For the past 31 years, we have been making the bi-annual 1200-mile round road trip back home to see our parents and siblings. For most of those years, we had our five children in tow. More recently, we two have made the pilgrimage alone, with the back seats empty.
“In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.” Charles Schulz of “Peanuts” fame said that, and I agree.
I would humbly add that the journey is greatly enhanced by the vehicle you use to get there.
In the 60-plus runs we made, the children most remember the vans we rode in versus the events of the trip itself.
Our first family car was a minivan, and as our crew grew, we graduated up to a full size van-first, an eight passenger, then a twelve seater. We have since empty-nested with another minivan for me and an SUV for my husband.
Is it better to take a minivan or an SUV on a long road trip?
We have taken long overland trips in compact cars, minivans, full size vans, and SUVs. I have found the minivan to be my vehicle of choice for a variety of reasons, comfort being number one.
The minivan has been popular since its introduction in 1984 for good reason. It is designed for the comfort and safety of its passengers and consistently delivers just that.
It can hold seven, sometimes eight people, each with their own safety belt, cup holder, power outlet, and multi-positional seat.
Second row seats can also be moved forward or back, independently, to customize foot room.The many windows offer great visibility for the driver and are perfect for sightseeing.
Some models have built-in shades on all rear side windows that can be raised or lowered manually. Temperature is zoned, and the back seat passengers can control their own heating and cooling independently of the driver.
There are handles above all the doors and on the sides of the sliding doors for safe entering and exiting of people of all ages.
What more could you want?!
Well, modern SUVs are marketed to be the best of both worlds. It is a comfortable vehicle that rides a bit higher on the road.
The height of an SUV may be easier for some passengers, and if you are traveling off road or on a lot of back roads the SUV may be more comfortable.
On our may trips to Maine we have done our time on back roads and the weather worn gravel driveways make for exciting driving in our minivan. Know your trip and be cautious, if you are not sure if your car will make it, don’t try.
Does a minivan have more storage space than an SUV?
The storage capacity of a minivan is quite impressive.
With every seat in its upright position, the rear cargo area can hold at least six full duffel-size bags.
If the third row is not fully occupied or empty, those seats fold down and away, creating even more room for luggage.
There are also large pockets behind the two front seats and open and closed shelves and cubbies throughout back seats to stash passenger electronics and other travel essentials.
Almost all minivans come with roof racks, which we made good use of the years we were traveling with five children under the age of ten. We stacked bikes and other little kid accessories on the roof rack.
If you can find a stow and go option, you have even more storage options! Even with seats occupied you have large hidden storage spaces under the floor. Be warned that these models ride even lower than standard minivans.
SUVs also have a fair amount of cargo space, but the minivan has the edge here.
Does a minivan get better gas mileage than an SUV?
Fuel Economy over time:
| Minivans | Average MPG | SUV | Average MPG |
| 2015 | 17-25 | 2015 | 16-26 |
| 2021 | 20-23 | 2021 | 20-31 |
For a long time SUVs had a bad reputation for being gas guzzlers, but the newer small SUVs have overtaken the minivan for gas mileage. The difference will not be awfully significant in most cases.
Gas mileage among minivans is generally 19/20mpg city, and 25/26mpg highway. For us, that meant we had to stop once halfway through the trip to refuel. Barely an inconvenience.
Pros of a Mini Van for a Road Trip
I truly appreciated the layout of the minivan when I was a passenger taking care of the children’s needs along the highway.
It was easy for me to reach and distribute all the necessities I had packed for them. I also had room to sit in the seat next to them if the need arose.
At rest stops, there was room for a quick private diaper or wardrobe change before we ran out to stretch our legs. And getting everyone out was so easy.
The children could stand up inside the vehicle and step out on their own–the van is low to the ground, and no twisting and lifting on my part.
When it was my turn to drive, the multi-positional seat greatly minimized back and leg pain and fatigue.
I could sit more upright, similar to a dining chair, with my knees almost parallel to the floor. The many windows gave me greater visibility, and the general height of the vehicle broadened the entire forward field of vision.
This is why I still choose to drive a minivan.
The most recent trip I made in our SUV was bringing my father-in-law’s dog home to live with us after he passed away.
The interior is markedly smaller, and the dog moved easily from the front seat to back while I was driving. There was plenty of floor space in the back seat to put down her food and water and other trip essentials.
When we stopped for rest breaks, she had a little bit of trouble getting in and out of the vehicle because of its height, and I had to lift her. This height could be a challenge for other passengers as well.
I found there to be a significant blind spot in this SUV, which made the drive less enjoyable. The driver’s seat tends to be similar to a bucket-style seat, which raises my knees to a height that aggravates my lower back and causes leg pain on a long trip.
Pros of an SUV on a Road Trip
I think I have made it clear that I prefer a minivan for long road trips, but there are times when and SUV is the best choice.
If you will be driving on uneven, dirt or gravel roads or doing any offroading and SUV is more reliable.
If you are in a situation where you are renting and you have the option for electric, there are lots of great SUV options that will save you lots on gas. I read that they can get 55.5mpg. That would be helpful for a small family or a couple driving on a long trip.
