The best cars for traveling in California

It’s hard to find a better place to travel by car in the US than California. There is everything you need for an exciting trip and a great time. To make your adventure enjoyable and comfortable, you need to choose the right car for each specific route. This is not the most straightforward task, so it is essential to give it due attention.

Criteria for an ideal car for traveling around California
A properly selected vehicle is the key to a successful trip. The case of California is no exception.

Cars that meet several essential criteria are best suited for traveling around its territory. The main one is safety. Most major cities in the country experience heavy traffic, which leads to frequent accidents. The same situation is observed on the most popular tourist routes. In this regard, choosing cars equipped with numerous modern safety systems is essential. They will protect you from damage in the event of an accident and give you greater confidence on the road.

Almost all of California has strict speed limits. Because of this, even cars with a low maximum speed can be chosen for travel. For the same reason, California is not ideal for sports cars. There are very few places on its territory where you can accelerate well and feel their full potential. In addition, it is essential to consider that many of the state’s popular driving routes are near various national parks. Because of this, it is best to choose hybrid or all-electric models for travel. It will not negatively impact nature and will help preserve the entire region’s ecology. It is more profitable to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles at car auctions in San Jose and other large cities in California. This will provide an opportunity to save, leaving more money to pay for various purchases and entertainment, without which no trip is complete.

Where and in what car is it better to travel around California
California is so diverse that every traveler can find a suitable location for themselves. Here, you can ride along the coast, visit the largest cities in the state, enjoy the beauty of national parks and feel the majesty of the local mountains. On every such adventure, you will need a good car that can cope with all the difficulties encountered along the way and provide comfort and security.

Coast
One of the most exciting routes is the drive along the California coast. This location is home to the famous SR 1 Highway, which will take you to the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Along the 656 miles (1,056 km) of this road, you will encounter a variety of natural attractions, developed recreation areas and numerous beaches. Before you go along the coast, ensure you have a suitable car for this. The ideal option for sunny summer weather would be a convertible, hatchback or an excellent touring SUV.

The open-top Jeep Wrangler is one of the best vehicles for cruising the California coast. It will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and unhindered observation of the surrounding landscapes. The presence of all-wheel drive distinguishes modern modifications of the Jeep Wrangler. You will need it when you want to turn off the highway and ride along some dirt road. Travelers who prefer closed cars should choose the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Audi A3 Sportback, Ford Focus ST, Hyundai i30 N and other similar hatchbacks.

They all have good handling, essential when driving along the winding road along the coast. In addition, most of these cars are equipped with a panoramic sunroof, allowing passengers to enjoy the clouds passing across the sky.

Large cities
Driving around California can be fun even if you don’t take any popular routes but move from one major city to another. Such a trip may include visits to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and other cities, where there is always something to see and where to have a good time. However, if you are planning just such a trip, be sure to take into account heavy traffic. According to statistics, California leads all states in registered cars. Due to this, it is essential to choose a vehicle that will give you a feeling of comfort while traveling to such places.

The best car for traveling around cities would be a compact and easy to drive. It must be equipped with various protection systems and numerous additions that can simplify the driver’s task and increase the comfort of passengers. Among the models ideal for such a trip are the Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 208, Ford Fiesta, Audi A1 and other similar cars. All of them are as easy as possible to operate and have good sound insulation, protecting you from the annoying loud sounds of big cities. An alternative could be a variety of vehicles that use fuel or battery energy sparingly. They will help reduce your costs in cases where you have to stand in traffic jams for a long time before heading to the next point on the chosen route.

National parks
California is a paradise for nature lovers. This state is home to 8 national parks, which occupy a vast area and are also home to various animals and plants. You can visit such places by adequately organizing your car trip. It can cover several natural locations simultaneously, each of which will surprise you. When traveling to environmentally friendly areas of the state, it is best to use an appropriate car that will not harm the environment.

When choosing a vehicle for traveling through California’s national parks, you should immediately pay attention to models with an electric motor. It is also essential that such cars are quite comfortable, safe and easy to drive. Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and others meet all the above criteria. Hybrid models can be considered as a backup option. When traveling through protected areas, you will need to use battery power; when moving from one national park to another, you will need to use some fuel. The best hybrid vehicles for California are the Ford C-Max Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and others.

Mountain roads
California is famous for its beaches on the coast and its various natural sites, particularly its mountains. There are so many of the latter that it would take a whole day to mention each. They even include 12 peaks over 14,000 feet high. To enjoy their beauty and grandeur, you must go on a car trip along one of the famous mountain roads. Naturally, for such a trip, you will need a suitable car that will easily overcome various obstacles and provide you with high comfort.

SUVs are the best way to travel through the California mountains. It is desirable that they have all-wheel drive and high ground clearance and be distinguished by fuel efficiency, good maneuverability, and excellent handling. Choosing cars that provide a quiet ride that does not disturb the natural idyll around you is equally vital. The best options for every trip on mountain roads would be the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass, Ford Ranger, Mercedes-Benz G500, Nissan Xterra Pro-4X, Dodge Ram Power Wagon and others. They will give you confidence behind the wheel and help you fully enjoy your trip.

A road trip through California can be the most memorable adventure of your life. To do this, you need to choose the right direction of movement and get behind the wheel of a suitable car. In this case, you will not experience discomfort while driving and will be able to feel completely safe. Such a trip will give you a lot of positive emotions and energize you for many weeks to come.

The article The best cars for traveling in California first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.