What Makes a Great Road Trip Vehicle? 10 Features That Actually Matter
There is a big difference between a vehicle that feels great during a 15-minute drive across town and one you still enjoy after spending four hours behind the wheel.
Road trips have a way of revealing everything you love, and don't love, about a vehicle.
Seats that seemed comfortable during a test drive can feel very different after a few hundred miles. A cargo area that looked spacious can suddenly seem much smaller once everyone's luggage is loaded. And features you barely notice during your daily commute can become some of your favorites on a long drive.
For drivers in Fort Wayne and throughout Northeast Indiana, there are plenty of reasons to hit the road. Weekend trips, family vacations, sporting events, camping, visiting relatives, and fall drives are just a few examples.
So, what actually makes a good road trip vehicle?
At Big City Cars in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we see everything from compact cars and crossovers to three-row SUVs and pickup trucks. While there isn't one perfect road trip vehicle for everyone, there are certain features that can make long drives considerably more comfortable.
Here are 10 things worth having when you're planning to spend some serious time on the road.
1. Comfortable Seats Matter More Than You Think
Let's start with something simple: the driver's seat.
You might spend several hours in it at a time, so comfort matters.
A supportive seat can make a major difference on a long drive. Look for a seating position that allows you to comfortably reach the steering wheel and pedals without feeling cramped.
Power-adjustable seats can be especially useful because they allow you to fine-tune your position.
Some vehicles also offer adjustable lumbar support, which can help provide additional lower-back support.
Then there are the comfort features.
Heated seats are obviously popular during an Indiana winter, but ventilated seats can be equally appealing during summer road trips.
If you regularly travel with another driver, memory seat settings can also be convenient. Instead of readjusting everything each time you switch drivers, you may be able to return to your preferred seating position with the push of a button.
The best road trip vehicle isn't necessarily the one with the fanciest seats.
It's the one you can sit in comfortably for several hours.
2. Cargo Space Needs to Match the Way You Travel
Road trips require stuff.
Suitcases. Coolers. Backpacks. Strollers. Sports equipment. Camping gear. Snacks. Blankets.
And somehow, it all has to fit.
This is one reason SUVs and crossovers have become popular road trip vehicles. Their hatch-style cargo areas can provide plenty of usable storage, and folding rear seats can create even more room.
But don't automatically assume you need an SUV.
A sedan with a large trunk may offer plenty of space for two people taking a weekend trip.
Pickup trucks provide another option. The bed can accommodate an enormous amount of cargo, especially when paired with a tonneau cover or other weather-resistant storage solution.
Think about how you travel.
A family of five taking a week-long vacation has very different cargo needs from a couple taking an overnight trip.
3. Fuel Economy Becomes Much More Noticeable
Fuel economy may not seem like a huge deal when your normal commute is only a few miles.
Add several hundred highway miles and it becomes much more noticeable.
A more fuel-efficient vehicle can reduce the number of fuel stops you need to make and potentially lower the overall cost of your trip.
That doesn't mean everyone needs the smallest car possible.
Modern sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and even some trucks can offer impressive highway efficiency.
The important thing is balancing fuel economy with your other needs.
If you're packing five passengers and a week's worth of luggage, squeezing everyone into a tiny vehicle just to save fuel probably won't make for an enjoyable trip.
On the other hand, driving a massive SUV when only two people are traveling may give you far more vehicle than you need.
The sweet spot is a vehicle with enough room for your passengers and cargo while still providing reasonable efficiency for the distances you typically travel.
4. Adaptive Cruise Control Can Be a Game Changer
Traditional cruise control has been making highway drives easier for decades.
Adaptive cruise control takes the idea a step further.
Depending on the system, adaptive cruise control can automatically adjust your vehicle's speed to help maintain a set following distance from the vehicle ahead.
If traffic slows, the system can reduce your speed. When traffic begins moving faster again, it can accelerate back toward your selected cruising speed.
On a long stretch of highway, this can reduce the amount of constant speed adjustment required from the driver.
It doesn't mean you can stop paying attention.
The driver remains responsible for controlling the vehicle and responding to traffic and road conditions.
But for someone who regularly travels on highways, adaptive cruise control can be a feature you quickly learn to appreciate.
5. Driver-Assistance Features Can Help on Long Drives
Adaptive cruise control isn't the only technology that can make road trips easier.
Depending on the vehicle, you may find features such as:
These systems are designed to assist the driver, not replace them.
That distinction is especially important during a long road trip. Driver-assistance technology doesn't make it safe to drive while distracted or tired.
Still, having another layer of information can be useful.
Blind-spot monitoring, for example, can be helpful when changing lanes on a busy interstate. Lane-departure alerts may warn you if the vehicle begins drifting from its lane.
Features like these can add another level of convenience and awareness to highway driving.
6. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Are Great Road Trip Companions
Infotainment has become an important part of modern vehicles, especially on long trips.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can make it easier to access compatible navigation, music, podcasts, audiobooks, calls, and messages through the vehicle's infotainment system.
Navigation is particularly useful when you're traveling somewhere unfamiliar.
Instead of balancing your phone somewhere near the dashboard, compatible systems can display directions on the vehicle's touchscreen.
Passengers will appreciate connectivity too.
Bluetooth audio, USB ports, USB-C ports, and available rear charging connections can help keep everyone's devices powered.
If you've ever spent hours in a vehicle with a child whose tablet just reached 1% battery, you already understand the value of charging ports.
7. Don't Underestimate Cupholders and Small Storage Areas
Horsepower gets attention.
Cupholders don't.
But three hours into a road trip, you may care a lot more about where you're putting your coffee.
Good interior storage makes traveling easier.
A useful center console gives you somewhere to keep chargers, sunglasses, snacks, wallets, and other small items.
Door pockets can hold drinks and travel essentials. Rear-seat cupholders give passengers somewhere to put their drinks without handing them to the driver every 15 minutes.
Some SUVs and minivans offer additional storage compartments throughout the cabin.
These aren't exciting features when you're looking at specifications online.
In everyday life, however, they can make a vehicle significantly more practical.
8. Rear-Seat Space Matters Even If You're Not Sitting Back There
If you regularly travel with passengers, don't evaluate a vehicle only from the driver's seat.
Sit in the back.
A rear seat can feel perfectly acceptable for a 10-minute trip and become much less comfortable after several hours.
Look at legroom, headroom, seat position, and ease of entry.
Families should also think about how car seats affect available space.
A rear-facing child seat, for example, can require significant room behind the front seats.
If your family uses car seats or boosters, consider how easily they fit and whether passengers can access seat belts and buckles.
Indiana requires children under age eight to be properly restrained in an appropriate child restraint system, and state safety officials emphasize choosing and using the proper restraint based on the child and manufacturer's requirements.
For family road trips, making sure everyone has enough room and is properly restrained should be part of the plan before leaving the driveway.
9. Climate Control Can Keep Everyone Happier
There are few faster ways to start an argument on a road trip than asking:
"Is anyone else hot?"
One passenger wants the air conditioning turned up.
Another passenger is freezing.
The driver is somewhere in the middle.
Dual-zone or tri-zone automatic climate control can help.
These systems allow different areas of the cabin to maintain different temperature settings.
Rear climate controls can be particularly helpful in larger SUVs and minivans, where passengers may be sitting much farther from the dashboard vents.
During an Indiana summer, effective air conditioning can make a huge difference.
The same applies to heating during cold-weather travel.
Remote start can also be convenient because it allows you to begin warming or cooling the cabin before everyone climbs inside.
10. Sometimes the Best Feature Is Simply More Space
There is a reason larger vehicles remain popular for family travel.
Space gives you flexibility.
A three-row SUV may allow children to spread out rather than sitting shoulder-to-shoulder for five hours.
A crossover with folding rear seats can accommodate bulky camping equipment.
A pickup truck can keep dirty outdoor gear separate from passengers.
But more space isn't always better.
A larger vehicle can be more difficult to maneuver, may use more fuel, and may simply be unnecessary for smaller households.
The goal is not to find the largest vehicle.
It's to have enough space that passengers and cargo aren't competing for every available inch.
Sedan, SUV or Truck: Which Is Best for Road Trips?
There isn't one correct answer.
Each body style offers advantages.
Sedans
Sedans can make excellent road trip vehicles for individuals, couples, and smaller families.
They can offer comfortable highway driving, good fuel economy, and surprisingly large trunks.
If you don't need a huge amount of cargo space, a sedan may be all the road trip vehicle you need.
Crossovers and SUVs
Crossovers and SUVs provide a useful balance between passenger room and cargo space.
They're particularly convenient for families because many offer flexible seating arrangements and folding rear seats.
Larger SUVs may also provide third-row seating.
For travelers bringing a lot of luggage or outdoor gear, an SUV's enclosed cargo area can be extremely useful.
Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks can be fantastic road trip vehicles for people whose adventures involve more equipment.
Camping, fishing, biking, boating, and other outdoor activities can quickly generate a lot of gear.
A truck bed gives you somewhere to put items you may not want inside the passenger compartment.
Crew cab pickups can also offer spacious rear seating, making them surprisingly comfortable for longer trips.
What About AWD or 4WD?
If your road trips take you through changing weather, rural roads, campgrounds, or areas where snow is common, AWD or 4WD may be worth considering.
All-wheel drive can provide additional traction in certain slippery conditions and is common on many crossovers and SUVs.
Four-wheel drive is frequently found on trucks and more rugged SUVs and can provide additional capability for certain challenging surfaces.
But neither system eliminates the need for appropriate tires or careful driving.
If nearly all of your road trips involve dry highways and maintained roads, front-wheel drive may serve you perfectly well.
Preparing Your Vehicle Before a Road Trip
The features inside your vehicle matter, but its condition matters even more.
Before taking a long trip, check the basics.
Look at your tire pressure and tread. Check fluid levels according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Make sure your lights are working. Fill the windshield washer fluid and inspect the wiper blades.
If you're approaching scheduled maintenance, consider taking care of it before leaving rather than waiting until after the trip.
It is also smart to keep basic emergency supplies in the vehicle.
Indiana State Police recommends that motorists check tires before long trips and keep emergency supplies such as water, food, a charged phone, flashlight, and first-aid supplies available.
A little preparation can prevent a small issue from becoming a major interruption to your trip.
Don't Forget About the Driver
No amount of vehicle technology replaces a rested and attentive driver.
Long-distance driving can be tiring, especially on straight stretches of highway where conditions don't change very often.
Take breaks when you need them.
Switch drivers if possible.
Avoid trying to cover an unrealistic amount of distance simply because you want to arrive sooner.
And put the phone down while you're behind the wheel.
A comfortable vehicle can make a road trip more enjoyable, but safe driving is still the most important part of getting everyone to the destination.
Fall Road Trips Around Fort Wayne
As summer transitions into fall, Northeast Indiana becomes a great place to spend some time on the road.
Changing leaves, cooler temperatures, parks, trails, festivals, orchards, and other seasonal destinations provide plenty of reasons to take a weekend drive.
You don't necessarily have to travel hundreds of miles for a road trip either.
Sometimes an hour or two in the car and a destination you've never visited before is enough.
For Fort Wayne drivers, having a vehicle that's comfortable on both everyday commutes and longer weekend drives can provide the best of both worlds.
Find Your Next Road Trip Vehicle at Big City Cars in Fort Wayne
The perfect road trip vehicle looks different for everyone.
For one driver, it might be a fuel-efficient sedan with comfortable seats and adaptive cruise control.
For another, it's an SUV with three rows, plenty of USB ports, and enough cargo space for the entire family's luggage.
Someone else might want a crew cab pickup with room for passengers inside and camping gear in the bed.
At Big City Cars in Fort Wayne, Indiana, you'll find a changing selection of pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers from a variety of manufacturers.
If you're searching for a used car in Fort Wayne, a spacious used SUV, a capable pickup, or simply something that will make your next long drive more comfortable, consider the features that will actually make a difference once you're on the road.
Because the best road trip vehicle isn't necessarily the biggest, fastest, or most expensive.
It's the one that makes you want to keep driving.
