by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:20 PM ET, Wed May 20, 2026
Yes, prices on everything from groceries to gas and airline tickets are skyrocketing, making it challenging for Americans to make ends meet. But that doesn't mean they're willing to give up on a summer vacation.
Instead, Americans are increasingly opting for shorter, more budget-friendly getaways, according to new data from Enterprise Mobility, a company that includes car rental, carsharing, vanpooling, car sales, and more in its portfolio.
Nearly half of summer travelers (47%) are planning shorter getaways this summer compared to last year, according to a survey conducted by Global Insights on behalf of Enterprise Mobility.
Cost is a key factor in this shift in vacation duration, according to the survey. Most summer travelers (69%) are opting for weekend getaways, and of those, nearly half (46%) say it's because they're more affordable.
Additional insights surrounding the travel plans of Americans this summer include:
- Short trips are increasingly viewed as a wellness reset – 81% of American summer travelers see them as important for mental recharging.
- 83% feel short trips are easier to take spontaneously, and 74% say they're easier to accommodate within schedules and budgets.
- Nearly two‑thirds (63%) of those taking 1-3-day trips will spend time with friends and family, while 33% are planning short trips for special events or occasions.
- More than half of summer travelers (58%) plan to take a road trip to their next destination.
- 56% find multiple short trips less stressful than planning one large vacation.
Another recent travel industry analysis, conducted by Points
Path, revealed that summer 2026 will be one of the most costly for
consumers in a long time. That report revealed that the cost of domestic cash airfares is up roughly 15% for flights taking place between June 1 and
September 20. Similarly, the cost of international fares have shot up 12% for the same time period. The cost of airline tickets purchased using points has also surged, up 18% domestically and 14% for international routes.
Since President Trump took office and the American-Israeli attack on Iran, the cost of living has skyrocketed for average Americans. In
April, the U.S. annual consumer inflation index posted the largest gain
in three years. Everything from energy prices to the cost of food has
surged.
"Prices are going up everywhere you look and families
everywhere are struggling to keep up," said Janelle Jones, a visiting
senior fellow at the Century Foundation, told Reuters.
There was
a 3.8% increase in energy prices in April, which followed on the heels
of a 10.9% jump in March. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, rose 5.4% after a
record 21.2% surge in March. Food prices have also soared,
particularly in recent months. Grocery store inflation, for instance,
rose 0.7% in April. That figure alone represents the largest increase
since August 2022.
Trump recently faced harsh criticism for saying he does not think about the finances of average Americans.
Travel savings. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/surasaki)
Evolving Travel Habits of Millennials and Gen Z
The steadily rising cost of living in the United States is also impacting the travel plans of younger travelers.
Nearly
three-quarters (73%) of Millennials and Gen Z are planning a vacation
this summer, but an overwhelming share – 90% of Millennials and 77% of
Gen Zers – are now opting to travel domestically.
Where are they
going exactly? Cities are a hot spot for this age group – 70% of Gen
Zers and 44% of Millennials are planning urban trips.
For
Millennials who are not traveling this summer, gas prices (38%),
concerns about inflation (39%) and airfare costs (30%) are key
barriers.
The survey, based on responses from 1,520 U.S. residents aged 18 or older, was conducted this spring from April 6-13.
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