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Best Chevy Vehicles for Road Trips

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Side view of 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV driving down road
Photo: Chevrolet

As you hit the open road this summer, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing the perfect vehicle to make your trip as efficient, comfortable, and memorable as possible. Chevrolet’s lineup is packed with vehicles that are ideal for road trips, including the Malibu, Bolt, Blazer, and Traverse.


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Chevy Malibu

2021 Chevrolet Malibu parked by the a house in front of the ocean
Photo: Chevrolet

If fuel efficiency is on your road-trip priority list, check out the Chevy Malibu. With impressive fuel efficiency for a gas-powered sedan, confident handling, and plenty of rear legroom, it’s the perfect choice for heading across the state, or across the country.

The Malibu’s standard engine is a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That motor is paired with a continuously variable transmission and rated by the EPA at 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Choosing the top-of-the-line Premium model gets you a 2.0-liter turbo engine paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and good for 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That powertrain is rated at 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

  • Blue 2021 Chevrolet Malibu cruising down the highway
  • 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Premier
  • 2021 Chevrolet Malibu2021 Chevrolet Malibu Premier interior in Light Wheat
  • 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Premier interior

In terms of space, the Malibu boasts 41.5 inches of front and 38.1 inches of rear legroom. The trunk has a volume capacity of 15.7 cubic feet, which is plenty if you’re heading for a weekend away or packing light for a longer trip.

Chevy offers the Malibu in five trims: L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier. Standard features on the L include a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch diagonal color touch screen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus, cruise control, and a rear vision camera. Moving up to the LS adds 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Chevy Teen Driver, and Buckle to Drive technology. The RS adds an eight-way power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a rear-seat armrest. LT models come with dual-zone automatic climate control, heated driver and front passenger seats, remote start, SiriusXM, and LED running lamps. Finally, choosing the Premier adds a six-way power front passenger seat, Bose premium nine-speaker audio system, driver memory system, HD rear vision camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped shift knob, and ventilated front seats.

Chevy Bolt

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV rear angled view
Photo: Chevrolet

If you want to save gas and be kind to Mother Nature while driving across the country, choose the Chevrolet Bolt. This fully electric vehicle boasts an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles on a full charge. Chevrolet also provides information on how to drive efficiently to get the most out of your charge, as well as pointing you to charging stations along your route, through the myChevrolet mobile app. Level 2 charging will get you about 39 miles per hour of charge, while DC fast charging will add up to 100 miles of range in about half an hour.

  • Close-up of 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV charging port
  • 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV in front of a house
  • 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV driver side interior
  • 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV cargo bay

The electric Chevy Bolt provides plenty of space to store your stuff — up to 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. If you need to keep the rear seats up, you’ll have access to 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Leg room equals 44.2 inches in the front row and 36.01 inches in the second row.

The Bolt comes in two trim levels: 1LT and 2LT. The 1LT model comes with LED headlamps, an HD rear vision camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and Chevy Safety Assist. Upgrading to the 2LT model gets you leather seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Rear Park Assist, and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert.

Chevy Blazer

2022 Front side view of Chevrolet Blazer Premier driving on mountain road
Photo: Chevrolet

The Chevy Blazer is a capable crossover that seats up to five and can tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. That makes it the perfect road trip vehicle for a small family who uses a lightweight RV or pop-up camper.

The standard engine on the 2021 Blazer is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain pumps out 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. There are also options for a 2.0-liter turbo engine (227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque) and a 3.6-liter V6 (308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque). When equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo engine and FWD, the Blazer has a maximum EPA-estimated fuel efficiency rating of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

  • The Front side view of red 2022 Chevrolet Blazer RS parked on street
  • 2021 Chevrolet Blazer
  • 2019 Chevrolet Blazer cargo space

The Blazer is offered in six trim levels: L, 1LT, 2LT, 2LT, RS, and Premier. The L comes with 18-inch wheels and the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with an 8-inch diagonal color touch screen. Moving up the lineup, the 1LT offers available heated seats and extra safety tech. The 2LT can be configured with AWD and the Trailering Package. The 3LT has perforated leather-trimmed seats and standard Chevy Safety Assist features. RS models come with unique RS styling, 20-inch wheels, and black perforated leather seats with red accents. Finally, the range-topping Premier model has a unique chrome-trimmed horizontal grille, jet black/maple sugar perforated leather seats, and available AWD.

Chevy Traverse

2021 Chevrolet Traverse Premier
2021 Chevrolet Traverse Premier
Photo: Chevrolet

For larger families or those with dogs, there’s no better road trip vehicle than the Chevy Traverse. This midsize SUV can seat up to eight across its three rows. It also has best-in-class cargo space and plenty of family-friendly comfort, entertainment, and safety features.

With the second and third rows folded, the Traverse has a whopping maximum cargo capacity of 98.2 cubic feet. With just the third row folded, you still get 57.8 cubic feet of room, and with all rows in place there’s 23 cubic feet.

The Traverse comes with a standard 3.6-liter V6 across all trims. That engine is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and produces 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Fuel efficiency is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with FWD; that decreases slightly to 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with AWD. When properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

  • The front row of the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
  • 2021 Chevrolet Traverse High Country
  • 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
  • 2020 Chevrolet Traverse Red Line

Traverse trim levels include L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. In the L and LS models, you’ll get 10 cupholders, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Active Noise Cancellation, and the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a 7-inch diagonal color touch screen. LT Cloth and Leather models are similar, but (shockingly) the LT Leather has leather seats, while the LT Cloth has cloth seats. RS models come with an automatic heated steering wheel, Automatic Emergency Braking, a Bose premium audio system, and built-in navigation. The Premier adds heated and ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats, memory settings, and perforated leather seat trim. Finally, the High Country model boasts additional safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking.


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These four models are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to road-trip-ready Chevys.