National Press Release

COSTA MESA, Calif., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Gas prices may be higher than ever, but road trips are still far less expensive than getting on a plane, especially with soaring airline costs. NADAguides.com, a vehicle pricing and information website, has identified the best cars for weekend getaways that provide the least pain at the pump, while still accommodating a variety of travelers. And, by the way, all of these cars are available for rent at national car rental agencies, if you're not shopping for a new car right now, or if your current vehicle isn't quite fit for long-distance travel.

Here are NADAguides.com's top choices for Best Road Trip Cars, for various types of travelers, and the costs associated with hitting the road for an 800- mile trip:*

For the Gas Conscious

If gas prices are your top concern, but you're anxious to take to the highway anyway, two great hybrid cars are the 2008 Toyota Prius and the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. With a combined average fuel economy of 46 mpg, the Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle on the list, costing about $71 for a road trip. "This midsize car offers a sizable amount of cargo space and a generous 38.6 inches of legroom in the rear seat, which makes it a good choice for a family of four," says Tara Baukus Mello, senior writer and lead market analyst for NADAguides.com. "Plus, adults and kids alike will have fun watching the seven-inch display monitor for the Hybrid Synergy Drive system to see how gas mileage fluctuates depending on driving style."

A good choice for two couples or a family with older children is the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, which costs about $131 in gas for a road trip. "Thoroughly redesigned for 2008, the Malibu is a strong performer in a super comfortable package, and with 25 mpg, it's easy on the wallet," says Baukus Mello.

For Top-Down Thrill Seekers

If a road trip wouldn't be fun without the wind blowing through your hair, check out the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder or the 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. "Couples will enjoy the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's sporty look, both inside and out, while the multi-layer automatic cloth top provides a quiet ride when up and folds out of sight in about 19 seconds," she says. Achieving 22 combined mpg, a road trip in the Eclipse Spyder would incur gas costs of about $148.

With 23 mpg, the 2008 Chrysler Sebring will use about $142 in gas during a road trip. "Four adults will be comfortable in the spacious interior of the Chrysler Sebring convertible, with plentiful trunk space for up to four golf bags with the top up," she says.

For the Utility-Minded

Sometimes you just need to take a sport or crossover utility vehicle on a road trip. While not the best choice when it comes to gas mileage, two of the more fuel-efficient alternatives include the new 2009 Dodge Journey and the 2008 Cadillac Escalade.

"With seating for up to seven, the Dodge Journey is a great car for a larger group of travelers or for meeting up with people at your destination and seeing the sights in one vehicle," says Baukus Mello. "It offers great storage with several hidden storage bins, including ones that can double as coolers." Gas costs will be about $155 in the midsize crossover Dodge Journey, which gets 21 combined mpg.

For travelers that need a large sport utility vehicle, the Cadillac Escalade allows all of its occupants to travel in style. "There's easy access to the third row with the power fold-and-tumble second row, while the power-assisted rear liftgate makes access to the cargo space a snap when your hands are full," says Baukus Mello. A six-speed automatic transmission helps the 403 horsepower V8 engine achieve a combined 14 mpg, resulting in gas costs of $233 for our road trip example.

For the Luxury-Minded

For travelers who are ready to splurge and don't mind some extra gas costs, a number of fun cars are great on a road trip, including the favorite 2008 Chevrolet Corvette and the luxurious 2008 Audi Q7.

The iconic Chevrolet Corvette is a great road trip choice for couples. "The 2008 Corvette has been refined to provide an improved balance of even more precise handling, yet still offers a comfortable ride, while the new, more powerful engine gets a combined 18 mpg, resulting in about $181 road trip gas costs," says Baukus Mello.

Seating up to seven occupants, the Audi Q7 is a terrific road trip choice for those who want to sightsee in the lap of luxury. "With real wood inlays, aluminum-look accents and standard features such as a BOSE Surround Sound audio system, dual independent climate controls and the unique open-sky system panorama roof, the Audi Q7 would be quite a treat on any road trip," says Baukus Mello. Achieving 16 combined mpg, a road trip in the Q7 will have gas costs of about $204.

* Costs were calculated using the EPA-estimated combined fuel economy for the smallest engine and automatic transmission of each vehicle and the national average for regular unleaded fuel ($4.08) for the week of June 23, 2008.

About NADAguides.com

NADAguides.com is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, personal watercraft, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and manufactured housing. At NADAguides.com (http://www.NADAguides.com), consumers have access to a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information.

SOURCE NADAguides.com