Are Jeep Wranglers Good for Road Trips?

S.D. Grady
Jun 23, 2021

The Jeep Wrangler has been mastering rocky trails and sandy dunes for decades. But is it comfortable to drive over thousands of miles?

2018 Jeep Wrangler - Photo by Jeep

Like many drivers across America, you love the classic rugged looks of the Jeep Wrangler and respect it for its off-road capability. But is it really the right SUV for an epic road trip? You can get quick feedback from other Jeep Wrangler owners in the Q&A feature at Vehicle History, but if you need a more in-depth review, we’ve dug out all the answers you need in a comprehensive report.

When mapping out a trek across the Colorado Rockies or the Badlands, the Jeep Wrangler should be on your shortlist. If the family is going to visit as many amusement parks as possible while cruising the lower 48 states, you might want to look for a roomier SUV engineered to master highway driving.

Should your needs lie between the two ends of the spectrum, let’s learn a little more about the Jeep Wrangler, so you can make a more informed decision.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

Jeep Wrangler: Engine Options & Fuel Economy

Your Jeep Wrangler JL or JK is likely equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine which produces a reasonable 285 horsepower–more than enough to accelerate through traffic while exploring the Interstates.

The entry-level Sport trim comes with an automatic transmission, but the six-speed manual is found on many machines built for outdoor adventure.

The new 2.0L turbocharged ESS four-cylinder engine available on the 2020 and 2021 Wrangler drops you to 270 horsepower but increases torque which makes towing easier. Either one will do the job for cross-country cruising, but the V6 is the one you will want for crawling through ditches and over rocks.

Expect to find an 18.6 or 22.5-gallon gas tank on board, and you can roll up to 400 miles before stopping at the station.

Fuel economy-wise, the 2018 V6 will earn an EPA-estimated 20 mpg highway on the two-door Wrangler with the automatic transmission. The four-door manages just an 18 mpg highway with the same engine and a five-speed transmission.

2018 Jeep Wrangler-Jeep

Jeep Wrangler: Geared for Off-road Fun

If you are planning on exploring back roads, mountain passes, and endless dunes, the Jeep Wrangler is built for you. Even the base Sport trim has a suspension designed to tackle graveled trails without blinking.

For those looking to leave all signs of civilization behind, the Rubicon features the upgrades required for breathtaking climbs. It can even ford streams up to 30 inches deep. The electronic disconnect sway bar gives you the added flexibility to clamber through a rock-strewn landscape.

However, the tall stance and short wheelbase of the two-door Wrangler create one major drawback for highway driving. You will feel all the bumps and grooves in the road. That suspension that handles rocky roads also translates into a stiffer ride.

Soft Top, Freedom Top, or Power Sky One-touch

What about fresh air? Every Wrangler features a removable top, doors, and windshield. While none of these are push-button easy, it does feed that fresh air fiend inside you.

The soft Sunrider top is the standard roof. It uses a combination of flexible windows, clips, and a tough woven fabric to create a top that can be folded back or completely removed. It takes about 30 minutes to take it off, so only plan on that open-top experience in good weather.

The Freedom Top is a three-panel hardtop system that is faster to take down and gives the Wrangler a more urban appearance. Just pop a few clips inside and stow the panels in the storage bag.

Finally, Jeep answered the demand for a true convertible driving experience with the power Sky One-Touch roof. It cannot be completely removed but opens and closes with the touch of a button. It is a soft top and was introduced in the 2018 model year.

If you can’t decide which roof is right for your lifestyle, check out how easy it is to handle each type of roof in the above video by The Fast Lane Car.

2018 Jeep Wrangler-Jeep

Jeep Wrangler Cargo Space: Two- vs. Four-Door

Are you planning for a coast-to-coast trip? Then you might want to bring more than a duffle bag worth of clothes and camping supplies. The four-door Wrangler is much better equipped to handle a pile of luggage. You might want to leave some extra stuff behind if you are piloting a two-door version.

The two-door Wrangler has just 12.8 cu. ft. of space behind its back seats. But when folded down, it does open up to an ample 56.5. That is more than enough for a tent, cooler, clothes, and sleeping bags for two.

The four-door barely doubles the cargo space to just 31.5 cu. ft., which if you have got the kids with you, that is not going to cut it. Tuck away the split rear seats, and you now have 70.6 cu. ft.

What about a roof rack? The Wrangler is not designed to accept any kind of OEM roof luggage rack. There are external bolt-on racks available that will make your ride look like it is ready to cross the Sahara desert. It may inhibit your use of the removable roof.

Also, if you have a soft-top Wrangler, then the security of your gear will always be a concern on the road. While the fabric is tough, the windows can be sliced open with the right knife. You will also want to add a cargo cover to help conceal your stuff from the curious criminal. If you are trail riding with a group, it is impossible to properly secure your gear without putting the top back up.

2020 Jeep Wrangler-Jeep

Jeep Wrangler: Towing Capacity Explained

So, you can’t really pack in enough gear for your family of four, but can you tow it? Maybe.

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler two-door can tow a trailer up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped. You can find an ultra-lightweight pop-up or travel trailer camper under the weight limit, but it won’t be roomy.

If you are driving a four-door, then you can tow up to 3,500 pounds which greatly expands the options for a family-friendly camper.

2019 Jeep Wrangler-Jeep

Jeep Wrangler: Room for the Whole Family?

Is this your graduation year road trip with your college roommates? While the two-door Wrangler specs insist that it has seating for four, that back seat is not designed for long drives if you are over four-foot six. The outer roll bars reduce the shoulder width and the legroom leaves no space for stretching out. Add the bouncy ride to your considerations, and you will be subjecting your best friend to a less than memorable experience.

The four-door back row is designed to seat up to three across and gives you two more inches in legroom compared to the two-door.

However, the back row is four cu. ft. smaller than the front row. It’s just not spacious. If you are rolling with the kids, they will be fine. For the college road trip, stick to a total of four passengers including the driver to save everybody’s sanity.

Do you need to see the dimensions for yourself? In the video above, The Fast Lane Car gave their review of a new two-door Wrangler and shows you how easy it is to get in and out and where to put all your gear in this quick video.

Jeep Wrangler: Reliability & Repair Costs

One of your big questions will be just how reliable is your Jeep Wrangler for an extended trip?

Repair Pal gives the Jeep Wrangler an above-average reliability rating. Owners can expect to spend about $694 a year on repairs and 16% of the time, the repair will be severe. You can minimize the chance of getting stranded in remote locations by having your mechanic do a complete inspection before you leave. Make sure that your belts, tires, oil, and filters are all in good condition. Have the alignment checked and your wheels balanced.

Leave room in your luggage for an emergency kit stocked with your lug wrench, basic tool kit, jack, a gallon of water, a jug of oil, flares, and air compressor.

If you do end up needing a repair, the Jeep Wrangler is one of the most popular Jeep models on the road. You will have no problem sourcing the needed part in any region of the country, whether you prefer OEM or aftermarket.

Other Jeep Models to Consider for an Epic Adventure

If you are more into a laid-back ride over well-paved roads, you may want to consider a different Jeep for a more comfortable road trip.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk - Photo by Jeep

Jeep Grand Cherokee: Room for the Whole Family

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the mid-size SUV loaded with all the extras needed to see to your family’s total comfort. The cockpit can feature luxury upgrades such as a power driver’s seat with memory, heat, and ventilation. The kids have more elbow room in the second row and the ample cargo space is easily expanded using the roof rails. Towing? Bring your camper weighing up to 7,200 pounds.

2018 Jeep Compass - Photo by Stellantis

Jeep Compass: Something Sporty for a Ride to the Beach

The compact Jeep Compass is comparable in size to the Wrangler with a little more space in the back for people and packages. Designed as a fun grocery-getter, you can find them with front or four-wheel drive. Its powertrain and suspension deliver a comfortable ride for epic road trips or cruising along the coast.

2018 Jeep Renegade - Photo by Stellantis

Jeep Renegade: Suitable for the City Explorer

For those that want to keep an eye on the fuel budget while exploring more of America, think about the Jeep Renegade. The 2018 loaded with the 1.4L turbo engine and automatic transmission earns an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway.

When equipped with the tow package, it can even tow up to 2,000 pounds. Available with four-wheel drive, it is more than capable of parking at your favorite campground without getting stuck on their dirt roads.

Is there a question about the Jeep Wrangler that we missed? Check back at Vehicle History and search thousands of common questions to learn how other drivers are using their favorite off-road SUV

Photos: Stellantis

Frequently Asked Questions

Apr 7, 2022

Are Jeep Wranglers safe on the highway?

The Jeep Wrangler is safe to drive on the highway and at highway speeds, but it may not be the ideal car if you are looking to go on a long road trip. The boxy nature of the Wrangler leads to it not being very aerodynamic which increases wind and road noise, as well as leads to a reduction in fuel efficiency. This means that with a Wrangler you will be filling up more often, and it will be noisy in the cabin.

Another reason the Wrangler may not be the best choice for the highway is the suspension on it. The Wrangler can handle highway speeds, but the lifted and relatively soft suspension does lead to the vehicle feeling more floaty when it is driving at high speed. This can lead to a loss of steering feel which can be dangerous if you are not prepared for it.

Overall the Wrangler would be fine to use on a day trip out to try out some new off-road adventures, but you may want to look at something else if you regularly plan on taking cross-country road trips.

Which Jeep Wrangler is best for highway driving?

The best Jeep Wrangler for highway driving is the JL generation which was released in 2018 and is still in production today as of 2021. This is the most advanced version of the Wrangler and it has the best suspension for both on and off-road driving. Many of the older versions of the compact SUV had suspension setups that were much more off-road-oriented, and those were harder to keep under control on the highway.

The redesign of the Wrangler for 2018 also makes it the most aerodynamic version yet. This is still a very boxy vehicle and it is not going to cut through the air like a supercar, but the newest version does have softer edges that make it a better option to drive at highway speeds.

Jeep knows that people love to use the Wrangler as a daily driver and have thought about that as they have updated the model over the years. The latest generation is the one that is the easiest to live with so far.

How can I make my Jeep Wrangler more comfortable?

If you notice that your Jeep Wrangler is not very comfortable driving on the streets there are a few things that you can do to improve the ride quality and passenger comfort. The biggest comfort improvement will come from replacing the suspension on it with a set of shocks and springs that are lower than what Jeep puts on them at the factory. This will reduce the capabilities off-road but will make driving on-road more enjoyable.

Simple things like changing the off-road tires out for more street-oriented tires can also help improve passenger comfort. The extra-deep treads that are used off-road tend to pick up rocks while driving on the streets, make more noise and bounce around more. Tires with thinner tread on them will not be as good in the dirt, but they will definitely be quieter on the road.

Another easy thing to do to make your Wrangler more comfortable to drive is to simply get it aligned. If you have gone off-road or over obstacles with your Jeep it is likely out of alignment. Bringing the tires back into alignment can help the car track straight and will feel more comfortable to drive.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Barbara Z on July 25, 2021
2018 Jeep Renegade Latitude perfect family car that feels sturdy and safe.
Overall it is a great car for our family. We drive a lot and it is comfortable for long road trips. There plenty of legroom for our family. However, when napping while traveling I have yet to find a comfortable way to position my neck which it makes it tough for long road trips.
accountCircle Haley H on July 15, 2021
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara perfect for a drive on the coast or an off-roading trip in the mountains.
Although not the best road trip car due to instability, uncomfortable seats, and poor gas mileage, jeep wranglers are perfect for cruising around town or even off-roading is not the mountains. So take it for a short ride with the top off!
accountCircle Lexis H on July 22, 2021
2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport is the most customizable car on the market.
I love the versatility of the vehicle. It is great for outdoor activities and long road trips. I just recently went on a 3000+ mile road trip, and it really shined. I car camped throughout the journey. It was comfortable and roomy.
accountCircle Lesley T on July 4, 2021
Extremely comfortable and adjustable 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
The whole indoor car environment is so comfortable. There is a whole lot of space. I took my dog with me on a 56 hour road trip and he was sleeping almost the entire road trip. I was not uncomfortable while driving my car.
accountCircle Andrea V on June 25, 2021
The comfortable and spacious 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude.
It is super comfortable I take frequent road trips with friends and family and everyone always feels safe, it is very spacious. I also just mention there is a lot of trunk space to pack things into the car it is amazing.
accountCircle Monica C on July 14, 2021
The amazing and affordable 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude.
It is very economical on gas. My jeep compass goes on many long road trip vacations with us. The interior is very plush and comfortable with heated leather seats and heated steering wheel for those cold days.
accountCircle Kennedy A on June 29, 2021
Things to consider, 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S or eek.
The car is definitely not one you'd want to go on a road trip in even though it's an off roading vehicle (easy to drive). It can very well eat up gas and cost a lot of money.
accountCircle Judy C on July 23, 2021
2018 Jeep Renegade Latitude smooth ride. And low cost for fuel.
My children love it because they have a lot of space to move around and store their belongings. When we go on road trips they have so much fun because of the space they have.
accountCircle Patti P on July 8, 2021
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo delivers.
It is comfortable and stylish. It is good for everyday travel as well as long road trips. It rides smooth. It has enough room in the back to carry all sorts of things.
accountCircle Karen H on July 27, 2021
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Family vehicle for family fun road trips and lifetime of memories.
Love loading up the family and just hitting the open road for a road trip. It is nice and roomy and perfect for even three car seats installed in the back seat.
accountCircle Brittany B on July 20, 2021
I love my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk!
Comfortable for road trips. Really like the heated and cooling seats. Only negatives are gas mileage isn't great and there are some bad blind spots on the car.
accountCircle Hailey N on June 26, 2021
2020 Sahara unlimited wrangler.
Even though this car was made for rough terrain it is nice for road trips and my daily commute as well. Awesome gas mileage even when driving around town.
accountCircle Robin B on July 1, 2021
Jeep wrangler unlimited sport 2018.
The vehicle is great, plenty of space and storage and the seats are very comfortable which makes for my long road trips even more enjoyable.
accountCircle Dani C on July 3, 2021
I love the look of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara and the feel.
The seats are not the softest and do get uncomfortable on long road trips. As well as it does get very expensive to fill the car with fuel.
accountCircle Rachael M on July 9, 2021
My 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best car I have ever owned!
It is roomy and comfortable. Great for long road trips or short rides to the grocery store. It has all the amenities I could ever want.
accountCircle Joie T on June 29, 2021
The perfect 'road warrior' vehicle. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.
We love the back seat space/storage and that the seats actually recline as well. For long road trips it makes napping easy!
accountCircle Zach B on July 7, 2021
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S ability to be stripped and changed is unmatched.
The highway driving is smooth and car is great for long road trips, but also is rugged enough to take on trails.
accountCircle Sarah B on July 2, 2021
2019 Jeep Wrangler Sahara is the best car you could own!
I commute 4 hour road trips every so often and I have no complaints about my cars performance.
accountCircle Regina P on July 27, 2021
The most fun, go anywhere, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
The seats are comfortable, short or long road trips, there’s no comfort being sacrificed.
accountCircle Mckenna E on July 19, 2021
I love the detail on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport S and all the doors and roof can come off.
My car has Bad gas mileage but it is a fun car to drive and I love taking it on road trips.
accountCircle Jess B on July 4, 2021
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one of a kind!
The downside is, long road trips can get uncomfortable and I get stiff after a few hours.
accountCircle Katherine B on June 27, 2021
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara and the alpine speaker system.
The leather seats are fabulous and are not too hard which makes it great for road trips.
accountCircle Elzie F on June 26, 2021
My 2018 jeep wrangler Sahara jl 4 door v8 is dark gray with a black hardtop.
It has been on road trips, getting great gas mileage I might add, and commutes to work.
accountCircle Victoria B on July 6, 2021
2018 jeep wrangler golden eagle.
Has been great for several long distance road trips over 1000 miles.
accountCircle Maria A on July 26, 2021
Loving my 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport! Highly recommended vehicle! Perfect for everyone.
It is very roomie and amazing for road trips! Loving it!
avatar S.D. Grady
Sonya is a vastly experienced journalist who loves to share her passion for everything automotive. You can usually find her at the track covering NASCAR, taking a test drive, or drooling over the latest models at the local auto show.
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