In a striking shift in summer travel behavior, Americans are choosing highways over runways, and Teslas are being left in the garage.
A new study by RoadRunner Auto Transport reveals that road trips are not only back in style, they’re being strategically reimagined to escape burnout, avoid air travel anxiety, and stretch travel budgets during uncertain economic times.
The national survey of 1,000 U.S. travelers paints a clear picture: 2025 is the year of the strategic road trip, where control, cost, and convenience trump the allure of air miles and EVs.
Fear of Flying and Burnout Push Americans to Hit the Road
While the romance of the road trip never entirely disappeared, new pressures are driving its revival. Nearly half (45%) of Americans say recent airline crashes and malfunction coverage have convinced them to skip flights altogether. Statistically, flying is extremely safe; yet, emotional responses and perceived risk are shaping how Americans choose to travel this summer. A full 39% are road-tripping to combat stress and burnout, embracing the open road as both therapy and escape.
Gen Z and Millennials are especially flight-averse: 80% of Gen Z and 60% of Millennials say they’re actively avoiding air travel, compared to just 28% of Boomers. Whether driven by mental health or mistrust of the skies, travelers are rewriting their vacation rules.
Shorter Routes, Longer Stays, and a Cooler in the Trunk
The modern road trip is no longer about cross-country marathons. Three out of five travelers are keeping their destinations within 500 miles, yet 96% are still planning multi-day getaways, proving that short distances don’t mean short durations.
How are they cutting costs? Forty percent are packing meals to skip restaurants, and nearly one-third are avoiding toll roads and cities with high parking fees. Gen Zers are going even further: 1 in 5 plan to skip car maintenance to afford their trip, while 53% will bring all their food, and 47% will split costs with friends.
National Parks, Nostalgia, and Rihanna
Nature tops the list for 2025 road trip destinations. Forty-three percent of Americans are visiting national parks, and one in five say it’s a direct response to climate change and federal funding cuts. Others are driven by nostalgia, discovery, or a desire to reconnect with people or themselves.
When it comes to the ultimate road trip vibe, Rihanna beats out Beyoncé and Taylor Swift as the most wanted artist on the road, with 38% of Americans choosing her to lead their playlists. For those curating classics, “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” still top Spotify’s most-streamed road trip anthems.
Hotels, Rentals, and a Changing Roadside Culture
While 58% of travelers still choose hotels or motels, Airbnb and VRBO are gaining traction, especially among Gen Z, where 33% now favor home rentals (triple the Boomer rate). And though 8 in 10 Americans say they wouldn’t pick up a hitchhiker, nearly 60% of Gen Z say they would—a reminder that younger generations are traveling by different rules.
The Great Road Trip Reset
As 68% of Americans tighten their budgets, many say road trips are the only way they can afford to travel this summer. But this isn’t just about saving a few bucks on airfare. It’s about independence, intention, and reclaiming the joy of the journey.
Whether they’re driving to national parks, historic small towns, or beach cities, Americans are hitting the road not just to get somewhere, but to feel something.
And as for Teslas? For many, they’re not coming along for the ride.
Chantelle Kincy founded and created Flannels or FlipFlops. In this unique space, she combines her expertise as a writer and travel advisor to inspire wanderlust and offer practical travel insights. With countless hours of education in the travel niche, specialty certificates in cruise travel, and a passion for exploring the grandeur of National Parks, Chantelle brings a wealth of experience to her readers.