Summer is just around the corner and we’re starting to make our road trip plans with a search for the best rental car companies, gas stations, campgrounds, roadside attractions, motels, and more. To help decide the best of the best, vote for your favorites across 10 categories once per day until voting closes on Monday, May 6 at noon ET.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Gas Station Brand
These gas station brands are top picks for road trip stops — Photo courtesy of DjelicS / E+
On December 1, 1913, America’s first drive-in gas station opened in Pennsylvania. Instead of hauling gasoline cans from pharmacies, motorists could now pull up, refuel, and keep on driving. As more and more families owned cars (and lived further and further from city centers), fueling stations began popping up along highways across America.
Today, we measure a gas station experience by much more than just the fuel, though. How clean are the bathrooms? How fresh is the coffee? What snack options are available? These 20 brands — nominated by an expert panel — cater to the needs of drivers in all of these ways.
Which gas station do you always stop at?
Vote: Best Gas Station Brand »
Best Gas Station for Food
Which gas station chain has the best food? — Photo courtesy of Atstock Productions / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Gas stations, convenience stores, and truck stops are more than just a place to grab a quick bite when you’re on the go. They’re serving up delicious food and snacks that make them destinations in and of themselves, from fried chicken and pizza to organic salads and veggie burritos.
USA TODAY 10Best editors have teamed up with a panel of seasoned road warriors to highlight their 20 favorite gas station stops for food across the U.S., and we need your help to crown the best of the best.
Which gas station is your go-to when you’re hungry?
Vote: Best Gas Station for Food »
Best Glamping Spot
Getting back in touch with nature doesn’t mean you have to leave comfort behind — Photo courtesy of Ryan McVay / Photodisc
Glamping, or “glamorous camping,” has received a lot of attention in recent years. This form of campground lodging combines the minimalistic nature of camping with modern amenities and creature comforts, and these 20 glamping spots nominated by an expert panel offer some of the best locations and amenities in the United States.
Which glamping spot would you most like to explore?
Vote: Best Glamping Spot »
Best Luxury RV Resort
Luxury RV resorts allow you to bring your RV to places with five-star amenities — Photo courtesy of simonapilolla / iStock / Getty Images Plus
A stay at these 20 luxury RV resorts, nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S, gives you the best of both worlds — the comforts of your own RV with the amenities of a five-star resort. The perks go far beyond full hookups and Wi-Fi; many include extras like swimming pools, movie theaters, tennis courts, private docks, and full-service spas.
Which luxury RV resort would you most like to visit?
Vote: Best Luxury RV Resort »
Best National Park Lodge
Which national park is your favorite to overnight at? — Photo courtesy of wbritten / E+
National park lodges offer travelers the opportunity to enjoy overnight stays in the midst of some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
There are fewer than 100 national park lodges, and an expert panel has nominated 20 of their top picks, each one offering stunning “parkitecture” — we’re talking design that blurs the line between structures and their natural surroundings, from huge stone fireplaces to majestic wooden pillars.
Which national park lodge would you most like to stay at?
Vote: Best National Park Lodge »
Best Rental Car Company
Which rental car company do you rent from again and again? — Photo courtesy of champpixs / iStock / Getty Images Plus
When it comes to hitting the road, whether for business or pleasure, the choice of rental car company can make all the difference. With a plethora of options available, each boasting unique benefits and services, how do you decide which to choose?
From the ease of booking to the quality of customer service, and the condition of the vehicle itself, every aspect counts. With that in mind, an expert panel has nominated their top picks for the best rental car companies.
Which rental car company do you favor?
Vote: Best Rental Car Company »
Best Roadside Attraction
Which roadside attraction are you pulling over to check out? — Photo courtesy of AJ_Watt / E+
America’s highways are dotted with countless cultural and quirky landmarks that capture the attention of travelers. They’re more than just stops along the way; they’re destinations in their own right, each with a story to tell.
To find the best places to check out during your next road trip, an expert panel has nominated their top picks for the best roadside attractions across the U.S. — all just a short detour from a major highway.
Which roadside attraction is your favorite?
Vote: Best Roadside Attraction »
Best Roadside Motel
Roadside motels are quick and cozy stops — Photo courtesy of andipantz / iStock / Getty Images Plus
During the early years of the 20th century, Americans took to the nation’s brand-new highways, and roadside motels (a portmanteau of “motor hotel”) popped up to accommodate these travelers. Many of these historic motels have gotten retro-chic makeovers, blending their vintage charm with modern amenities.
These 20 properties have been nominated by an expert panel as the best roadside motels across the United States. Which roadside motel would you most like to spend the night at?
Vote: Best Roadside Motel »
Best RV Campground
Which RV campground gets your vote? — Photo courtesy of simon2579 / E+
These 20 RV campgrounds, nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S., offer great amenities, beautiful scenery, and access to some of the country’s most interesting places.
Which RV campground would you most like to spend some time at?
Vote: Best RV Campground »
Best Vintage Trailer Hotel
Go retro with your next vacation by staying at a vintage trailer hotel — Photo courtesy of Vasyl Dolmatov / iStock / Getty Images Plus
You don’t have to own an RV to enjoy the trailer camping experience. These 20 vintage trailer hotels — nominated as the best in the U.S. by an expert panel — transform restored Airstreams and vintage trailers into unique accommodations set amid some of the nation’s best scenery.
Which vintage trailer hotel would you most like to check into?
Vote: Best Vintage Trailer Hotel »
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, May 15.
