The road trip continues to be a favorite for Americans looking to get away for a bit and especially so among those who remain wary of travel as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. To find out the “perfect” road trip, Utires surveyed 1,260 American drivers about what makes a road trip.
The perfect road trip, according to the results, includes 13 hours of driving over five days with four passengers. Additionally, Americans said that a stop every two hours is key, as was an SUV/Crossover for the type of vehicle. (It also added that crackers, chips and jerky are the top road trip snacks.)
The survey also found that “post-pandemic escapism is fueling summer driving.” More than half of Americans (50.3 percent) took a road trip during the pandemic—and it appears there is even more interest in this type of travel: Two in three Americans (63 percent) expect to go on more road trips than before the pandemic. In addition, 86 percent of families plan to take a road trip in 2021.
Among the reasons why Americans love the road trip is its practical advantages: “You control when you leave, where you stop, how long you linger, and so forth,” the report says. They are also more affordable and allow you to bring more than can fit in your carry-on suitcase. The report also notes that the scenery and “seeing communities and natural wonders up close” is another important factor.
Beyond these reasons, 87 percent of those surveyed said road trips are one of the best ways for families to bond, while a similar 86 percent said they are one of the best ways to test a romantic relationship. Nearly four in five (79 percent) said road trips are an important rite of passage for young people.
In all, 73 percent of people said the conversations and bonding make road trips unique; this was followed by “more sightseeing” (72 percent), flexibility (61 percent) and budget-friendliness (54 percent).
Source: Utires
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