Anticipated July Fourth Journeys: Americans Prepare for Road Trips and Flight Excursions
Summer 2025 is shaping up to be a season of domestic travel dominance in the United States, as concerns over international instability, flight disruptions, and higher costs drive a strong preference for closer, more reliable destinations.
According to recent data, around 90% of Americans plan to travel within the U.S. for their next trip, with popular destinations including Florida, California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Road trips are especially popular, with 60% of travelers opting for personal or rental vehicles, reflecting a preference for flexibility and potentially lower costs compared to flying.
In contrast, international travel faces challenges due to geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, and travel advisories urging caution for Americans traveling abroad. Only about 25% of travelers are planning international trips, a significant drop compared to domestic travel preferences.
The impact of airline ticket prices is also evident, with travelers prioritizing shorter flights or road trips to manage expenses better within smaller budgets (average summer 2025 travel budget around $3,132, down from previous years). Younger travelers (18-35 years old) are particularly cautious about flight disruptions and prefer destinations that require less travel time and risk, reinforcing the trend toward domestic or nearby international trips.
One bright spot for international travel is the lower prices. Economy airfares to Europe, according to travel booking app Hopper, are currently ranging from $875 to $1,500 per person, a 13% decrease during the holiday travel period compared to last year. This significant drop has led to an increase in last-minute bookings to Europe, with travel agent Laurel Brunvoll observing this trend.
Travel nurse Ryan Patella, 24, is one such traveler taking advantage of the lower prices for international travel. "I've always wanted to explore Europe, and the prices are just too good to pass up this year," he said.
Despite these challenges, travel companies report that consumers continue to have an appetite for travel, despite broader concerns about inflation and the economy. The Fourth of July holiday is expected to see a record number of Americans traveling, with AAA projecting that 72.2 million people will travel more than 50 miles (80 km) for vacations over an eight-day period.
In summary, summer 2025 travel in the U.S. is marked by a strong preference for domestic travel and road trips, driven by concerns over international instability, flight disruptions, and higher costs. While international travel is recovering, the primary trend reflects a cautious, budget-conscious traveler favoring closer, more reliable destinations with flexible, less risky travel modes. The best value for travelers this year is for international trips, with relatively stable air ticket prices leading to an increase in last-minute bookings to Europe.
Travelers exhibiting a cautious and budget-conscious attitude are favoring domestic destinations such as Florida, California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, given concerns over international instability and flight disruptions. Compared to domestic travel, international travel faces challenges, with only 25% of travelers planning trips abroad due to geopolitical tensions and travel advisories. Despite these concerns, lower international airfares, particularly to Europe, have led to an increase in last-minute bookings, making it an attractive option for some travelers, such as travel nurse Ryan Patella.
