Travelers Opt for Road Trips and Extended Stays Amid Higher Costs

Travelers Opt for Road Trips and Extended Stays Amid Higher Costs overview

Travelers are opting for road trips, extending stays, and leaving earlier to stretch their holiday budgets amid rising travel costs.

Important details from the source

• Travelers are prioritizing affordability this holiday season by choosing road trips, extending stays and leaving earlier.
• 29, 2026 – Americans are adapting their holiday travel plans in response to rising travel costs, according to new survey and booking data from Hertz.
• Six in 10 respondents planning to travel for Thanksgiving and the December holiday period say higher airfares make them more likely to drive.
• Among respondents planning to travel for Thanksgiving, 37% say they are driving instead of flying to save money on holiday travel.
• As travelers weigh driving against higher airfares, Hertz advance reservations offer another indicator of holiday driving plans: bookings are up 16% year over year for Thanksgiving and 7% for Christmas and New Year’s.
• “Travelers are looking for ways to stretch their holiday budgets without giving up time with family and friends,” said Chris Berg, President of Rental at Hertz.
• “For families or groups traveling together, loading everyone into a rental car rather than buying several airline tickets may help make the trip more affordable and give them more flexibility over when they come and go.”.
• Americans continue to prioritize holiday travel despite ongoing cost pressures.
• Nearly half of respondents (48%) plan to travel for Thanksgiving, while 44% plan to travel during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period.
• More than one-third of Americans (37%) say travel costs are affecting their Thanksgiving plans, whether by changing plans, cutting costs elsewhere or staying home altogether.

How to use this guide

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Best for

• Readers comparing several destinations, places, or ideas in one topic.
• Travellers who want inspiration before narrowing down the final plan.
• Users who need a fast overview before checking detailed offers or local conditions.

Things to check before deciding

• Current prices, availability, opening times, and travel conditions.
• Seasonality, weather, local holidays, and peak demand periods.
• Distance from the main arrival point, accommodation area, or planned route.
• Whether the option matches the traveller’s budget, pace, and expectations.

Frequently asked questions

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Conclusion

Travelers Opt for Road Trips and Extended Stays Amid Higher Costs is useful as an exploration starting point for understanding the places, experiences, and ideas connected with the topic.