As millions of Americans gear up to hit the road this summer, a new report from WalletHub has dealt a blow to New Mexico’s tourism outlook. The personal finance website ranked the Land of Enchantment a disappointing 43rd out of 50 states in its 2025 report on the Best & Worst States for Summer Road Trips.
The ranking, released this week, compared all 50 states across 32 metrics, including the number of attractions, gas prices, road safety, car theft rates, and travel-related costs. Despite its rich cultural history and natural beauty, New Mexico performed poorly in several key categories that influence road trip experiences.
According to the data, New Mexico ranked:
- 27th in number of attractions,
- 20th for average gas prices,
- But a dismal 46th in nightlife options per capita,
- 44th in vehicle miles traveled per capita,
- 46th in car thefts per capita,
- 34th in lowest camping prices,
- And a concerning 48th in road fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
“Taking a summer road trip can be a very exciting way to experience a new place, but with the prices of gas, food and accommodations still impacted by inflation, you’ll want to be in a state that makes this type of vacation affordable,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Safe roads are also key, and so is having plenty of worthwhile attractions to stop at along the road.”
New Mexico’s high rate of vehicle fatalities and car thefts contributed significantly to its low overall score, raising concerns about traveler safety during peak tourism months.
WalletHub’s top-ranking state for summer road trips in 2025 was Minnesota, thanks to its strong investment in parks and recreation, numerous summer festivals, and low accident rates.
Experts consulted in the report say the appeal of road trips is rising, in part due to frustrations with air travel.
“With lower gas prices this year, road trips are increasingly attractive,” said Ira L. Rosen, President of Ira L. Rosen LLC and adjunct professor at Temple University. “Also, airlines, airports, and air traffic safety have taken some high-visibility hits this season.”
Ball State University associate professor Craig Webster agreed. “Road trips should become more popular,” he said. “The recent stories about the poor quality of airline customer service and high prices should encourage people to stay with their cars.”
As for how states like New Mexico can improve their standing, experts say it comes down to both safety and smart promotion.
“Local officials should ensure safe driving through law enforcement and better communication of safety risks,” Webster said. “Tourists are more vulnerable than locals — they lack the local knowledge, security networks, and resources.”
Andrei P. Kirilenko of the University of Florida warned that mishandling public safety or crime can have long-lasting consequences. “Mismanaged natural disasters or crime towards tourists create long-lasting ‘mental risk maps,’ which cover an entire region well beyond the original impact,” he said.
While New Mexico remains a visually stunning and culturally rich destination, WalletHub’s data suggests state leaders have work to do in improving road safety, protecting travelers’ vehicles, and investing in tourism infrastructure that can make summer road trips safer and more enjoyable.
The full report is available at: WalletHub’s 2025 Summer Road Trip Rankings.
Oh but remember we have the best “elected” officials in our state. The officials in this state have accomplished their goals in making this the worst state ever.
No doubt our Queen will more than cover this travel deficit by having birthing persons from other states travel here for a medicaid provided abortion.