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Best Credit Cards for Road Trips
Best cards for gas, hotels, dining and rental cars — earn more on every mile of the drive.
August 19, 2026
Best cards for gas, hotels, dining and rental cars — earn more on every mile of the drive.
August 19, 2026
Road trippers tend to spend money in very different ways. Instead of booking flights, they're filling up at gas stations, stopping for meals along the highway, paying for hotels and motels and sometimes renting a car to continue their journey.
"The perks, benefits and multipliers of travel cards can leave road trippers feeling left out. Without access to airport lounges, for example, some of the fees that go along with premium cards may not feel worthwhile."
That's why choosing the right card matters. A credit card that's great for frequent flyers may not be the best fit for a family driving to the beach, a couple taking a weekend getaway or someone setting out on a cross-country adventure. The right card can help you earn more rewards on the purchases that make up the bulk of a road trip budget, from every tank of gas to every overnight stay.
Citi Strata Premier® Card: Best overall for road trippers
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for gas station spending
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for hotel stays on the road
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Best with no annual fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Best for car rental coverage
“The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card has a $0 annual fee, which is a rarity for a card that has strong earning rates. It earns 3x points per dollar on a broad set of categories that are relevant for road trips from restaurants, gas stations, tolls, parking, hotels, campground fees, and car rentals. These categories pretty much cover every major expense that you can expect when doing a road trip, making it possible to maximize earnings with a single card."
Card name | Best for | Rewards rate | Welcome offer | Annual fee |
Citi Strata Premier® Card | Best overall | Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. | $95 |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi | Best for gas station spending | 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other gas purchases (on up to $7,000 in gas spending annually, then 1% back) 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com 1% back on other purchases | None | $0 with Costco membership |
World of Hyatt Credit Card | Best for hotel stays on the road | 9x points on paid Hyatt stays 2x points at restaurants, flights booked with airlines, local transit and commuting, fitness clubs and gym memberships 1x points on other purchases | 75,000 bonus points — 45,000 after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months from account opening, plus up to 30,000 more by earning 2 bonus points per $1 spent on up to $15,000 in purchases in your first 6 months. (Limited-time offer expires August 20, 2026. Subject to change; verify current offer at chase.com before applying. Welcome bonus terms apply. Subject to credit approval.)" | $95 |
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card | Best with no annual fee | Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. | Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. | $0 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Best for car rental coverage | Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and 3x online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases | Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $95 |
The best road-trip credit cards reward the purchases you're most likely to make on the road, including gas, hotels, restaurants and car rentals. That's why many of the top options offer bonus categories, which simply means you earn more rewards in specific spending categories.
Pay attention to each card's earn rate, or the number of points or cash back you earn per dollar spent. Also note that some cards have strict definitions for gas station purchases and may exclude fuel bought at warehouse clubs or superstores.
If you're planning to rent a car, check whether a card offers primary or secondary rental car coverage. Primary coverage can help pay for covered damage before your personal auto insurance is involved, while secondary coverage typically kicks in afterward.
You'll also want to decide whether you prefer points or cash back and whether any annual fee is worth the rewards and perks you'll receive.
“For frequent road trippers, a hotel credit card can be a great option. That way, you’re earning rewards every time you stay at your go-to hotel chain, and you can later redeem your rewards for free nights. Another option is to get a rewards credit card with bonus rewards categories that align with typical road trip spending, such as gas and dining."
| Citi Strata Premier® Card: Best overall card for road trips Earning rates: Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. Annual fee: $95 Other benefits:
Our verdict: The Citi Strata Premier® Card is a strong choice for road trips because it rewards many of the purchases travelers make along the way. You'll earn bonus points on gas stations, EV charging, restaurants, supermarkets and hotels, which can help you rack up rewards whether you're heading out for a weekend getaway or a cross-country drive. The card also offers elevated earnings on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel, making it useful for planning and paying for your trip. With bonus categories that align closely with real-world road trip spending, it's our top overall pick for drivers. |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for gas station spending Earning rates: 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other gas purchases ($7,000 cap applies to combined Costco and other eligible gas/EV charging spending), 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% back on other purchases Welcome offer: None Annual fee: $0 with paid Costco membership Other benefits:
Our verdict: The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is hard to beat for road trippers who spend a lot on fuel. Not only does it offer exceptional rewards at Costco gas stations, but it also rewards gas purchases made elsewhere, helping frequent drivers earn more throughout the year. The card also earns bonus cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, two other common road trip expenses. If you're already a Costco member, this card can be an easy way to maximize rewards on the cost of getting from point A to point B. |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for hotel stays on the road Earning rates: 9x points on paid Hyatt stays, 2x points at restaurants, flights booked with airlines, local transit and commuting, fitness clubs and gym memberships and 1x points on other purchases Welcome offer: 75,000 bonus points — 45,000 after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months from account opening, plus up to 30,000 more by earning 2 bonus points per $1 spent on up to $15,000 in purchases in your first 6 months. Annual fee: $95 Other benefits:
Our verdict: The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a standout option for road trippers who regularly stay in hotels along the way. In addition to earning generous rewards on Hyatt stays, cardholders can often redeem points for free nights starting at just 8,000 points per night, making it easier to stretch a travel budget. The card's annual free night certificate adds even more value for frequent travelers, and Hyatt's award chart can offer excellent redemption rates compared to other hotel programs. If hotel stays are one of your biggest road trip expenses, this card deserves a close look. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Best with no annual fee Earning rates: Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Annual fee: $0 Other benefits:
Our verdict: The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a strong no-annual-fee option for road trippers who want solid rewards without paying to keep a card open. It earns 3x points on gas, travel, dining and transit, which lines up well with the everyday costs of a road trip. The included roadside dispatch can also be helpful if you run into trouble on the road. For travelers who want simple, flexible rewards on common road trip spending, this card is an easy pick. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Best for car rental coverage Earning rates: Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and 3x online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Annual fee: $95 Other benefits:
Our verdict: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a strong fit for road trippers who plan to rent a car along the way. Its biggest advantage is primary auto rental coverage, which can help cover damage without needing to go through your personal insurance first. On top of that, it earns bonus points on travel, dining and gas stations, so you can build rewards while you’re on the road. With solid travel protections and flexible points, it’s a reliable all-around option for road trips that involve car rentals and overnight stays. |
Choosing the right card comes down to how you actually spend money on the road. Here are a few things to think about:
Where you spend the most money: Start with your biggest road trip costs. If most of your budget goes to gas, look for a card with enhanced gas rewards. If hotels are your biggest expense, focus on cards that earn more on hotel stays.
Bonus categories vs. simple rewards: Some cards give extra rewards in specific categories like gas, dining or travel. Others keep it simple with a flat rate on everything. Bonus categories can help you earn more, but flat rewards are easier to track.
Gas rewards rules: Some cards exclude fuel bought at warehouse clubs or superstores, so check the fine print if gas is your main focus.
Rental car coverage: If you plan to rent a car, auto rental coverage can be a big perk. Primary coverage is more valuable because it helps pay for damage before your personal insurance is involved.
Annual fee vs. rewards value: Some of the best road trip cards charge an annual fee each year. Make sure the rewards and perks you’ll actually use are worth paying for.
Cash back vs. points: Cash back is straightforward and easy to use. Points can sometimes be more flexible, but they may take a little more effort to maximize.
“Consumers should focus on cards that help them earn on their largest expense like gas, dining, groceries, rental cars, and hotels. In addition, earning rates, flexibility matters. The best rewards programs allow travelers to redeem points for hotel stays, rental cars or transfer those points to hotel loyalty programs."
Does my credit card cover rental car insurance on road trips?
Some credit cards include rental car insurance, but coverage varies by card. Primary coverage is more valuable because it pays for covered damage before your personal auto insurance, while secondary coverage only kicks in after.
Is a travel card or cash back card better for road trips?
It depends on your spending style, but cash back cards are usually simpler and easier to use. Travel cards can offer more value if you spend heavily on hotels, gas and dining and are comfortable managing points.
What’s the best credit card for booking hotels on the road?
Hotel-branded cards like the World of Hyatt Credit Card offer bonus rewards on hotel stays and discounted award nights. General travel cards can also work well if you want flexibility across different hotel brands.
Should road trippers redeem their rewards for statement credits?
"For travelers focused on reducing out-of-pocket costs, cashing points out as a statement credit at one cent each is a solid secondary strategy. Redeeming for gift cards is possible but adds unnecessary steps for essentially the same return." - Travel rewards expert Jimmy Yoon Head of point.me
Citi Strata Premier® Card — Citi.com (rewards rates, welcome offer, annual fee, benefits)
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi — Citi.com (rewards rates, fee, terms)
World of Hyatt Credit Card — Chase.com (rewards rates, welcome offer, annual fee, benefits)
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card — WellsFargo.com (rewards rates, welcome offer, fee)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® — Chase.com (rewards rates, welcome offer, annual fee, benefits)
The Point (Rachel Lipson) — expert quote attribution
point.me (Jimmy Yoon, Head of Points Intelligence) — expert quote attribution
Natasha Etzel — expert quote attribution
Ben's Big Deal (Ben Komenkul) — expert quote attribution
Holly Johnson is a money and insurance expert who has covered personal finance, credit cards and insurance for over a decade. She is passionate about explaining the ins and outs of financial products to consumers, and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love." She lives in Indiana with her husband and children.
