Road trips in the U.S. - statistics & facts
Embodying the spirit of adventure and exploration, road trips have long been a hallmark of American culture. When U.S. travelers were asked what types of trips they had planned in 2024, over 30 percent said they were going to take a road trip, making it the third most popular type of vacation. But in a country as big as the United States, what constitutes a road trip and what is just a trip down the road? In 2024, the most common amount of time U.S. travelers planned to drive on a road trip was between six to 10 hours.
Whether traveling in an SUV or an RV, the great American road trip does not look to be dying out any time soon. While motivations vary from soaking in the scenery to saving money, many Americans see the value in jumping in, buckling up, and hitting the open road.
What are the most popular road trips in the U.S.?
Iconic routes, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Route 66, and the Pacific Coast Highway, have become symbolic of the American road trip. Route 66, often referred to as the "Main Street of America," holds a special cultural significance, featuring notable landmarks such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the historic town of Williams in Arizona. For those who like to spend more time on the road, Route 20, the longest highway in the U.S., spans over 3,365 miles from Massachusetts to Oregon. Meanwhile, the top U.S. state for summer road trips in 2024 was Florida, with over 20 percent of surveyed Americans saying they would travel to or through the coastal state.Why do Americans go on road trips?
The two leading reasons U.S. travelers took road trips in 2024, were enjoying new landscapes and scenery and listening to music while driving. However, not all reasons for taking a road trip were recreational; when looking at the leading travel changes Americans would make due to inflation in 2024, almost 20 percent of U.S. respondents said they would take road trips instead of flying, placing it second in the ranking after taking fewer trips. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of U.S. travelers said that they would rather drive to their travel destination than fly.What do Americans like to drive on road trips?
SUVs were the most popular vehicle for U.S. road trips among all generations in 2024. During the same survey, approximately 85 percent of respondents cited comfortable seating as the top feature they prioritized when selecting a vehicle for U.S. road trips, while just over 60 percent chose fuel efficiency. Some Americans even take their road trips to another level, driving recreational vehicles (RVs) or campers to their destinations. In 2023, wholesale shipments of RVs in the U.S. reached over 300,000, a significant decrease from the numbers seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.Whether traveling in an SUV or an RV, the great American road trip does not look to be dying out any time soon. While motivations vary from soaking in the scenery to saving money, many Americans see the value in jumping in, buckling up, and hitting the open road.
