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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.
Comparing the best cards for road trips
| Card name | Annual fee | Gas rewards | Bankrate score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | $0 |
|
4.4/5 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®* | $550 |
|
5.0/5 |
| Discover it® Chrome | $0 |
|
4.0/5 |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $0 |
|
4.6/5 |
| The Credit One Bank® Wander card | $95 |
|
3.2/5 |
Top cards for road trips
Best for expansive travel credit categories
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Many of the travel purchase categories covered with this card’s statement credit option are not common among other travel credit cards, making this card a unique option for covering plenty of 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.
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Pros
- Its intro APR on purchases and balance transfers offers room for managing debt.
- Preferred Rewards members can boost rewards rates by up to 75 percent, which could make this one of the most rewarding flat-rate cards.
Cons
- You need at least $25 worth of cash back to redeem your rewards, which can be restrictive if you want your money once it’s owed to you.
- Its limited travel benefits don’t compare well to other travel cards’ benefits.
*The information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card was last updated on February 11, 2025.
Best for renting a car
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The Sapphire Reserve covers any rental car booked with the card for up to $75,000 for collision damage, theft or physical damage. You can also 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). These perks combined make it a great pick for renting a car, but it’ll be a great card for just about any traveler if you can stomach its high annual fee.
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Pros
- Carries a $300 travel credit each anniversary year, making up for more than half of the card’s annual fee.
- Offers a wide collection of travel protection benefits to help you worry less on your journeys.
Cons
- Lacks luxury airport lounge and hotel benefits, which are widely available on competing travel rewards cards.
- You’ll need an excellent credit score to qualify for this card, so it’s not the most accessible for average users.
Best for gas stations
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Along with a solid rewards rate for gas, cardholders will get a dollar-for-dollar match for all the cash back they earn at the end of the first year. Discover’s welcome offer helps you essentially double the cash back for everything you spend in your first year. If you have a road trip coming up, a card like this could be a handy addition to your wallet because you’ll be able to use it for just about anything and still earn a decent rewards rate.
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Pros
- It’s a forgiving card regarding rates and fees. It skips annual and foreign transaction fees while also not charging a penalty APR or late payment fees (the first time you pay late).
- Discover will match all of the cash back you earn in your first year, whether you earn $10 back or $1,000, giving it the potential to be the most rewarding welcome offer.
Cons
- Lacks travel perks that you’ll easily find on more rewarding (if not more expensive) alternatives.
- The highest-earning spending categories have a combined quarterly rewards cap, so people who spend over the limit will stunt their rewards balance.
Best for snack runs
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This card will help you maximize your rewards on purchases at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, making it the perfect companion for stocking your snack bag for all your travels. But this card isn’t just great for snack runs on the go. Its fair rewards rate can help you keep cash back in your wallet year-round because it earns generously in everyday spending categories that align with most people’s budgets.
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Pros
- Valuable perks and credits make this a great card for scooping up extra benefits.
- Its mix of everyday categories makes it easy for anyone to rack up a solid cash back rewards balance.
Cons
- You won’t earn boosted rewards at wholesale clubs or superstores, which often have the best deals and prices for buying in bulk.
- Its spending cap for U.S. supermarket purchases could be restrictive if you spend more than $6,000 annually on groceries.
Best for travelers with fair credit
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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.
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Pros
- Its generous rewards rates aren’t tied to specific hotel or airline brands, so you can shop around for the best deal.
- You can qualify with fair credit and without a hard inquiry to your credit report.
Cons
- Its $95 annual fee is fairly high for a card that lacks extra travel perks, and is potentially out of reach for fair credit users without extra money to spend.
- It has a fairly restrictive rewards and redemption system so it could be difficult to plan your trips.
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.
Frequently asked questions about cards for road trips
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It can be worth picking up a good travel card for your road trip if you plan to spend a lot of money on gas, at restaurants or on hotel stays. Many times, the best cards for road trips are also great all-around credit cards with valuable rewards in everyday spending categories.
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A travel card can help you earn rewards and make the most of tertiary benefits, plus they’re more secure payment methods.
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The best card for gas purchases is one that rewards 2 percent cash back or more for purchases at gas stations. Anything lower will not give you a generous amount of cashback or rewards.
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.
*The information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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