A good road trip is nothing without a great car. No matter how great the attractions are you plan to visit, or how comfortable your hotel is, the car is the one place you will be spending the majority of your time, and if choose a bad car, that's the part you'll most remember about your road trip.

You need a car that is comfortable, with adjustable seats that change for each driver, and a steering wheel that easily fits your grip. You also should look for a car with a great sound system; even if you only plan on listening to local stations, you are going to want good speakers and a good system. I prefer taking a road trip in a car with a CD player because we create our own mixed CDs for the trip, but the choice is yours. And with the price of gas today, you need a car that gets good gas mileage; a Hummer might be a cool looking car, but by the time you finish filling up even twice, you'll be wishing you picked another car.

Well then, what cars are good for a road trip?

The Pontiac G6 might seem like an odd car to pick for a road trip, but I rented one for a trip from Dayton, Ohio to Charlotte, North Carolina and I can't imagine ever using anything else. There was nearly a foot height difference between the two drivers, and neither of us was ever uncomfortable or disappointed with it. The gas mileage was excellent too; I filled up in Dayton and didn't have to get gas again until halfway through Virginia.

For families traveling on a road trip, the best option is a minivan. The Toyota Sienna has a DVD player inside, cruise control, and electrical outlets. Or try the Honda Element with folding backseats, 26 mpg on gas mileage, and a smooth ride. There's also the Mazda 6 Wagon with a large cargo area, and good gas mileage. Other options for families include the Dodge Magnum, the Volkswagen Touareg, the Ford Explorer, and the Mercury Mountaineer.

Since road trips are usually a once a year or every few years, experience, why not try something luxurious for your trip? The Chevy Corvette and the Ford Mustang both offer convertibles that you might not otherwise get the chance to drive. This is also a great chance to rent a Lexus, a BMW, or another car that is outside your price range. And you can never go wrong with a classic muscle car. Even women will love getting behind the wheel of a piece of American history. They may not have the best gas mileage, but they make for an excellent ride.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Eblin.
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