The States Where It’s Easiest and Hardest to Find Cheap Eats on a Road Trip

When planning a road trip, you consider your destination, travel time, stops, and the weather, but you should also check if there are any affordable restaurants or eateries nearby along your route. We’ve done the work for you, so all you have to do is check this list, which shows the states with the best cheap eats and worst restaurant prices!

Best – Texas

The culinary competition in Texas means you’ll find a wide variety of food options along the highways, and some of them are cheap eats. From barbecue joints and taco stands to more upscale restaurants and fast-food chains, you’ll find it all. You won’t spend more than $15 USD on average per person, which is significantly less than you’d pay in a coastal state. Some examples of this cheap eats include the popular food trucks found at gas stations, such as “Whataburger”, “Buc-ee’s”, and “Woody’s Smokehouse”.

Best – Tennessee

The small towns along the Tennessee highway offer great restaurants at much lower prices than in many tourist-heavy states. Some of the cheap eats examples are “Caney Fork River Valley Grille”, “Assembly Food Hall”, and “Puckett’s Restaurant”. Travelers often note that the portions like the jumbo fried catfish at these establishments are quite generous.

Best – New Mexico

The burrito culture has taken such a deep root in New Mexico that several roadside restaurants feature this dish. These burritos, often served with green chile, can feel like a gourmet meal, and because some of the towns in the state are so small, the prices aren’t high. The Southwest continues to be the most affordable in the United States, thanks to places like “66 Diner”, “Laguna Burger”, and “Frontier Restaurant” that offer cheap eats.

Best – Missouri

From barbecues to Middle Eastern cuisine, Missouri has a wide variety of options for travelers, along with considerably lower prices compared to the coast. “Pappy’s Smokehouse”, “Adriana’s On The Hill”, and “Route 66 Diner” are just a few examples to be able to cheap eats. The Route 66 culture also contributes to these roadside eateries maintaining their classic facades and preserving that nostalgic feel once you step inside.

Best – Louisiana

The restaurants in Louisiana are nationally renowned for their delicious food. But the best part is, you won’t spend your entire month’s salary on a single meal there. Dishes like the “Po Boy,” an iconic sandwich of fried seafood or meat served on a french roll, or “Gumbo,” a thick stew made with broth, vegetables, and protein, are just a couple of the many delectable options you can enjoy in Louisiana. If you were to try a dish like these in other cities, it would be significantly more expensive.

Best – Oklahoma

“Sud’s Diner”, “Big Truck Tacos”, and “Good Gravy Diner” are roadside restaurants that travelers passing through Oklahoma shouldn’t miss for a cheap eats. And while you’re there, take advantage of the opportunity to fill up with diesel, which is among the cheapest in the nation. At almost all of these restaurants, you’ll have a choice of hamburger and chicken steak. The key to keeping prices low in Oklahoma lies in the low operating costs, which helps restaurants maintain affordable prices.

Best – Wisconsin

If a traveler can find some cheap eats, affordable lodging, and a landscape like Wisconsin’s, with its many lakes dotted with cabins, then it’s probably the perfect place for a road trip. “Culver’s” and “Onalaska” are two of the state’s budget-friendly restaurants. Their menus feature hamburgers, cheese sticks, fried fish, and other breakfast items at prices far below those of major cities.

Best – Alabama

The roadside restaurants in Alabama, like “Peach Park” and “Bates House of Turkey”, offer Southern food at very competitive prices. From barbecue and fried chicken to cookies and breakfast items, this cheap eats’s customers will be satisfied both gastronomically and economically. It’s these small towns along the highway that help preserve the affordable economy of yesteryear.

Worst – California

Due to the sharp rise in gas prices, California has become one of the worst states for road trips. Travel is incredibly expensive because of the tourism in the area and the restaurants looking to maximize their profits. You can easily spend over $20 to $30 USD per person on a casual lunch because prices are marked up for tourists who come to enjoy California’s beaches and wine.

Worst – Hawaii

It’s easy to see that if you have to import food, prices will increase due to the cost, which is what happens in Hawaii. Grocery stores also raise their prices, and a meal on a typical day could cost more than two lunches in a less touristy and well-known area. Even if you stay away from luxury hotels, you’ll find prices that are out of touch with reality.

Worst – New York

When you think of New York, you think of glamour, skyscrapers, the metropolis, and famous landmarks, but also keep in mind that you’ll pay exorbitant prices for food. The cost of a gourmet meal a few years ago is now the price of a basic meal. Food prices have skyrocketed, as have parking fees and other everyday expenses.

Worst – Massachusetts

Many states are directly linked to the cities within their borders, thus maintaining a relationship with their economies and price ranges. In Massachusetts, the Boston area and the tourism it attracts have led to seafood restaurants becoming particularly expensive in 2026. It has already become a trend for travelers to seek out cheaper places to eat and accommodations.

Worst – Washington

“Italpast”, “Le Four”, and “Su Casa Pilar” are some of the most expensive restaurants you’ll find in Washington, D.C., located near the Pan-American Highway, Route 9, and Del Viso, respectively. Expect to pay over $25 USD per person, and you’ll also have to factor in the cost of gas, which is among the highest in the nation. If you compare Seattle’s prices to those in other Midwestern cities, you won’t believe it’s the same food.

Worst – Colorado

The beautiful mountains of Colorado can make everything around them more expensive. Because of the year-round tourism, residents often complain about the cost of parking, restaurants, and attractions in general. Ordering a hamburger in a town where skiing is the main activity will cost you significantly more than elsewhere.

Worst – Florida

Tourism has a very positive impact in many ways, but it’s negative for those who live in those areas. The case of Florida reflects this, with tourism driving up restaurant prices since the beginning of 2020. Eating at a beach restaurant involves paying for parking, paying surcharges for the location, and also because you’re a tourist—or rather, you pay like one. If you want to eat at the cheapest places in that area, even though they’re expensive nationally, stay away from the coast.

Worst – Nevada

The cost of lodging in cities like Las Vegas, Nevada, directly impacts what you can afford for food. Tourists are a key factor in this cost chain, and even casinos can charge exorbitant prices for a basic meal. That’s why many travelers who explore the countryside avoid these tourist traps to avoid paying the inflated prices. ¿Would you try these cheap eats?

More from Cheapism

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• The Best Roadside Breakfast Spots in Every State — A collection of highway breakfast destinations known for generous portions, local flavors, and memorable dining experiences worth the detour.
• The Best Signature Breakfast Foods in Every State — An exploration of the unique breakfast specialties enjoyed across all 50 states and Washington D.C., along with recommended places to try them.