The vehicle I was driving? That would be a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder -- a top contender in the three-row crossover/SUV category. I had driven this vehicle before, in suburban landscapes, but never on the road in various terrains while packed with gear.

Think of this review as having a dual purpose -- an assessment of the Pathfinder’s road trip capability, and a bit of a geography lesson; as this country is quite a beautiful place and I got to see quite a bit of it during my time on the road.

OHIO

After a brief sojourn through lower Michigan, I soon entered Ohio, a state where I would find a couple contrasting types of roads.

Initially I was on the Ohio Turnpike, a stretch of road that is well-lit, offers immaculate rest stops, and is quite impressive and fun to drive on. You have to pay a few bucks for the privilege, but it’s worth it -- and it puts Michigan roads to shame (though that’s not hard). Once off the turnpike, heading down I-77 South, you get the true Ohio experience -- a whole lot of rural, middle-of-nowhere type destinations and lots of fields and farmland. Definitely no rest stops there.

During my many hours driving in Ohio (roughly five hours going and the same coming back), the Pathfinder handled smoothly and quickly went wherever I directed it. The main issue I can say I had with the Pathfinder is in the acceleration department. You get decent speed if you need to do a slow climb to speed, but if you need to get going quickly on the highway, it takes longer than I would like. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 260 horsepower, and some of its competition does better in that department.

Another Ohio note I have to mention is that the safety features on the Pathfinder were extremely helpful at times, such as the intense downpour I encountered on the turnpike going home. So intense I could barely see out my windshield or any of the windows, surrounded on all sides by semi trucks, the lights on the side mirrors alerting me of vehicles in the other lane proved to be potentially life-saving equipment and are a safety feature I highly recommend on this or any other vehicle.

WEST VIRGINIA and VIRGINIA

If you’ve never been lucky enough to make the drive through West Virginia and Virginia for any reason, I highly recommend doing it at some point in your lifetime.

It’s impossible to describe fully without seeing it yourself, but let me just summarize by saying that the curvy and hilly mountain roads of these two states are unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere. Sharp climbs, multi-mile descents, curve after curve, at times it feels like a bit of a racetrack. Driving at night is a bit dizzying on these roads though, and I would recommend doing it during the daytime if at all possible.

So how did the Pathfinder handle this beautiful yet tricky terrain? Quite well, actually. Cruise control was a big help and saved my feet some work during much of the trip. Buttons were easily accessible and you can speed and slow the vehicle without using your feet (just be prepared to get on the pedals if needed).

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina had a couple different personalities during my trip. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by majestic smoke-spewing mountains that won’t soon be forgotten (be ready for the haze and fog that comes with that). You even get to drive through a couple long tunnels that go through these mountains.

Then, once you’re out of the “high country”, as the locals say, you settle into some good old rural roads that take you through some of the cities prominent in the history of NASCAR and auto racing in general.

My highlight/slightly concerning moment in North Carolina with the Pathfinder was the only time on my entire trip when its navigation system had a bit of a glitch. Perhaps the areas were too far off the beaten path to be on its maps, but eventually the Pathfinder recognized where it was and recalculated its route. The same area tripped it up on the way home, but if 5 miles out of 850 are problematic, I’d say that’s a pretty good percentage (under 1 percent actually).

And I give extra high marks to the overall setup/display on the navigation system. On one side it shows you the next several steps in your route, and on the other side you see a helpful map. You even get notes on when the next rest stop is coming up, which is extra important on road trips -- where pit stops are essential especially if you have a little one riding along like we did.

Of all the vehicles I have tested, Nissan is a leader in terms of how navigation info is shared with the driver.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The drive in South Carolina is pretty uneventful, just slow at times due to the need to pass through several small towns.

Once I got near my destination I started to pay attention to fuel mileage, and was pleasantly surprised. Averaging over 22 mpg during my trip to that point (a number that help through my return), I was getting over 400 miles per full tank of gas. So essentially, two full loads of gas, plus a quick splash, got  me to my destination; plus the same going back. So 1700 miles were traveled for $150 or so -- not a bad number.

Comparing the Pathfinder to other three-row crossovers/SUVs, it’s at the top of the list in terms of fuel mileage, and that’s especially important for folks who like to travel.

OTHER THOUGHTS

-- For a trip, you’ll want to put the third row down and maximize your storage space. that leaves room for 2 up front and 3 in the middle row, and throw all your gear in back. If you really need to use the third row, put the little ones back there (it’s tight) and use a luggage rack on top of the vehicle.

-- Voice commands work very well in the Pathfinder, making driving long distances safer since you don’t want to be tinkering with buttons as you drive in a strange location.

-- An entertainment package is offered on the Pathfinder, but my test vehicle did not have it. Amazingly, my daughter didn’t need it and was able to stay enthralled for the most part by the scenery along the way instead and the constant appearance of "big trucks".

BOTTOM LINE

I can not stress enough what a beautiful country this is. From the seemingly endless forests and trees you’ll see on your journeys, to stunning cliffs and mountains and bodies of water you’ll see, to wondrously windy roads, it’s truly a treat to get to see what natural beauty America has to offer.

If you’re someone who hits the road on a regular basis with a large group of people and plenty of gear, the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is built for you -- plenty of space, safety and tech features galore and an overall smooth ride. I truly enjoyed my time driving the vehicle on the trip, always felt safe no matter the environment, and would put it near the top of my list of road trip-worthy vehicles.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.