More than three in five Americans feel that the best trips are spontaneous trips.
That’s according to a February survey of 2,045 adults planning travel this year, with 67% saying they enjoy travel more if it happens on a whim.
One in five (22%) even base their trip on personal preferences and spontaneous decision-making.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Motel 6, the survey also showed that many respondents don’t seem to care where they are going, they just want to go. Almost three quarters (73%) would be willing to take a trip to a surprise destination.
Three-quarters (75%) agree that when traveling, the journey is just as much fun as the actual destination.
When asked about companions, 78% of travelers prefer to travel with others, while 28% plan to travel with pets.
And typical “travel season” may be a thing of the past: Nearly half of Americans (47%) are just as likely to travel during peak seasons, such as summer and vacations, as they are during off-seasons or holidays. of week.
And 29% said they even prefer to travel during those quieter times.
Visiting family and friends (53%), needing a break from life (50%) and wanting to explore a new city (35%) are some of the top reasons for planned trips.
And these aren’t just quick road trips, with 70% planning to travel more than three hours from their hometown.
On average, travelers feel excited (74%), happy (50%) and energized (49%) at the start of a trip and relaxed (38%) when they are ready to head home.
“Taking a last-minute getaway is a great way to add some joy to your life,” said Julie Arrowsmith, Motel 6 president and interim CEO.
“For those looking for a new adventure this summer, you can rest easy knowing we’re here to provide a clean, comfortable and affordable place to stay so travelers can spend more on the real experiences and events that brought them to the destination.”
More than two in five (44%) say they are changing their travel experiences this year. Of those respondents, 57% will travel to a new destination.
Another 34% plan to visit more than one place in a single trip, and 32% are taking longer vacations than ever before.
But when it comes to budgeting, travelers are saving money on the road this year by traveling in the off-season and avoiding weekend trips (33%) and bringing their own snacks instead of buying them (32%) at the path.
Nearly one in three (30%) opt for cheaper accommodation and others avoid tourist hotspots in favor of a more local experience (24%).
Of those who traveled this year, nearly half (49%) plan to stay in a hotel or motel and when booking lodging, and two-thirds (66%) say rewards programs are important to them when they travel.
Thanks to the money saved on cheap accommodation, 43% of travelers plan to spend a lot on experiences like tours and dining out.
“A vacation doesn’t have to break the bank to be memorable,” Arrowsmith added. “There are so many ways travelers can save while on the road, opting for cheaper accommodations, using rewards programs and packing their own snacks, nothing should get in the way of the trip of a lifetime.”