Hey there, fellow road trippers and travel enthusiasts!
Have you ever dreamed of taking an unforgettable road trip across the USA, exploring hidden gems, scenic highways, and experiencing unforgettable adventures along the way? Well, I’m here to tell you that not only can you make this dream come true, but you can do it in a way that won’t break the bank!
The key? Credit cards with the best rewards programs. Seriously! It’s all about using the right credit card to rack up points, miles, or cashback, and I’m going to guide you through the process step by step. Trust me, this can completely transform the way you travel, allowing you to save more money, access exclusive perks, and make the most out of every single mile you drive.
Why You Should Use Credit Cards for Your Road Trip
If you’re planning a road trip, there are plenty of expenses to account for: gas, hotels, food, and, of course, fun activities. But what if you could earn rewards on all of those expenses? That’s where credit cards come in! By choosing the right card, you can get points or cashback for every dollar spent, which can then be redeemed for future travel, gift cards, or even just as a statement credit. It’s like earning free money for doing things you’d already be doing!
Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or a quick weekend getaway, road trips are the perfect opportunity to take advantage of travel rewards. So let’s dive into some of the best credit cards for U.S. road trips and how you can use them to fuel your journey!
The Best Credit Cards for Road Trips
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for: Earning points on travel and dining
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best all-around travel cards out there, especially for those who like to road trip. You’ll earn 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X point on everything else. That means every time you grab a bite to eat during your trip or book a hotel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, you’ll rack up valuable points.
Bonus Points: Right now, Chase is offering a generous signup bonus (if you meet the minimum spending requirement), which could help you kick-start your reward balance and save on future trips. You can redeem those points for travel through Chase’s portal, where they’re worth 25% more.
Perks: Beyond rewards, the card offers travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, extended warranties on purchases, and no foreign transaction fees—perfect for both domestic and international road trips.
Why It’s Great for Road Trips: If you like to stay at hotels, eat out, and make sure your car rental is covered, this card will help you rack up points fast! Plus, the travel protections will give you peace of mind during your trip.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for: Earning simple miles on every purchase
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to worry about complicated bonus categories, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is perfect for you. It offers 2X miles on every single purchase—whether you’re at the pump, grabbing lunch, or booking a hotel room.
Bonus Miles: You’ll earn 75,000 miles as a signup bonus if you meet the minimum spending requirement. That’s a lot of miles that can be redeemed for travel expenses like flights, hotel stays, and car rentals.
Perks: This card comes with no foreign transaction fees, and it has a solid travel protection package that covers things like rental car insurance and travel accident insurance.
Why It’s Great for Road Trips: With the Venture card, every purchase you make is rewarded. No need to track categories or special offers—just earn 2 miles per dollar, everywhere! Plus, those miles can be used for more than just flights. Hotel bookings and even car rentals are eligible for redemption, making it perfect for a U.S. road trip.
3. American Express® Gold Card
- Best for: Earning points on dining and travel
Are you a foodie who loves trying local restaurants on the road? The American Express® Gold Card is a dream for anyone who loves dining out while traveling. You’ll earn 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Bonus Points: The Amex Gold card offers a solid signup bonus, which can be used for flights, hotel stays, and more. The card’s points can be redeemed through American Express Membership Rewards or transferred to one of their airline or hotel partners.
Perks: Cardholders get access to exclusive dining experiences, travel protections like car rental insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
Why It’s Great for Road Trips: Whether you’re stopping in a new town for a bite to eat or booking a flight to your next adventure, this card maximizes rewards on dining and travel. It’s perfect for road trippers who want to make the most of their food stops and accommodations.
4. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for: Earning cashback on gas and groceries
If you’re looking for cashback instead of travel points, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a fantastic option. It offers 3% cashback on U.S. gas station purchases (which is perfect for road trips!) and 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, among other benefits.
Bonus Cashback: You can earn a significant amount of cashback with this card right off the bat through a solid introductory offer. The cashback can be redeemed for statement credits, or you can use it toward gift cards and more.
Perks: The Blue Cash Preferred® card comes with some impressive protections, including purchase protection and extended warranties, along with no annual fee for the first year (then a relatively low annual fee after that).
Why It’s Great for Road Trips: With gas stations being a major part of your expenses on a road trip, this card lets you earn 3% cashback on every fill-up, which adds up fast!
5. Citi Premier® Card
- Best for: Earning points on travel, dining, and gas
The Citi Premier® Card is a great option for road trips because it offers 3X points on travel, including gas stations, as well as 2X points on dining and entertainment. Whether you’re filling up your tank, grabbing food at a local restaurant, or booking a hotel, you’ll earn solid rewards.
Bonus Points: Citi offers a great signup bonus with this card, and the points you earn can be transferred to a wide variety of airline partners for even more travel possibilities.
Perks: Travel protections include car rental insurance, trip cancellation, and baggage delay coverage, giving you peace of mind on the road.
Why It’s Great for Road Trips: The Citi Premier® Card is perfect for anyone who wants to earn points for gas, dining, and travel-related expenses—making it a great fit for road trips where those expenses pile up quickly.
Tips for Maximizing Rewards on Your Road Trip
Now that you know the best cards to use, let’s talk about how to maximize those rewards during your road trip. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your credit card rewards:
- Sign Up for Gas Station Offers: Many credit cards offer additional rewards or cashback for spending at certain gas stations. Look for bonus categories and take advantage of special promotions for extra savings.
- Use Your Points for Hotel Stays: Some credit cards allow you to redeem points for hotel stays. Look for partnerships with major hotel chains to maximize your rewards on accommodation.
- Track Your Spending: It’s easy to rack up rewards on a road trip, but it’s also easy to forget where you’re spending. Keep track of your purchases to ensure you’re using the right card for the right categories and making the most of your rewards.
- Redeem Your Rewards Wisely: Many cards offer the option to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which can provide more value per point. Consider transferring points for flights or accommodations to get the most out of your rewards.
Conclusion: Road Trips, Rewards, and Freedom
With the right credit cards, your road trip dreams can become a reality—without the stress of high costs. Whether you’re earning miles, points, or cashback, you’ll be setting yourself up for more adventures with less financial strain. By planning ahead and maximizing your credit card rewards, you can unlock travel experiences that are richer and more affordable than you might think.
What’s your next road trip destination? I’d love to hear about your travel plans and how you’re using credit cards to make it all happen! Share your thoughts below, and let’s continue the journey toward smarter travel together!
