Flight costs are soaring: The price of a domestic economy ticket jumped 28% between May 18 and the same day last year, according to data from travel booking platform Kayak.
While gas prices are also up — a gallon of regular gas averaged $4.49 nationally on May 26, according to data from AAA — taking a road trip may be more cost-effective for some, including families who need to buy multiple tickets or those taking shorter trips.
If you're taking a road trip, having the right car insurance could help keep costs down and help if have an accident or need roadside assistance. What's more, comparison shopping to get the best price could help you leave more room in your budget for fun.
Here's what you need to know about the best car insurance for road trips. (See our methodology for more on how we chose the best car insurance for road trips.)
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Best for affordability: Geico
Who's this for? Geico's car insurance stands out to budget-conscious drivers: The brand typically offers lower-than-average rates for most age groups, according to data from The Zebra. However, these numbers can fluctuate based on your driving record, location and coverage limits.
Standout benefits: Geico lets customers add on roadside assistance for as little as $14 per year. Additionally, if your trip includes driving in Mexico, Geico can help you get the coverage you need to drive there legally.
- 16 discounts are available to lower premiums
- Easily purchase and manage policy online
- Policy add-ons can include roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Geico auto coverage is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with 16 discounts and add-ons like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Progressive offers an array of riders, including rideshare insurance and a Deductible Savings Bank that deducts $50 each policy period you go without a claim. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers unexpected major system failures.
Best for roadside assistance: Erie
Who's this for? If you don't belong to a travel club or don't have a credit card that could help with roadside assistance, adding it to your car insurance policy could be an option. Erie's roadside service coverage is one of the most affordable we've seen: it starts at just $5 per year, per vehicle.
Standout benefits: Erie's roadside assistance includes a generous towing radius of 20 miles and can also cover trailers.
- Affordable premiums
- High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
- Quotes available online
- Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
- Can't buy a policy online
- Fewer discounts than competitors
Best pay-per-mile car insurance: Nationwide
Who's this for? Those who typically work from home, use alternative transit or are retired could see savings by switching to a pay-per-mile car insurance program. And they wouldn't get dinged for a road trip: Nationwide's SmartMiles program includes a road trip exception, charging you for the first 250 miles you drive in a day.
Standout benefits: Nationwide's pay-per-mile program is available in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina and Oklahoma — a wider footprint than many similar options.
SmartMiles® by Nationwide
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
SmartMiles® is the most widely available pay-per-mile auto insurance, available in 44 states. Mileage is tracked through a device plugged into your vehicle or through your vehicle's existing system. If you take road trips, only the first 250 miles of driving per day count towards mileage.
Pros
- Available in 44 states
- 250-mile road trip exception
- Can save up to 30% according to Nationwide
Cons
- Not available in all states
- Your driving data is tracked
Best for mechanical breakdowns: Allstate
Who's this for? Car owners who want help with unexpected repair costs can add Allstate's extended vehicle care policy — which starts at $19 per month — to their car insurance. It can cover everything from engine and transmission issues to AC and heating problems with a flat $50 deductible.
Standout benefits: If something malfunctions while you're away from home, Allstate's extended vehicle care can also provide up to $500 to help with unexpected lodging, food and other expenses.
Allstate Auto Insurance
Policy highlights
Allstate offers full coverage auto insurance, with add-ons like accident forgiveness, rideshare insurance and mechanical breakdown insurance. Allstate's MileWise pay-per-mile plan can save infrequent drivers up to 40% over a traditional policy.
Accident forgiveness
Yes
Availability
Allstate is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, DC
Read our Allstate auto insurance review
Pros
- Highly rated for claims processing by J.D. Power.
- Up to 25% off with Allstate’s Drivewise telematics app
- Pay-per-mile insurance in 18 states.
- Rideshare insurance available
Cons
- Rates are higher than competitors, especially for high-risk drivers
- Rated below average for overall customer satisfaction in most regions
What car insurance do I need for a road trip?
The car insurance you have at home will likely be just fine for a road trip — your coverage will follow you from state to state. In fact, it can even increase to meet higher limits required in a different state if your coverage is lower than what's required where you travel.
It could be helpful to check your policy's expiration date and familiarize yourself with any policy add-ons or perks. Things like glass coverage that can help you replace your windshield after a crack, or even roadside assistance coverage, could be helpful to know about when you're on the road.
Car insurance FAQs
Does car insurance cover road trips?
Car insurance covers standard road trips and can even cover you if you drive into a state where minimum coverage limits are higher than your policy.
How do I buy car insurance?
To get car insurance, start by getting quotes from several companies that are available in your area. Make sure that the policy's coverage limits and deductibles are the same so you can easily compare them. Once you've found one that you're happy with, you'll sign the documents and make a payment.
How much is car insurance?
The average driver in the U.S. pays $1,163 for six months of coverage, or about $193 per month, according to May data from insurance comparison site The Zebra. However, prices can vary by state and other factors, like your driving record.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every auto insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best car insurance for road trips.
Our methodology
CNBC Select reviewed more than a dozen top car insurance companies, focusing on cost, coverage, customer service, availability and online experience.
We incorporated customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Better Business Bureau, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
Information on average annual premiums is based on data from The Zebra. We considered average rates for drivers between the ages of 20 and 50.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on that criteria, our selections for the best car insurance companies are:
- Best for affordability: Geico
- Best for roadside assistance: Erie
- Best pay-per-mile car insurance: Nationwide SmartMiles
- Best for mechanical breakdowns: Allstate
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