Latest news with #BridgetLong
Forbes
20-07-2025
- Forbes
More Americans Are Taking A Road Trip This Summer. But Can They Afford It?
Americans are taking more road trips than ever. Here's what it means for you. getty The Great American road trip is back. But it's not the free-spending adventure it used to be. Americans are hitting the highway like never before – Enterprise Mobility reports a record 60 percent of Americans plan on traveling via personal or rental vehicle to their summer destination – but the classic joyride is overshadowed by economic anxiety. This summer is about dodging financial potholes and enduring screensaver-worthy traffic. "The summer road trip offers people the opportunity to explore the country with the flexibility and freedom to go where they want, when they want," says Bridget Long, senior vice president of North American operations for Enterprise Mobility. "Freedom and flexibility are key – and why many are turning to road trips this summer." Here are some of the key trends shaping the 2025 summer road trip: Less is more. Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of summer travelers surveyed are cutting expenses to budget for their next trip. Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of summer travelers surveyed are cutting expenses to budget for their next trip. No more restaurants. The most common expenses they are reducing are dining out, buying new clothes, or ordering takeout. The most common expenses they are reducing are dining out, buying new clothes, or ordering takeout. Millennials are the most frugal. Of those cutting back on expenses to afford their summer trip, Millennials (75 percent) are more cost-conscious than Gen X (60 percent) or Baby Boomers (48 percent). Other research corroborates Enterprise's findings. For example, a Credit Karma survey also suggests frugality is "in" this summer: 58 percent of Americans are scaling back travel spending, and 56 percent are choosing cheaper options like camping or visiting national parks. "With interest rates still relatively high, and overall macroeconomic conditions evolving, people are making some common-sense adjustments to their travel plans this year," says financial analyst Jay Abella. No question about it, travel is getting more expensive. And travelers have the sticker-shock stories to prove it. Consider Joel Silverstone's recent family roadtrip, which quickly turned pricey. "Nineteen dollar virgin margaritas and $20 chips with bad guacamole," he recalls. "That just kills your vacation." Time to fly? Nope, says Ruth Jennifer Cruz, a tech entrepreneur who crunched numbers. "After years of flight delays and airport chaos, people want predictable travel," she says. "Plus, the cost savings are substantial – even with gas prices, family road trips cost 60 to 70 percent less than flying." Americans are nostalgic for road trips "The road trip renaissance of 2025 reflects something more profound," explains Susan Sherren, owner of Couture Trips. "It's a nation slowing down long enough to appreciate what we have, to understand where we came from, and to create meaningful connections with both places and people." Sherren was surprised when her 85-year-old mother nixed an opportunity to visit Paris in favor of a road trip to see Lincoln's Springfield and the Oregon Trail. It's not all nostalgia. Staying home just feels safer. Jackie Mondelli, Squaremouth's chief marketing officer, cites her company's data: 34 percent of travelers under 40 feel more anxious about flying. "This also feels like a continuation of a trend that started during COVID, when people turned to RVs and road trips to reduce the risk of exposure," she says. "Since then, many have discovered they enjoy the freedom and flexibility of traveling by car." The control factor is huge, says seasoned road tripper and pro organizer Stephanie Deininger. "People want to explore their own country, not just fly over it," she says. "There's a growing desire to get to know your own state, your own region, your own neighbors. I think this will continue as people crave in-person connection." What does the 2025 road trip look like? Enterprise's data suggests Americans — in addition to saving money and avoiding air travel — are interested in culinary and cultural escapes. It found 50 percent of those surveyed said that their dream holiday includes a combination of relaxing and sightseeing activities, and 46 percent said they are looking to enjoy local food. There may be no better reason to take a road trip. The United States has some of the most diverse cuisine on the planet, from lobster rolls in Maine to Tex-Mex in the Southwest. You can plan your entire trip around food (and it is definitely worth it). And there's plenty to see. Shari Margolin, a travel advisor, just completed an epic road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. "National parks offer stunning beauty, affordability, and memorable vacation experiences," she says. Most American road trips will take place in July, according to Enterprise. And people are going big. "We've found roominess – the need for extra space – and a large trunk to be two of the top desired features of a rental for summer travelers," notes Long, the Enterprise executive. She says 47 percent of respondents to her survey planned to rent an SUV, and 37 percent are opting for a roomy sedan. How to take a successful 2025 road trip Want to actually enjoy your 2025 road trip? Steal these pro tips: Pack like a pro — and plan ahead. That's the advice of travel advisor Stacie Vinson. On a recent road trip with her toddler, her cooler burst open in the middle of a road trip and she lost her child's water bottle. "I didn't have a backup, and there wasn't a general store in sight for miles," she says. "Needless to say, my toddler threw a tantrum." Her advice: pack carefully — and make sure you have a backup for important items, just in case. Insure the journey: Mondelli notes a surge in road trip policies, which cover breakdowns, rental car damage, even luggage stolen from your car. "You get peace of mind," she says. Cut lodging costs. One way you can do it is by skipping the vacation rental platforms and booking directly with an owner. "Airbnb and take around 20 percent in booking commission fees out of the price," says Rebecca Ward, CEO of Simply Owners, a direct booking site. And one more thing. Be prepared for anything . The summer road trip is unpredictable. There's no easy way to tell how your summer road trip will be affected by politics, safety, gas prices or the expected crowds. And a reality check: Not everyone will be successful at saving money. Americans are set to spend an average of $2,867 per household this summer, according to a recent survey by Allianz Partners — that's a slight increase from last year. The road trippers I talked to for this story say they're proceeding with caution. They're planning their trips carefully, watching their bottom line, and expecting the unexpected. That's always a good idea, but perhaps never more than during the summer of 2025.
Business Insider
15-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Grab your cooler, pack the car: The road trip calls this summer as gas prices fall and economic fears linger
Country roads, take me to vacation. The open road is a preferable getaway this summer for Americans who discovered a love for road trips during the pandemic, are feeling economic uncertainty, or want to take advantage of tumbling gas prices. Road trips also offer a degree of certainty — you won't find yourself abroad as tariffs or border policies change, or the latest flight chaos strikes. James Willamor, 45, is setting out on a 4,500-mile road trip to kick off summer. It's become a passion for him; he estimates he spends between 30 and 40 nights a year camping on both short and long trips. Depending on the length of the trip and gas prices, he spends an estimated $500 to $800 on gas, and he tries to optimize by always using a points credit card and other gas rewards programs. He also plans out meals where he can and carries a small portable refrigerator filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. His favorite part of hitting the road is watching the landscape gradually change, going from rivers to rolling hills to mountains. "It's a lot different than in times when I've flown somewhere and you get on the plane and you get off and you're in a totally different biome," he said. "But spending three or four days driving across and seeing the gradual change is probably my favorite part." Cheaper gas and more driving this summer Already, record numbers of Americans hit the road for the first big vacation weekend of the year, per AAA. It projected that over 1 million more Americans would be traveling by car Memorial Day Weekend compared to last year — an increase from 38.2 million auto travelers in 2024 to 39.4 million this year. The urge to stay domestic seems like it'll continue through the Fourth of July: Airbnb said that bookings within 300 miles of vacationers' origin spots are up 32% over the Fourth of July weekend compared to 2024. Enterprise Mobility, whose brands include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo, told BI that the company is seeing a year-over-year increase in expected leisure travel from their non-airport locations in both June and July — what Enterprise deemed a signal of customers leaning into road trips this summer. "People are continuing to prioritize travel, and our research shows an increased interest in road trips this summer," Bridget Long, senior vice president of North American operations at Enterprise Mobility, said in a statement. At the same time, gas prices have come down from 2022-era highs, making it more affordable to hit the road. Lillian Rafson, CEO of travel agency Pack Up + Go, which plans US-based surprise vacations — where destinations are unknown and travelers give an overview of what they're interested in — said that the last few months have seen a surge of interest in road trip packages, compared to last year. Already, 47% of vacations booked through the agency in June were road trips, compared to 27% last year. Rafson said that during times of perceived economic uncertainty, more travelers opt for her firm's minimum budget bookings rather than their more expensive offerings. She said that during last November's election season, minimum-cost bookings surged; that happened yet again in April and May. "Anecdotally, our team mentioned that we've had a few trips cancelled due to layoffs or fear of layoffs, but not a statistically significant number," Rafson said. "Overall, I think people are quietly opting for a lower-budget road trip instead of a major summer trip. But they're still traveling! Just slightly differently." Saying no to flying For some, flying might not be worth it right now, given recent stories of safety and timing concerns. "Right now, I live very close to Newark Airport, and the craziest delays are happening with the air traffic control and stuff — I mean, that alone is making people iffy about traveling," Dan Pieraccini, an avid domestic traveler and road tripper based in New Jersey, said. Some travelers are opting for road trips just because they want to; Scott Reing, 37, is planning a 2,500-mile-long road trip for his family to the Grand Canyon to commemorate his wedding anniversary. His family alternates between bigger vacations abroad and domestic trips to national parks. This year happened to be a national parks year. In theory, he said, some of the appeal of the domestic trip this time around is price, although the cost will still be hefty with the amount of time they're spending on the road. "You kind of have more control over what you're spending when you're doing a road trip versus going to an all-inclusive or going on a cruise or flying abroad," Reing said. "You really have the choice to stay in a motel or a campsite one night or two nights or 10 nights versus something else." Even so, Reing said he isn't broadly rethinking travel or travel spending; next year, he could end up somewhere abroad, like Japan. Indeed, many Americans are still opting for European or international travel this summer, with some powering through uncertainties and deciding it's worth it. But the road is still calling. Cathy Keibler, a 65-year-old retiree in Indiana, is eagerly planning her first major road trip across the country. She wants to see the country, but has no desire to fly anymore. She and her husband have a new Prius, so they're not too concerned about gas expenses and are planning to bring a cooler to mitigate food costs. Keibler also wants to get a closer view of what's happening in her own country; with unrest and uncertainty, a road trip offers an opportunity to see firsthand how that's reflected in different corners of the nation. "Part of the more idealistic reason for making this road trip is to maybe try to get in touch a little bit with really what's happening out there in the country in a way that we can't really do when we're just driving on the interstates and maybe pulling over at a McDonald's," she said.
