Delaware is one of the best states for a road trip, according to a new study. Find out why

The next time you need to travel regionally, consider skipping trains and planes and hopping in your car for a drive through the Small Wonder now that Delaware has been crowned one of the best states for a road trip.

As temperatures cool off and fall foliage takes over local landscapes, opting for a ride through Delaware is sure to be a scenic experience you’ll be glad you took a chance on.

The best states for a road trip

Insurify , an insurance website, analyzed factors like traffic fatality rates, hotel and Airbnb availability and costs, road quality, attractions, landmarks, activities, gas prices and the proportion of drivers with a driving violation on their record across all 50 states. Insurify then ranked the top routes in the U.S. for road-trippers, based on a variety of criteria, to determine the best states for road trip overall, the best states based on safety and the best states based on affordability.

The data revealed that Delaware ranked No. 4 for best states for a road trip, with a score of 61 out of 100.

Delaware’s high ranking is helped by the high number of beaches compared to the state’s small size, with 80.35 per 10,000 square miles (20 beaches in total). This is higher than the national average of 17.27.

The botanical gardens and zoos in Delaware also bring in high marks, with 44.19 per 10,000 square miles (11 in total). This is more than triple the national average. The last major score for Delaware is the affordability of accommodations. An average Airbnb night costs $146.60 in Delaware compared to the national average of $194.43.

The other states in the top 10 for road trips are:

• Florida at No. 1, with a score of 66.9

• Maryland at No. 2, with a score of 62.1

• New Jersey at No. 3, with a score of 61.4

• South Carolina at No. 5, with a score of 60.5

• Connecticut at No. 6, with a score of 60.3

• Arkansas at No. 7, with a score of 59.6

• Indiana at No. 8, with a score of 59.6

• Illinois at No. 9, with a score of 59.1

• North Carolina at No. 10, with a score of 58.3

Photo-worthy views in Delaware: Of the 100 most breathtaking views in America, 2 are in Delaware. Have you seen them?

The most scenic states for a road trip, according to Insurify, are California, Florida and Washington state. The safest states for a road trip are New Jersey, Louisiana and Arkansas. The most affordable states for a road trip are Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware is one of the best states for a road trip, according to a new study. Find out why