel, it’s not stopping travelers from making summer plans to get away. Many people are simply adjusting their travel plans to better suit their budgets. In a recent Bankrate poll, 23 percent of people surveyed said they’d simply travel shorter distances to cut costs, and 26 percent said they’d be driving instead of flying.

This idea makes a lot of sense, considering how much cheaper a road trip is than a flight. But having a cost-effective road trip requires more than hopping in the car and seeing where the road takes you. You’ll want to plan, budget and maybe even carry a credit card that makes road travel more cost-effective and secure.

Best cards for your road trip

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Best for expansive travel credit categories

Bank of America loyalists with an affinity for travel opportunities in many forms will find a lot to love in the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. Aside from earning unlimited 1.5X points on all of your purchases (travel-related or not), you have a few redemption options to choose from. These options include gift cards, cash or statement credit that you can use directly to cover travel purchases. Many of the travel purchase categories covered with the statement credit option are not common among other travel credit cards, making this card a unique option to cover all the stops on your road trip. These categories include campgrounds, trailer park, motorhome and recreational vehicle rentals and tourist attractions like art galleries, museums, amusement parks and zoos. Better yet, you can request statement credits to cover your travel purchases for up to 12 months after you make the initial purchase.

*The information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card was last updated on July 24, 2023.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for renting a car

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders will earn a whopping 10X points for booking their car rentals and hotel stays through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. The Sapphire Reserve also covers any rental car booked with the card for up to $75,000 for collision damage, theft or physical damage. Further, you can use your Chase Sapphire benefits to get roadside assistance (emergency fuel, a tow or a key lockout) up to four times per year for only $50 (as long as the vehicle is not at your primary residence). Overall the Sapphire Reserve is a solid choice for anyone looking to venture out on the open road.

Discover it® Chrome: Best for gas stations

All of your road trip essentials are covered with the Discover it Chrome. Earn 2 percent cash back at restaurants and gas stations (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent back), as well as 1 percent cash back on everything else. Cardholders will also get a dollar-for-dollar match for all the cash back they earn at the end of the first year, so you’ll get essentially double the cash back for everything you spend on the first road trip you take with this card.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for snack runs

If your road trip companions prefer to stock up on snacks instead of stopping at restaurants, this card could be right for you. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns solid rewards for road trip-related purchases. Cardholders will get 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. online retailers (on up to $6,000 per year in each category, then 1 percent back), plus 1 percent cash back on everything else. There’s no annual fee to worry about, and cardholders can earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card: Best for travelers with fair credit

The Credit One Bank Wander card is built for people with fair credit who still want the chance to earn rewards on travel. The card doesn’t skimp on your earning potential, offering a notable 10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars booked using a designated Credit One travel provider via the mobile app or your Credit One account. You’ll also earn 5X points on eligible travel purchases (including flights), gas and dining. You’ll earn 1X points for all other purchases.

You can redeem your points for merchandise, statement credit, gift cards and travel, though your travel redemption potential can be a bit complicated. The greatest caveat of note here is that unlike other credit card travel reward programs that offer at least an average base point valuation on your rewards, the value of your Wander card points will vary based on your booking details.

Benefits of a road trip credit card

From roadside assistance to cash back on gas purchases, hitting the road with the right credit card can make your journey more affordable and safe. The best road-trip credit cards reward cardholders for common road-trip expenses like food stops, gas and lodging. The right credit card can also help you keep your funds secure because, unlike debit cards, your funds aren’t directly linked to your checking or savings accounts.

Most credit card companies have implemented zero liability fraud protections that absolve cardholders of responsibility for unauthorized charges, making credit cards the safer traveling companion. You can also have peace of mind knowing help is available should you be in an accident or have issues with your car, thanks to roadside assistance perks on some cards.

How to choose the best card for your road trip

The best credit card for your road trip will depend on your unique financial situation and what you need from your card. Although cards aren’t designed explicitly for rewarding road trips, many cards can help you shoulder the costs of your trip purchases and maximize perks on the road.

Here’s what you should consider when choosing a credit card for your road trip:

• Gas, hotel, and restaurant rewards. Hotel stays (or other lodgings), gas purchases and dining out will be your main expenses while on your road trip. It’s important to be sure any card you choose generously rewards at least some of those categories.
• Welcome bonuses. Cards that earn bonus points for dining out and gas are a staple for road-trip travelers and will help you earn your card’s welcome offer in no time. Choosing a card that offers a welcome bonus with a low spending threshold could provide an easy windfall of rewards to help cover road-trip expenses.
• Credit score requirements. Some of the best travel cards require high credit scores, but that shouldn’t stop you from being rewarded for your road trip purchases (even if your credit is less than stellar). Check your credit score and use Bankrate’s CardMatch™ to determine if the card you want is within your range.

The bottom line

While there are many great travel credit cards to choose from, some cards go further for road trippers. These cards earn top-tier rewards for common road trip expenses like gas, dining, lodging and activities. To keep your road trip affordable, fun and secure, be sure to consider the cards above for your next road trip.