Best Credit Cards for Road Trips in 2024
With travel costs skyrocketing these days, road trips are an affordable alternative. Whether driving up California’s Highway 1 or packing up for a cross-country trip, a road trip can be a great way to explore more destinations you would otherwise pass through on a plane or cruise. With the flexibility of a car, you can drive off the beaten path and experience unique places at a slower pace and more in-depth. The best part is that you can do it without breaking the bank.
Bringing the right credit card on your road trip can save you money and greatly enhance your travel experience. In fact, many credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses that can help offset the cost of your road trip. A credit card is essential as it allows you to pay for roadside hotel stays, rental cars, gas, and just about everything else. The expenses add up, so why not earn points that you can later use for another vacation?
Why Use a Credit Card for Road Trips?
The right credit card can provide comprehensive travel insurance, ensuring you’re covered in case of emergencies. If you’re renting a car, look for cards that offer primary rental car insurance to avoid purchasing extra coverage from the rental agency. Moreover, opting for a card that waives foreign transaction fees can save you up to 3% on purchases if you’re road-tripping abroad.
Top Credit Cards for Road Trips
Determining the best credit card for your road trip depends on the type of rewards you want to earn, whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee, and which spending categories are most relevant to your travel needs. Here are our top picks:
- Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for Rental Cars: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for Fuel and Dining: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Best for Roadside Attractions: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for No Annual Fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best Overall for Road Trips
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is an excellent choice for road trips. The card offers high rewards on road trip spending, comprehensive travel insurance, and a statement credit for travel expenses. Cardholders earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase Travel—one of the highest rates available.
If you choose to pay for travel and dining directly, you’ll still earn 3 points per dollar spent. Importantly, the card provides primary rental car insurance on U.S. and international bookings, covering up to $75,000 against theft and damage. Additionally, the Sapphire Reserve offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, emergency evacuation, and more.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel.
Annual Fee: $550 ($75 per authorized user).
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Rental Cars
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is ideal if you’re renting a car for your road trip. The card earns 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases. This card also provides primary rental car insurance, which can save you significant money during your trip.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel.
Annual Fee: $95.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for Fuel and Dining
Fuel and dining are significant expenses during road trips. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi provides a generous 4% cash-back bonus on the first $7,000 spent annually on gas and EV charging. Cardholders also earn 3% cash back at restaurants and eligible dining, making this card a strong choice for maximization.
Annual Fee: None.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Roadside Attractions
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is perfect for those who frequent roadside attractions. It earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, plus 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card allows you to easily accumulate rewards without tracking specific category bonuses.
Annual Fee: $95.
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for No Annual Fee
If you want a credit card that rewards your road trip purchases with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is an excellent choice. It earns 3 points per dollar on travel, gas, dining, transit, and streaming purchases, covering many common road trip expenses.
Annual Fee: $0.
Who Should Get a Credit Card for Road Trips?
Anyone who is comfortable using credit cards responsibly should consider a credit card for road trips. These cards can help earn rewards on travel-related expenses, such as dining, gas, and lodging. Additionally, many travel credit cards offer valuable insurance, ensuring you are covered in case of accidents.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card for a Road Trip
When selecting the best credit card for your road trip, consider factors like elevated rewards on common expenses (dining, fuel, hotels), the absence of foreign transaction fees, and rental car insurance. This will ensure you maximize rewards while minimizing any additional costs during your travels.
FAQ
What’s the best credit card for road trips?
The best credit card for road trips depends on your travel needs. Popular options include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture Rewards, and Costco Anywhere Visa Card, all offering great rewards and travel protections for your road trip.
What should you look for in a credit card for road trips?
Look for a generous welcome bonus, high ongoing rewards for travel and dining, rental car insurance, and no foreign transaction fees when selecting a credit card for road trips.
Is it beneficial to bring a credit card on road trips?
Yes, bringing a credit card on road trips provides a secure payment method and often comes with travel and purchase protections, allowing you to save money on future trips through rewards.
What’s the best credit card for rental cars?
The best credit card for rental cars offers high rewards and primary rental car insurance. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a strong candidate as it provides up to 5 points per dollar spent on rental car bookings while covering up to the actual cash value of most rented cars.
Which credit card should I use for international road trips?
For international road trips, choose a credit card offering high rewards on gas, dining, and primary rental car insurance, ensuring coverage while renting vehicles abroad.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
