A Rundown of the Best Credit Cards for Road Trips

Road trips are the quintessential American journey. We live in a big nation and could travel for months on end without hitting an international border. How can you get the most out of your road trip? By snagging the best credit cards for road trips, of course.

Best credit card for fueling up on road trips

Unless you’re driving electric, gasoline is one of the most prominent expenses on a road trip. As you make your way across your county, state, or region, the prices tend to fluctuate, and there’s nothing you can do about it. If one area has expensive gas but you have to fill your tank before moving on, so be it.

As for which credit cards are best for buying gas, consider the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. This card offers 3% cash back at all U.S. gas stations. You can also get 3% cash back on public transit purchases, streaming subscriptions, and groceries—all of which can come in handy on a road trip.

Another option is the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card, which is a gas and grocery credit card that gives 5x points on gas purchases paid at the pump.

Best credit card for managing breakdown on road trips

Your headlights go out on the road? Your tire pops on the hot asphalt? These things happen, and it’s best to be prepared.

The best credit card for car repairs is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Why? Because it offers a 0% interest rate for the first 15 months of having the card.

Auto repairs on the road can get pricy, and you may not be able to pay it all off right away. Emergencies can be tough on the wallet, but that shouldn’t stop you from having your great adventure. Shortly before embarking on your journey, consider getting a card like this one to accompany you. 

Alternatively, the AAA Dollars Mastercard (and AAA Dollars Plus Mastercard) are handy comrades. For the Mastercard, you get 1% in AAA dollars on qualifying net purchases. For the Plus Mastercard, you get 3% back on qualifying AAA and travel purchases. 

Best credit card for road trips using a rental car

If you don’t want to take your own car on a road trip—or don’t own a car to call yours—you may choose to rent a vehicle for your road trip endeavors. For the rental car category, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the winner here.

Currently, if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from opening your account, you get $100,000 bonus points or $1,250 toward travel (“when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®”). Travel and purchase coverage protects you and your rental vehicle during the road trip. It’s also beneficial if you’re taking your own ride.

Got more of the best credit cards for road trips? Let us know

Which credit card do you love to bring on the road? Let us know in the comments below—and have fun planning your upcoming journey!