Nearly nine in ten Americans planning holiday travel in 2025 say they’ll drive rather than fly, a dramatic pivot that is reshaping the peak season and forcing airlines, hotels, and city tourism boards to recalibrate. The swing toward road trips is tied to rising travel costs and mounting frustration with airport delays, crowding, and safety anxiety. While people still want to see family and get away, they’re choosing shorter, regional trips that feel flexible and affordable.
The scale of the shift: driving over flying
Industry data shows almost 90% of holiday travelers intend to drive, a pattern that has held through much of the year with 9 in 10 on the road. Noreen Henry, Chief Revenue Officer at Sojern, said travelers are “making more intentional choices about where and how they spend,” noting a clear shift to regional getaways and flexible pricing even as some airfares softened compared with last summer.
That move aligns with what travelers describe as a search for control—over timing, budget, and comfort—after years of price swings and airport strain.
Money pressures driving the change
Money pressures sit at the heart of these choices. Key figures:
- 92% of Americans plan to travel in 2025
- 58% wish they could travel more but can’t because of costs
- 22% have canceled or postponed trips after doing the math
- For many families, a standard summer getaway now runs $259.20 more per person than before
Lodging pain is widespread: 84% of hotel guests and 84% of short‑term rental users report difficulties. Overall, 90% of U.S. travelers are looking for ways to cut summer spending. People cite higher living costs, pricier trips, and economic uncertainty as steady headwinds.
Airport stress and safety concerns
Airport stress compounds the budget pinch. Travelers report:
- 46% constantly fear a delay or cancellation
- 46% say the airport experience simply takes too long
- 32% dislike crowding and worry about getting sick
- 47% feel more nervous to fly this year than last
- 29% of those scaling back trips tie their decision to aircraft safety worries
Once on board, common grievances include loud talkers, headphone‑free videos, pungent foods, and bare feet.
The overall effect: a stronger preference for control and predictability—qualities families find in driving.
The rise of “closer‑to‑home” travel
This mood is pushing a “closer‑to‑home” mindset into the mainstream:
- 52% of Americans plan multiple smaller trips nearby instead of one big blowout
- 40% cite costs as the main reason for that choice
Winners include secondary markets that offer value and ease. Hotel bookings are rising in places like Topeka, Kansas; Charlottesville, Virginia; and Zanesville, Ohio, as families stitch together quick breaks that maximize long weekends and minimize planning drama. Short “microcations” of three to four days carry special appeal, letting people stretch paid time off without risking a budget spiral.
International travel and impacts on destination cities
International travel has taken the hardest hit. Across Europe:
- Domestic trips are up 8%
- Bookings to North America are down 17%
- The United States is off Europe’s top 15 seasonal destinations
In U.S. cities reliant on international arrivals, declines are visible:
- Las Vegas saw a 9.8% drop in international air travel in June 2025, with 3.1 million visitors, or 11% fewer than last year
- Miami reported a 4.5% fall in international arrivals in June, following a 10.5% drop in May
“There is a concern that the gaming industry in general is nickel and diming people. They don’t like it,” said Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, pointing to rising entertainment costs and add‑ons that make visitors think twice.
How travelers are budgeting and adapting
Despite belt‑tightening, Americans aren’t giving up on trips. The average 2025 travel budget is $10,244, up sharply from about $5,300 last year. The number looks ambitious, but the tactics behind it are pragmatic:
- 79% are setting a specific travel budget
- Nearly two‑thirds plan to use points and rewards to offset costs
- Households cut everyday spending—cooking at home more, buying fewer new clothes, trimming takeout—to free funds for travel
Where people go, they look for savings in familiar ways:
- 41% are staying with friends or family
- 40% are choosing cheaper accommodations
- 26% are taking staycations
- 12% are trying home‑swaps
These choices push more trips onto the highway, where families can pack snacks, bring pets, and set their own schedule. Parents say that control is often as valuable as the savings, especially when airline fees and baggage rules complicate holiday travel with kids.
Industry response: airlines, airports, and destinations
Airlines and airports face awkward timing. The industry spent much of the past year adding capacity and marketing deals after a “summer of savings” in some fare categories. But public patience has worn thin after repeated meltdowns and long lines.
Federal guidance about airport screening and traveler rights becomes more important when stress is high. Officials continue to offer updates and tips through the Transportation Security Administration, including reminders on ID, screening rules, and what to expect during peak periods: https://www.tsa.gov/travel.
For destinations, the move to road trips is both threat and opportunity:
- Big gateway cities dependent on international visitors will need to compete harder on value and experience.
- Smaller towns within a few hours’ drive of major metro areas may keep gaining as families seek parks, local festivals, and lower lodging costs.
- Hoteliers report shorter booking windows and choppy demand, but solid weekend pickups in drivable markets when weather cooperates.
A new travel rhythm that may persist
Analysts see a new rhythm emerging: people are splitting vacation time into multiple short breaks and tacking a day onto long weekends when prices are predictable. Companies offering flexible cancellation and transparent fees appear to be winning business, echoing Henry’s point about intentional spending.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the behavior looks like a practical response to costs, control, and comfort rather than a short‑lived trend—one that could carry into 2026.
Traveler perspective and what’s next
Travelers describe their choices simply: they want to see grandparents without paying three times the usual fare, plan a winter drive that doesn’t hinge on a tight connection, and keep a handle on costs while still making memories. The car gives them that option. Fuel prices matter, but the ability to leave when they want, stop as needed, and avoid baggage fees often tips the balance toward the road.
Even so, air travel is not disappearing:
- Only 11% of Americans say they plan to fly less this year
- Many are still booking key long‑haul trips—weddings, reunions, bucket‑list destinations—while trimming the rest
As the holiday season approaches, the pattern is clear: road trips will carry the peak. The question for airlines is whether improved on‑time performance, simpler fees, and better communication can win back travelers who have grown weary of airport hassles. Until that happens, families will likely keep reaching for the keys.
This Article in a Nutshell
A major shift toward driving is reshaping 2025 holiday travel: almost 90% of planned travelers prefer road trips due to higher fares, airport delays, and safety concerns. Financial pressures—92% plan to travel but 58% feel constrained by costs—are driving shorter, regional trips, microcations, and budget tactics like staying with friends and using rewards. International arrivals fall and cities like Las Vegas and Miami report declines. Airlines and destinations must offer transparent fees, flexible policies, and value to compete as families choose predictability and control.
