Nothing can take some fun out of a road trip like needing to constantly stop for gas. It’s a time-killer, can leave you searching for gas on E in the middle of nowhere, and reminds you of how much money you’re spending.
If you’re going on a shorter road trip, this won’t be much of an issue. But, for cross-country road trips, you’re going to want to find a vehicle that doesn’t have a small tank and an even smaller mpg. Here’s our list of vehicles that can go for 600 miles or more without needing a fill-up, making them the best vehicles for cross-country road trips.
Lexus ES 300h
This luxury midsize sedan has all the comfort amenities you’d want like spacious and comfortable room for passengers, tech and safety features galore, and a look that screams style. It also gets about 40 mpg’s and can travel for about 690 miles on a single fill-up. If you’re looking to cover distance, save gas money and earn style points, the ES 300h is a sedan you’ll love to drive.
It’s a hybrid, so of course it’s going to be great on gas. It’s also a Honda, which means you’ll get a reliable and efficient engine that you can count on. It has a combined mpg of 47, which means you can get about 740 miles on one full tank of gas. That means you can drive and drive all day and maybe need to fill up once every other day or so. On a cross-country road trip —especially one that’s slightly pressed for time— this is a game-changer. You also don’t have to sacrifice space or comfort in this sweet family sedan.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
If your cross-country road trip calls for crossing rough or rugged terrain, or involves towing, the Grand Cherokee Diesel is a best choice. You’ll get up to 30 mpg’s in this large off-road-ready luxury SUV. You’ll get about 615 miles on a full tank —less if towing, of course. If you’re leaning towards taking an SUV across the country, this just might be the most efficient way to do it without sacrificing comfort and style, or throwing a ton of money at every gas station you see.
Porsche Cayenne Diesel
If you love your luxury SUVs for long distance and cross-country road trips, you’ll love the diesel version of the Porsche Cayenne. With an estimated 29 mpg on the highway and the ability to run for just over 600 miles on a single full tank, you’ll get more time behind the wheel of this beauty and less time stopped at the pump.
BMW X5 xDrive 35d
Here’s one more luxury diesel SUV that makes traveling from coast to coast in style so affordable. The xDrive has a diesel engine that gets between 24 and 31 mpg’s on average, and can go for just over 600 miles on a single tank. The X5 interior is as spacious and full of tech features as you’d expect from a BMW so your drive will be ultra-enjoyable.
For more diesel options, check this article out.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Camry has a cult following and it never disappoints. The hybrid version carries on that good track record by giving drivers about 41 mpg and a tank that’s big enough to let it run for almost 700 miles on a single fill. This car will last you multiple cross-country road trips and still run strong on your daily commute.
Toyota Avalon Hybrid
If you need a little more room than the Camry provides, check out the Avalon. It’s basically a larger and more sleek version of the Camry. You’ll still get 40 mpg’s and about 680 miles on a single tank’s fill.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Get up to 38 combined mpg’s in this roomy midsize 4-door sedan that’s sleek, stylish, and perfect for road-tripping long distances. You’ll be able to run the Sonata Hybrid for about 700 miles before needing to fill it up again, which is really impressive.
Kia Optima Hybrid
This is another midsize sedan that gets 38 mpg’s and can run for about 700 miles between each fill-up. It’s perfect for simple cross-country travel where comfort and efficiency are key. We love this Kia for road trips that are centered more on the driving experience and less on luxury or cargo capabilities.