Memphis Named Top U.S. Road Trip Spot

Travel + Leisure ranks Memphis No. 1 U.S. road trip destination citing low traffic and access.

Memphis, Tennessee, has been named the No. 1 road trip destination in the United States by Travel + Leisure, as reported by AOL.com. The ranking, published Aug. 20, placed the Bluff City ahead of Buffalo, New York, and Salt Lake City, Utah. The recognition stems from an analysis by luxury vacation rental company Wander, which evaluated U.S. vacation destinations across multiple factors including traffic congestion, walkability, safety, green space, climate, and family-friendly attractions. According to AOL.com, the core idea behind the ranking is that spending less time in traffic can mean less stress and more time enjoying a destination.

According to AOL.com, Memphis claimed the top spot in part due to relatively low traffic congestion and its accessibility from Interstates 40, 55, and 22. Wander's travel expert and chief of staff, Matt Kowalewski, told Travel + Leisure that "taking the road less traveled and heading to a less popular vacation destination may be a good way to maximize happiness." Beyond the drive, AOL.com reports that Travel + Leisure highlighted Beale Street and its live music scene, Memphis barbecue, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum as standout attractions visitors can enjoy once they park the car.

The full top 10 ranking, as reported by AOL.com, includes Memphis at No. 1, followed by Buffalo, New York; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Antonio, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Jacksonville, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Phoenix, Arizona; and San Diego, California. Buffalo received the lowest noise pollution score in Wander's study, while Salt Lake City earned the study's highest safety score. According to AOL.com, one common thread among all 10 destinations is relatively low traffic congestion, reinforcing the ranking's emphasis on stress-free travel.

While domestic road trip rankings emphasize traffic and walkability, international travelers face different safety considerations. According to TheTravel, the U.S. State Department updated its Level 2 travel advisory for Panama on Aug. 19, maintaining a crime warning while removing the "unrest" risk indicator—a reminder that safety landscapes shift for popular cruise destinations too. According to AOL.com, all ten top-ranked U.S. road trip cities share relatively low congestion, suggesting travelers increasingly prioritize ease of access. Whether planning a domestic road trip or weighing cruise advisories abroad, traffic, safety, and accessibility remain decisive factors in destination choice.