Having the perfect ride is essential during a Road trip. Whether your ideal Vehicle is a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle, you can easily find them all with online sca auto auctions. And if you’re wondering, “what’s the best vehicle to take to the Grand Canyon?” We’ve got you covered!
Join us as we explore the best types of cars to take on your road trip and how you can use auto insurance auctions to find these vehicles for way cheaper than you would pay at a traditional dealership.
How Long Is a Grand Canyon Road Trip?
Understanding how many miles you can expect to travel and what type of terrain you’ll be traveling through will help you choose the perfect vehicle for your trip.
Exactly how far you’ll travel will depend on where in the country you start your voyage but don’t expect your journey to end once you get to the Grand Canyon. This natural wonder stretches over 277 miles, and a trip around the entire canyon will add around 1,000 miles to your vehicle’s odometer.
The roads around the canyon vary from well-maintained highways to less-maintained rural side roads. So, the perfect vehicle will be one that can handle a variety of terrains while also keeping your family safe and comfortable.
6 Essential Features and Functions of a Road Trip Vehicle
Nobody wants to take time off from work and spend money on a road trip that they don’t enjoy. So choosing a vehicle that has all the features needed to keep you and your family safe and comfortable is important.
A vehicle with all the right features and functions can make your road trip much more enjoyable. But when you search for “cars for sale near me,” you often won’t know which luxuries the vehicles have. Luckily, many online auction sites have search filters that allow you to search for cars with specific features. But what should you look for in a vehicle you plan to take to the Grand Canyon?
- Storage space: Whether it’s just you and your spouse or you and your five kids, you’ll want to make sure you have room to store your belongings. And remember, you always bring back more than you initially packed. Vehicle storage is important, so make sure you look for cars with ample trunk space and roof racks.
- Interior space: As the name suggests, a road trip requires several hours of driving, and having room to stretch out is necessary. Look for vehicles with roomy interiors and plenty of legroom. Comfortable seats are also a must!
- Cruise control: Not everyone enjoys using this feature, but many roads around the Grand Canyon are long stretches of highway. Cruise control could come in handy.
- Air conditioning and heat: Remember, the Grand Canyon is in the desert. It can get quite hot during the day, especially in the summer. But when the sun goes down, so does the temperature.
- Entertainment: Not all roads offer spectacular views, and for the more tedious parts of the ride, you’ll want to have a way to entertain your passengers. Look for vehicles with a decent radio, charging ports, or built-in DVD players.
These are just a handful of the features you should look for in a road trip vehicle, especially one you’re planning to take into the desert. Car auction websites such as IAAI, Direct Auto, Barret Jackson, Capital, and other vehicle auction sites can help you find cars that include these features while spending less than you would at a dealership.
Best Cars for a Grand Canyon Road Trip
People are constantly finding great deals on auction sites, but before you start searching for “online auctions near me”, you should know what type of vehicle you’re looking for.
So, what are the best cars to take on a Grand Canyon road trip?
1. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has remained popular since its launch in the early 90s. People loved the idea of a car that could be used as a daily driver while also accommodating their weekend adventures. Even the Crocodile Dundee gave the vehicle a big thumbs up.
Although the Outback has changed over the years, it’s remained a front runner in terms of functionality and comfort. With great gas mileage, ample leg room, tons of storage space, and some pretty nifty features, the Subaru Outback checks all the road-trip boxes.
2. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. With its responsive handling, seriously spacious interior, and fantastic gas mileage, you get the feel of a luxury vehicle without the luxury price tag.
As the years passed, so did the vehicle’s size and storage room. Consumers suggest the best years for the Accord were between 2006 and 2015, with newer vehicles having better entertainment features.
3. Chevy Malibu
If you’re looking for a daily driver that’ll also be reliable on long road trips, look no further than the Chevrolet Malibu. This sleek, stylish car offers excellent gas mileage and low maintenance costs, which is crucial if you plan to tack on thousands of miles with a road trip.
The practical midsize sedan gives your family the room they need to stretch out during long rides while also being safe and affordable. Plus, many newer models sport entertainment features such as smartphone integration and a 4G Wifi hotspot.
Where to Buy a Car for Less
Auto auctions can be an excellent place to find cheap vehicles, but you can’t just run out and look for “live auction near me”. Local auctions can be difficult to access because they usually only allow dealers to join. Luckily, many online insurance auctions are registered brokers, which means you can bid on the vehicles even if you don’t have a dealer’s license.
If you want to find a cheap car but aren’t sure where to look, check out the auto auction sites below.
Manheim
With over 150,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and boats in their inventory, Manheim is one of the largest wholesale car markets in the world. This auto auction site holds physical, digital, and mobile auctions in over 106 locations worldwide. Although they primarily cater to dealerships and rental car agencies, Manheim occasionally offers public auctions. Anyone over 18 with a valid driver’s license can register to bid on vehicles during public events.
SCA Auctions
Dubbed the #1 online insurance auto auction site in North America, SCA Auctions features over 300,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, and boats in over 160 live public auctions each week. Because the company is a registered broker, you don’t need a dealer’s license to buy cheap cars. Once registered, you can pre-bid or bid on vehicles anywhere at any time. Plus, you can have the car shipped right to your door!
Backs Auto Auctions
Founded in 1979, Backs Auto Auction is the oldest public auto auction in Kentucky. The company is located in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and serves the central Bluegrass area. Although the auto auction does hold public auctions occasionally, they’re currently limited to dealer only auction events.
Metro Auto Auction
Founded in 2007, Metro Auto Auction is a relatively new auto auction company. But that hasn’t stopped them from growing. The company serves auto dealers in both the Phoenix and Dallas areas and serves the major markets in both the southern and western regions. They also hold online GSA auctions, which are open to the public. To participate in a GSA events, you must be over 18, have a valid driver’s license, and register with the business location prior to the event.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to road trips, the journey should be just as exciting as the destination. Cars like the Subaru Outback, the Honda Accord, and the Chevy Malibu can help transform your trip to the Grand Canyon into an unforgettable journey. And auto auction sites such as can help you find these vehicles for less than you would pay at a dealership. With just a click of a button, you could be on your way towards the trip of a lifetime!
