When summer rolls around, it’s time to load everyone up in the family car and head down the road. The cost of airfare is coming down, so some people will choose to fly. For those who want to take advantage of reduced gas prices, though, the summer road trip still reigns supreme.

The toughest decision is where to go. What’s the destination that will fit your budget while also providing you the opportunity to make lasting memories and explore new places? Here are five summer road trip ideas to consider:

 

Wisconsin

Who would have thought that Wisconsin would be a great summer destination? In truth, it provides everything your family is likely looking for. Milwaukee features an annual summer concert festival. There, several of the world’s best acts come to play.

The lakes around Madison are beautiful. You’ll get a chance to enjoy a mixture of the great outdoors and some city life. To the north, your family can enjoy the entertainment of the Wisconsin Dells. Loading up the car and heading to Wisconsin is a surprisingly family-friendly summer road trip idea.

 

Texas Hill Country

Just above San Antonio and into Austin, the Texas Hill Country has unique beauty and excellent weather. It’s a bit milder than the rest of Texas, giving you a chance to take advantage of great hikes like the one at Enchanted Rock.

If your family members are a bit older, you can take them to the wineries in Fredericksburg. No matter how old they happen to be, your family members will enjoy tubing the Guadalupe River.

 

The Outer Banks

If it’s a beach vacation you’re after, the Outer Banks is the perfect road trip destination. In any road trip, you’re likely after beautiful vistas that make the drive easier. The Outer Banks offers just that. You can get away from it all in the northernmost Outer Banks, including Duck and Corolla.

If you want a bit more action, settle in Nags Head. There you’ll find many attractions that your kids will love. It’s a better road trip bet than the South Carolina beaches to the south.

 

The Mid-Atlantic

Most people know that driving into New York City is a terrible summer road trip idea. The Mid-Atlantic has a host of cities that are more car-friendly, however. Washington, D.C. is obviously a great choice for the kids, especially if they haven’t seen new attractions like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

Baltimore features Camden Yards, one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country. Just up Interstate 95 is Philadelphia, where history, culture, and Pat’s King of Steaks awaits to serve your family the best in thinly sliced steak and ooey gooey melted cheese.

 

Wyoming

There’s never been a better time to visit the country’s national parks. In Wyoming, you’ll have a chance to enjoy two of the best parks in the country. Yellowstone gets all of the attention, and rightfully so, but you’ll want to give Grand Teton National Park a try as well.

In the summer, be prepared to fight crowds. If you hope to camp on your road trip, you will need to reserve a space early. It will be worth your time, though, as Wyoming offers incredible beauty mixed with family-friendly adventure.

 

A summer road trip is one of the grand American traditions. With gas prices dipping lower, more people than ever will be loading up the car for the summer. Choose one of these five underrated summer road trip ideas and make memories with your family that won’t be soon forgotten.