Planning a road trip without knowing what type of vehicle you’ll be using is like planning a wedding without knowing where the reception will be held. It’s a factor that potentially affects and alters too much of the experience to be sidelined until further notice.

The vast majority of people will be using the vehicle they happen to own, while others prefer to rent one for their upcoming road trip. Regardless of the options available and selection method, certain types of vehicles are more suitable for certain trips compared to the alternative.

With this in mind, let’s compare a few of the more popular types of automobiles used for road trips:

EVs – Cities and Towns

Electric vehicles are the way of the future. In preparation for what lies ahead, most cities are part of large EV charging networks spread across the country. That means EVs are ideal for any road trip where the final destination is a major metropolitan area. Thanks to these charging networks, planning a route across the map has never been easier. Chances are every town with a population of over 10,000 people will feature several publicly available stations to use as you make your trek.

SUVs – Off-Road

Those headed off the beaten path – such as camping in a national park or headed up into the mountains – are best off using a sports utility vehicle. What’s more, an SUV used in off-road or snowy conditions should have an all-wheel-drive option available when needed. Using an SUV with AWD or 4WD will help prevent you and your travel party from getting stuck in a place miles away from civilization. 

RVs – Open Road

Recreational vehicles – also known as RVs, motorhomes, and campers – are the proverbial vehicle of choice for road trips. However, their large size makes them difficult to maneuver through tight streets and winding roads. With this in mind, those planning an upcoming road trip should only consider a motorhome if they’ll be mostly driving across wide-open landscapes with straightforward off-ramps or if they already have experience driving large vehicles through narrow spaces.

Vans – The Long-Haul

When it comes to “classic” road trip vehicles, the runner-up to RVs would definitely be a conversion van or minivan. These types of vehicles are suited best for long trips with very few stops. That’s because they provide room for passengers to recline and sleep in transit while also providing space for accommodations and amenities, including televisions and gaming systems.

Sedans – The Day-Trip

Don’t let anyone tell you a sedan can’t be a decent road trip vehicle. While they don’t leave much room for luggage once everyone is crammed inside, who says you’re bringing luggage? Many road trips can be made in a day; a few hours there, a few hours back, and lots of fun in the hours in between.

Don’t make the mistake of planning a road trip without knowing which vehicle you’ll be using. Whether renting or going with your existing car, take steps to match your choice with the type of trip you’re taking.