STUDY: American Travelers Prefer Road Trips to Flights

Image: A couple relaxing on the banks of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. (Photo via DNY59/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Image: A couple relaxing on the banks of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. (Photo via DNY59/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:26 AM ET, Mon May 20, 2019

A recent study found that nearly three out of four American travelers would prefer to hit the road this summer instead of fly to their destination.

According to a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Ford, 73 percent of the 2,000 respondents would rather drive to their vacation destinations, making it the preferred method over planes, trains and cruise ships.

Americans blame several factors for their lack of desire to fly, even if it means more time traveling in their vehicle. The gripes against flying include the delays, going through security, cramped seats and the inability to pack everything they want to bring.

"Millennials came of age in a time when air travel was democratizing. They were known as the globe-trotting generation, but now we're seeing a shift," Ford chief futurist Sheryl Connelly said in a statement. "Many of them are choosing to stay closer to home, taking family road trips instead and reliving their childhood for their kids, something we call the #RoadTripRewind."

In addition, travelers who prefer to hit the roads also enjoy scenic views, the freedom to stop whenever and the ability to pack whatever is needed for the trip.

In total, 59 percent of Americans plan to take more road trips in the next five years than they did over the last five years.

Another 63 percent of respondents said they look forward to vacation more when it's a road trip, but some issues stopping some Americans include overall cost, bad weather conditions and the long trips causing children to become restless.


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