2019 Chevy Traverse on a road trip to Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina (c) Anna Lanfreschi

Anyone else love a good road trip? My husband and I are always up for a weekend getaway by car. They’re easy and quick and always provide just enough adventure.

Unfortunately, both of our cars are just a little too small for a proper road trip: We’ve never really been able to pack all the things we would want/need on the road. So when we decided to explore the towns of Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina this summer, General Motors was kind enough to set us up with a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse High Country for the weekend.

This crossover SUV made for such a pleasant, stress-free drive! It kept us entertained with updated tech features, it was incredibly comfortable, and it hauled all our stuff! Here are six reasons the Chevy Traverse is a great road trip vehicle:

Built-in Wi-Fi

Having constant connectivity throughout the road trip can make a huge difference, especially when traveling to a new destination for the first time. Losing internet access – and, therefore, navigation – while driving through a remote part of the route genuinely scares me, so driving a vehicle with a built-in 4G LTE hot spot means you don’t have to worry about getting lost. It also means your music/podcast, which is a must on road trips, doesn’t randomly cut out.

Wireless phone charging

Of course, if you’re using your phone for directions, music, and last-minute restaurant reservation making, it’s important it doesn’t run out of battery before you get to where you’re going. The wireless charging station is one of my favorite features of the 2019 Chevy Traverse: It works with both iPhone and Android phones, and it is seamless.

Just place your phone on the designated pad in the center console and watch the battery charge go up. Your phone screen is still in view, and there are no unsightly cords to worry about.

Another perk is that the Traverse is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is standard on all models. Add in actually well-functioning voice controls, and you’ve got a fully hands-free drive.

Digital speed display

It’s the little things that count, right? The digital speed display in the Traverse is a great example: Just a quick glance down lets you know your exact speed. Another quick glance to Apple CarPlay / Android Auto display to the right lets you know what the speed limit is (when you’re running an app like Google Maps or Waze). In a matter of seconds, you can be sure you’re not going too fast or too slow (or if you are, adjust your speed accordingly).

Spacious interior

2019 Chevy Traverse boasts lots of legroom for all passengers (c) Anna Lanfreschi

Having enough space for all your luggage and passengers is key for any road trip. Humans and furry friends shouldn’t sacrifice legroom in order to accommodate any comforts of home you might need on the trip (i.e., your favorite pillow).

Plenty of trunk space for all your road trip luggage inside the 2019 Chevy Traverse (c) Anna Lanfreschi

The Traverse excels in this arena: It easily fits up to eight passengers, with third-row seating that fits adults comfortably or can lay flat for extra cargo capacity. The trunk fits six carry-on suitcases and has a foot-activated lift gate, which comes in handy when your hands are full carrying the aforementioned suitcases and pillows.

Exterior cameras

Surround Vision gives the driver a 360-degree view of the exterior of the Chevy Traverse (c) Anna Lanfreschi

The Chevy Traverse doesn’t just have a backup camera – it comes with Surround Vision, which includes side, front, and bird’s eye views of the car. This is incredibly helpful when getting the Traverse into or out of a parking spot, especially if you’re not used to its large size. My husband and I relied on this feature throughout our road trip, and it made parking a breeze.

Fuel efficiency

The Chevy Traverse is perfect for road trips! Pictured here in the mountains of Cashiers/Highlands, North Carolina (c) Anna Lanfreschi

The 2019 Chevy Traverse gets around 27 miles per gallon on the highway, which is impressive for its size. That means we used less than two tanks of gas for our five-hour round-trip drive. Not too shabby!

Keep in mind

If you’re not used to driving/parking larger vehicles, you may want to get a little practice before taking the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse out for a spin. Its size isn’t a true downside – it is simply something to be aware of, especially if your current vehicle is more compact.

Bottom line: The Chevy Traverse is ideal for road trips

Its size very much works to its advantage for road trips. The Chevy Traverse holds plenty of people and luggage comfortably, and it’s a luxurious ride. The 2019 High Country version we drove had premium leather seating, well-placed cup holders and USB ports, and lots of legroom throughout the car. Its high-tech features kept us connected and safe, and therefore, stress-free. I would highly recommend the Chevy Traverse for your next getaway by car!

P.S.: A big thank you to Chevrolet for setting us up with this beauty! #hosted

And if you want to learn more about Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina, or plan your own road trip there, check out this weekend guide for everything you need to know before you go.