With air travel anxiety rising and burnout driving Americans out of their routines, the open road is calling again. We surveyed 1,000 U.S. travelers to uncover where they’re going, why they’re driving instead of flying, and how road trips are being redefined — from shorter routes and packed coolers to unexpected detours, Tesla avoidance, and Rihanna-led playlists.

Key Findings

• 45% of Americans say recent airline crashes and malfunction coverage have pushed them to choose road trips over flights this summer.
• 39% of Americans are road-tripping to relieve stress and burnout.
• 43% of Americans are planning to visit national parks this summer, and 1 in 5 say they’re doing so in response to federal funding cuts. 
• 3 in 5 travelers are keeping their road trip destinations within 500 miles.
• Packing meals is the top way Americans are cutting road trip costs — 40% are skipping restaurants to save money.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans say they wouldn’t take a Tesla on a road trip, making it the most avoided car brand for road trips.
• Rihanna is the #1 artist Americans want to listen to on their road trips, beating out Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

How Far, How Long, and With Whom? Breaking Down 2025 Road Trip Trends

Road trips are back, but Americans aren’t crossing the country like they used to. Instead, 60% plan to keep it under 500 miles, redefining what a summer getaway looks like. 

But a shorter route doesn’t mean a shorter vacation. Only 4% are heading out for just a day, meaning the romance of the multi-day trek is alive and well.

While 86% of Americans will travel with companions (89% when you count pets), 1 in 10 will go solo. That number jumps to nearly 1 in 5 for Gen Z, and men are more than twice as likely as women to travel alone (16% vs. 7%).

Hotels and motels remain the go-to for 58% of road trippers, but modern travelers are increasingly disrupting this norm. 1 in 5 Americans now choose Airbnb or VRBO, bringing comfort and convenience on the road. Gen Z is leading the lodging revolution: 33% now favor home rentals — triple the rate of boomers (11%), who still largely stick to hotels.

Burnout, Stress, and Anxiety Push Americans to Reclaim the Road

Burned out and fed up, millions of Americans are hitting the road to escape and recharge. Nearly 40% say they’re road tripping to break away from daily stress and burnout, a striking sign of how the highway offers more than just nice scenery.

But fear of flying is also driving decisions. Nearly half (45%) say news about plane crashes and malfunctions has pushed them to drive instead of fly. Younger generations are especially spooked: 80% of Gen Z and 60% of millennials are avoiding air travel, compared to just 28% of baby boomers. 

Still, emotional escape isn’t the only force at play — for many, the thrill of adventure is calling. 

Independence is the top motivator for today’s road-trippers. One-third say they love the freedom and control that comes with driving, from setting the pace to choosing their stops.

Other motivations include:

• 23% see it as better for their budgets than flying;
• One-fifth say it’s the best way to get to and from their destination;
• One in ten claim it’s the easiest way to travel with pets and kids.

From Long Drives to Getting Lost: The Road Trip Fears Dividing Generations and Incomes

Fear of flying may drive some people to the highway, but road trips come with their own baggage. For 27% of Americans, car troubles are the biggest fear on the road. Other frustrations include:

But these worries don’t hit everyone the same. Different groups face different anxieties, and Gen Z is rewriting the road trip stress map. Only 17% of Gen Zers fear car trouble, compared to the national average of 27%. And though getting lost isn’t a big deal for most (6%), it is for Gen Z, where 1 in 5 list it as a major concern.

Are these concerns deal breakers for people with road trip ambitions? While it’s impossible to control gas prices or predict breakdowns, Americans can take steps to address some travel fears. Roadside assistance programs can provide help with breakdowns, and auto transportation services let travelers relocate their vehicles without the hassle of long-distance driving — a practical solution for moves, extended stays, or one-way trips.

Most Americans Say “No Thanks” To Picking Up Hitchhikers

Only 8% list safety concerns as their biggest road trip worry — until a hitchhiker appears on the shoulder.

3 in 4 Americans say they’d never pick up a hitchhiker, with women especially unwilling. 84% say they wouldn’t stop, compared to 67% of men. 

Gen Z, however, is far more open to the idea. Nearly 3 in 5 say they’d offer a ride to a stranger, while only 22% of baby boomers say the same, making them the most cautious age group.

Still, when it comes to helping someone in need, most Americans won’t leave others stranded:

Tech Is in the Driver’s Seat on Young Americans’ Road Trips

Nearly half of Americans (44%) feel fully prepped for their road trip adventure, having covered everything from checking their tire pressure to downloading playlists for the drive. 

Baby boomers lead the pack in preparedness, with 63% saying they’re ready to roll, thanks to decades of road tripping know-how. Gen Z, meanwhile, is more likely to wing it: only 1 in 5 say they’re usually well-prepared before hitting the road.

Planning looks a little different for tech-savvy Gen Z. Over half (55%) use AI tools like ChatGPT to map out routes, research destinations, and prep packing lists, alongside 46% of millennials. In total, 31% of Americans use AI when planning their road trips, though just 14% of baby boomers are on board. 

Gen Zers also look to social media for trip tips, with 41% using TikTok, 33% relying on vlogs, and 28% turning to Instagram.

Overall, though, most Americans steer clear of social media when planning — just 10% use TikTok or Instagram, and only 16% use YouTube. Baby boomers, in particular, are firmly unplugged: 46% plan solo without tech help, and 1 in 3 rely solely on prior road trip experience.

Naturally, this means Gen Zers also have a unique idea of essential travel hacks for a smooth journey. Nearly 1 in 5 say a portable Wi-Fi or hotspot device is their most essential road trip item, compared to just 7% of Americans overall.

Meanwhile, older generations define “well prepared” a bit differently. 41% of Americans swear by a cooler packed with snacks and drinks as their top travel hack, especially baby boomers (54%) and Gen Xers (45%). Only 12% of Gen Z agree, showing just how much technology is replacing tradition on the road.

Road Trips Get a Financial Tune-Up as Americans Adjust to Economic Pressures

As summer kicks off, cost is steering the wheel for many Americans. 68% say they’re closely watching their travel budgets this year, citing ongoing economic pressures. 

Gen Z is feeling the financial squeeze most of all. Only 4% say their summer travel budget hasn’t been affected, compared to 30% of baby boomers who report no financial impact.

That raises the big question: What are road trippers really willing to spend this summer?

• $249 or less: 16%;
• $250-$400: 28%;
• $500-$999: 27%;
• $1,000+: 29%. 

Gas is the one cost no road tripper can escape. Coolers, budget motels, and staying with family help cut expenses, but fuel still eats into summer travel budgets. A solid 26% say gas prices are frustrating, but not enough to change their plans. However, 40% are budgeting more carefully to cover fuel costs, and 8% are shortening their trips just to save at the pump.

For those watching every dollar, cutting trip length is a clear choice, but it isn’t the most popular way for road trippers to save money. 

However, some Americans aren’t scaling back at all. Nearly half of baby boomers (46%) are sticking to their original travel plans, compared to just 13% of Gen Z, who are more likely to adapt.

In fact, Gen Z is determined to make road trips work, no matter what it takes. 1 in 5 plan to skip car maintenance just to afford their trip. Additionally, 53% will bring all their own food, while 47% will split costs with companions.

For Many, It’s About the Journey — Not the Destination

Americans want more than just a fast, cheap drive; they want to enjoy the ride. 44% do admit that their trip would be better if gas prices dropped, but for Americans, the experience itself is equally important. 

Here’s what they believe will make their time on the road even better:

• More scenic routes: 21%;
• Less road construction: 19%;
• More roadside food options: 8%;
• Cleaner rest stops: 5%;
• More police tracking dangerous drivers: 3%;
• More car tech/entertainment: 2%.

Despite their eagerness to cut road trip costs, Gen Z is evenly split between what would improve their trips: lower gas prices (31%) and scenic routes (32%). Baby boomers, meanwhile, want to save money at the pump (45%) and would appreciate less construction on the road (27%).

To make the most of their trips, some couples are even adding intimacy to their itineraries. 17% of Americans say they’ve pulled over to be physically intimate during a road trip, but that number jumps to 28% of Gen Z and 25% of millennials. Only 9% of baby boomers say the same.

High-income travelers are more likely to heat things up behind the wheel. 1 in 4 earners making $150K+ have pulled over for intimacy, compared to just 16% of lower earners.

Tesla Tops the List of Least-Trusted Road Trip Vehicles

For many travelers, what they’re driving is just as important as where they’re going. Half of Americans say they won’t road trip in certain cars because of their reputation or how the vehicle is perceived.

So which brands are being left behind? One stands out far above the rest:

Tesla tops the “do not drive” list by a wide margin, and baby boomers are especially resistant, with 2 in 5 saying they’d never take one on the road (compared to 1 in 4 Gen Zers).

However, Gen Z is the most brand-aware generation. Only 39% say they’ll road trip in any car, making them the most image-conscious drivers on the road.

Americans Are Visiting National Parks Before It’s Too Late

From Yosemite to the Everglades, national parks are calling, and Americans must go. 1 in 5 say they want to visit parks before they’re further impacted by climate change or federal funding cuts. Meanwhile, 23% take a more hopeful view, believing that showing up helps keep these places protected.

But natural landmarks aren’t the only stops plotted on the map. When asked about their ideal road trip destination, Americans revealed a wide range of preferences:

Different age groups have very different destination preferences. Historic small towns are the first choice for 32% of baby boomers, while Gen Xers and millennials favor beach towns (28% and 35%, respectively), and Gen Zers flock to big cities (31%). 

Age groups don’t agree at all on some destination choices. While one-third of baby boomers plan to visit small historic towns, only 3% of Gen Zers will meet them there. Meanwhile, only 1 in 10 baby boomers will join the 30% of Zers who drive to urban destinations. Finally, although national parks are popular with 28% of Gen Zers, only 18% of baby boomers are looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

When it comes to choosing where to go, age isn’t just a number — it’s a roadmap.

The Ultimate Road Trip Playlist: America’s Top Songs and Artists Revealed

At the end of the day, a road trip isn’t complete without the right soundtrack, and Americans have strong opinions on what to play first. According to Spotify, the top songs are:

But while the classics bring nostalgia, today’s biggest stars dominate the drive. These artists are leading the playlist pack:

Whether it’s to save money, sidestep flight delays, or simply soak up the freedom of the highway, more Americans are returning to road trips in 2025. Their routes, budgets, and playlists may differ, but one thing is clear: Americans are ready to hit the road again, on their own terms.

Methodology

This study focused on 1,000 Americans who plan to take a road trip this summer. To ensure the answers represented the opinions of the U.S., we surveyed people from each region of the country, age group, and income bracket. We also analyzed the top 50 road trip playlists on Spotify to determine which songs and artists are the most popular.

Overall, the diversity of questions and analysis allowed us to get a complete picture of every aspect of the American road trip for 2025. 

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