About 53% of Americans are leaning into shorter getaways this year, choosing two- to three-day trips over cross-country treks. That shift reflects a growing appetite for a getaway that’s easier to plan, more budget friendly and simple enough to enjoy without a lot of preparation. Gas prices are up, and flights are full, marking 2025 as the year of local road trips.
Many are skipping TSA lines and heading out on the road instead, often within a single tank of gas. Here’s how this growing preference reflects a deeper shift in how Americans are rethinking leisure, favoring nearby escapes over long-haul flights.
What’s fueling the rise in gas prices?
As of June 2025, the national average for a gallon of gas is $3.220, up from $3.179 just a month ago during peak spring break travel. This increase follows a typical seasonal pattern, as gas prices tend to climb during summer when demand rises and production dips.
Zooming in on the numbers, gasoline demand fell from 8.81 to 8.64 million barrels per day, while supply dropped from 240.6 to 239.1 million barrels. These shifts are keeping prices elevated, though they remain about 38 cents lower than a year ago due to continued weak consumer demand and low crude oil prices.
Although the price increase may not seem dramatic when compared to last year’s peak, the cumulative effect of fluctuating supply, softer demand and reduced production has made drivers more cautious about long-distance plans. In response, more Americans are opting for shorter drives over airfare, driven by practicality, cost awareness and a renewed appreciation for nearby experiences.
Why air travel still feels out of reach
While gas prices are one barrier, rising travel costs overall are also reshaping how Americans make travel decisions. The average cost of travel, including airfare, lodging, meals and rental cars, is just 2% lower than it was at this time in 2024. This slight dip offers minimal relief to travelers, especially when individual categories such as hotel stays or car rentals remain stubbornly high.
However, once extra charges like baggage fees, seat selection, resort add-ons and dynamic pricing are included, total expenses often climb well beyond expectations. Even short domestic trips can feel financially burdensome for some households as these cumulative costs add up quickly.
As a result, many are choosing to stay closer to home rather than take on the added financial stress of long-distance travel. With this, 68% of travelers are sticking with domestic destinations in 2025, which signals a broader shift in priorities, where convenience, familiarity and cost-effectiveness are outweighing the appeal of far-flung, international trips.
The return of the classic American road trip
With gas prices high and air travel still feeling complicated, it’s no surprise that road trips are gaining momentum, with more travelers embracing quick weekend escapes as their go-to travel fix. Instead of long, expensive vacations, they’re leaning into spontaneous getaways that require little more than a map, a playlist and a tank of gas.
According to a survey, 83% of people plan to drive to their summer vacation destination instead of booking a flight because of rising airfare costs. This trend is reflected in the growing popularity of so-called pop-up escapes, with 90% of people looking for short trips within driving distance that offer just enough of a break without the stress of major planning or high costs.
Why the road feels like the smarter choice
When gas prices and flight delays make traditional travel feel like more of a hassle than it’s worth, hitting the road starts to sound a lot more appealing. For a growing number of people, the smarter choice isn’t farther away, but closer than they think.
Cost control makes budgeting easier
One of the biggest appeals of road travel is cost predictability. Without airfare, travelers can avoid fluctuating ticket prices, baggage fees, seat selection charges and costly airport meals, which can quickly add up. In addition, fuel, snacks and a few well-chosen stops often cost less than a single round-trip flight, especially when split among families or groups. This level of transparency allows travelers to plan spontaneous weekend getaways without the stress of unexpected costs.
Flexibility opens up spontaneous experiences
Unlike flights and hotel packages locked in weeks in advance, road trips allow for last-minute detours and unexpected discoveries. Whether it’s pulling over for a roadside peach stand or adding an extra night in a lakeside town, the open road offers freedom that’s hard to find in air travel.
Local discovery creates deeper connections
When people drive through nearby towns, they often uncover spots they’d never think to fly to. A quirky museum, a quiet hiking trail or a family-owned diner becomes part of the journey. These kinds of experiences build a more personal connection with a place, turning even a short trip into something meaningful.
Crowd avoidance adds comfort and control
Busy terminals and cramped planes can take the joy out of a vacation before it even starts. Driving skips the stress of airport parking, long security lines and unpredictable delays.
In the car, travelers can control their environment, from choosing the music to deciding when and where to stop. This level of control turns the drive itself into a comfortable, customizable experience, and one that offers mental ease and a break from the rigid structure of commercial travel.
America’s travel pivot is unfolding on the road
The numbers are in, and the road is winning. Americans are choosing to drive not just to save money, but to gain control of how and when they travel. With airfare costs still high and delays all too common, road trips offer something increasingly rare in travel: predictability. For 2025, the highway isn’t just an alternative; it’s becoming the main event, emerging as a practical and empowering solution.
Zuzana Paar, creator of Amazing Travel Life, is a seasoned traveler and writer who has explored 62 countries and lived in St. Lucia, Dubai, Vienna, Doha and Slovakia. Her work has been featured in Fox News, NY Daily News, MSN and more; she has also appeared live on the Chicago WGN Bob Sirott Radio Show. When she’s not discovering new destinations, she shares travel tips and insider insights to help others experience the world in a unique and unforgettable way.