August marks the final stretch of the summer travel season, as more Americans opt to hit the road instead of the friendly skies. With the increasing cost of airfare, 83% of people plan to drive to their vacation destinations.
Longer drives aren’t deterring travelers either; six in ten say they plan to cover over 300 miles this summer.
“High airfare is pushing families to seek meaningful experiences closer to home; it’s less about the miles traveled and more about the memories made,” says Whitney Dueñas Richardson, Founder and CEO of Global Sprouts.
She pivoted her international travel plans – originally to Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey – in favor of affordable domestic adventures after ticket prices approached $5,000 for a family of three.
Not Just for Budget Travelers
It’s not just budget travelers who are seeking out road trips. The latest Affluent Traveler Survey from Kensington shows that travelers prefer these types of trips as they can be shorter in duration, more flexible, and don’t require as much long-term planning.
This shift reflects more than just cost savings. Travelers are prioritizing flexibility and control, like being able to adjust their itineraries without costly change fees or stopping in off-the-beaten-path towns.
Trevor James, Co-Founder and COO of Moterra Campervans, has also seen a noticeable change toward road-based travel. “Rising airfare costs and continued airline disruptions have pushed more people to choose the flexibility of driving—even for what would have been ‘fly-to’ vacations in the past.”
Across their luxury campervan fleet, bookings for summer road trips were up by double digits this year, and the average trip length grew to a week-plus road trip. James notes, “That’s more demand than we were seeing during the camping craze of COVID!”
Ford Smith, Founder of A1 Xpress, says he observes travelers breaking up their vacations into two legs – flying into a central hub when prices dip, then renting a vehicle or campervan to explore the region without having to book multiple short-haul flights.
“This turns what used to be one expensive point-to-point trip into a more flexible, multistop journey that costs less than flying directly.”
Longer Distances, Bigger Adventures
Camper vans are gaining popularity among travelers who seek the adventure of long-distance travel without compromising comfort.
David Ciccerelli, founder and CEO of Lake.co, fondly remembers taking dozens of road trips as a child, sleeping in camper vans and tents. “Campervan travel blends the best of both worlds, mobility and comfort,” says Cicerelli.
Travelers have the flexibility to explore multiple destinations without unpacking every night or worrying about the weather– even experienced campers aren’t thrilled about setting up a tent in the rain.
Ciccerelli adds, “Compared to hotels, you can stay closer to nature, and compared to traditional camping, you have more amenities right at your fingertips.”
The Campervan Appeal
Companies like Moterra are making these types of vacations more accessible by offering fully equipped vans available in destinations near national parks and popular road trip routes, such as Jackson Hole, Las Vegas, and Portland, Maine.
Unlike Recreational Vehicles (RVs), which can be harder to maneuver and require specialized hookups, campervans handle more like large SUVs. That makes them more approachable for travelers who want extra amenities without the learning curve of a full-sized RV.
James notes that their line of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans comes with all the safety features that drivers want, such as blind spot assistance and a backup camera, and that most renters are comfortable behind the wheel within the first hour.
However, the main draw is flexibility. With a campervan, your hotel, transportation, and restaurants can be wherever you want them to be, which opens up opportunities for unique moments – like enjoying freshly brewed coffee beside the hot spring you camped at the night before, or eating dinner as you watch bison graze in the distance.
Chris Oberman, CEO and Founder of Moving Jack, says that this freedom, especially when traveling with young kids, is what makes it so appealing. “If a spot isn’t as fun as you thought it would be, just drive to another one!”
A noisy camping spot? “No biggie,” he says, start the car and head to a more comfortable place.
Road Trips as Family Time
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey– and road trips are a chance for families to spend quality time together. GSTV survey data shows that nearly half of summer travelers are accompanied by family.
Ciccarelli says that the key is pacing and planning, breaking up long drives into manageable legs, never driving more than four to five hours at a time.
Driving through Michigan to the Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior, Cicarelli planned stops at quirky roadside attractions, including the Pickle Barrel House Museum, giant “Jilly” dairy cow statues, and the largest Loonie, a giant Canadian goose dollar coin, to keep the journey engaging.
“Entertainment is a big piece,” says Cicarelli. Like audiobooks, plenty of snacks, and travel games.
Smith agrees, adding that trips with kids work best when the day has a rhythm; even long, unbroken drives will burn out the most patient of passengers.
He likes to break up long drives with simple resets, like a playground stop or a diner lunch, giving kids something to look forward to and the adults a mental breather before getting back behind the wheel.
Planning Ahead for the Perfect Trip
Despite being cost-conscious, 90% of Americans reported thinking about their summer vacations as early as February. Families with children are far more likely to map out their itineraries months in advance, as reservations at campgrounds, attractions, and rentals book up early.
James notes that Moterra is seeing a younger renter base than before. “Families with kids still make up over 50% of our summer travelers, but there’s been a 20% increase in renters under 35—often couples or friend groups looking for a more adventurous, ‘off-the-grid’ vacation without sacrificing comfort.”
Travelers planning trips in the fall can take advantage of lighter crowds and cooler evenings, such as a one-way trip from Seattle down the Oregon Coast or a campervan journey through the Rocky Mountains with stops in Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks.
“Right now the wildflowers are at their best, and wildlife activity is high,” says James. And that’s exactly the point– sometimes the best stops are the ones you didn’t have planned.
