Exploring America: Intrastate Travel Trends And Insights

Americans are avid travellers, both domestically and internationally. A 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 71% of US adults had travelled abroad at some point in their lives, with 26% having visited five or more countries. A 2019 survey by OnePoll and Victorinox revealed that over half of the respondents had visited 10 states or fewer, and 40% had never left the country. When it comes to vacations, a third of Americans take two to three vacations per year, while a fifth travel once a year, and only a quarter do not travel for non-business reasons.

International travel by Americans

In March 2021, approximately 3 million Americans ventured outside the country, a significant increase from the low point in late spring 2020 when only around 1 million or fewer left the US. However, international travel by Americans is still below pre-pandemic levels, as nearly 4 million travelled abroad in March 2020 and roughly 8 million in March 2019.

A Pew Research Center survey revealed that 71% of US adults have travelled internationally at some point in their lives, while around 27% have not ventured outside the country. There are notable variations in international travel habits among different demographic groups. Income is a significant factor, with 48% of those earning less than $30,000 annually having never left the country, compared to 28% of those earning between $30,000 and $79,999, and only 10% of those making $80,000 or higher.

Education level also plays a role, as Americans with lower educational attainment are less likely to have travelled abroad extensively. Race is another factor, with White Americans (75%) and Hispanic Americans (73%) more likely to have travelled internationally than Black Americans (49%). Additionally, men are more likely than women to have travelled outside the country (78% vs. 71%), and they are also more likely to have visited five or more countries (30% vs. 22%).

The most popular international destinations for Americans are in Europe, and the continent has also become an attractive alternative for American students seeking more affordable higher education options. The high cost of college in the US has driven an increasing number of students to pursue their degrees abroad, with Europe, and specifically English-speaking countries like the UK and Ireland, being a popular choice.

American students are drawn to Europe by the lower tuition fees, shorter degree programmes, and the opportunity to explore new cultures. Countries like Germany offer free public college education, even for international students, making them a desirable option. Additionally, the specialised nature of many European degree programmes appeals to students who are certain of their interests.

Despite the allure of international destinations, American travellers have faced challenges with their home country's airlines. In a global ranking of 90 major airlines, several US carriers were among the lowest-rated, with Frontier, Allegiant, and Spirit occupying three of the bottom four spots. The study assessed factors such as in-flight experience, luggage policies, reliability, and connectivity, and no American airline made it into the top 20.

Americans travelling by car

Americans love their cars, and this is reflected in the number of people who choose to travel by car when going on a trip or commuting to work. In this car-dominated culture, it is no surprise that Americans take 1.1 billion trips a day, or four trips per person, with 87% of these daily trips taking place in personal vehicles. This equates to around 4 trillion miles travelled by car per year, or 14,500 miles per person.

The car is king when it comes to commuting, with 73-76% of Americans choosing to drive their own car to work, and only 11% using public transport. This is despite the fact that Americans are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their travel choices. However, the US has a large number of cars relative to its population, with 11.2% of the world's cars, and a high average of 0.81 cars per person. This is reflected in the fact that 57% of personal vehicles are cars or station wagons, with vans or SUVs making up 21% and light trucks 19%.

The preference for cars over other modes of transport is also due to the fact that Americans commute over long distances, and many US cities are not designed to be bike-friendly. In addition, Americans feel safer in their cars than on planes or public transport, especially in the wake of the pandemic. This sense of safety also extends to their pets, with 70% of people saying they would take their pets on an RV trip.

Americans are also happy to drive long distances for road trips, with 78% not minding travelling more than 500 miles, and 29% choosing a sweet spot of 500-750 miles. This preference for driving is also reflected in the fact that 40% of Americans planned to take a road trip in 2022, with national parks being the top destination.

Americans travelling by plane

Air travel is a significant mode of transport for Americans travelling between states. In 2022, US airlines carried 853 million passengers, a 30% increase from 2021. This rise in passenger numbers is also reflected in the longer term, with a steady increase in the total number of air traffic passengers travelling to and from the US since 2006.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a notable dip in air travel, with 2021 seeing only 99 million air passengers travelling to and from the US, according to one estimate. This decrease was largely due to reduced travel by employed adults, with the percentage of Americans travelling for business dropping to 25-30% in recent years, compared to around 50% in the 1970s and 1980s.

Despite the pandemic, those who did travel by plane in 2021 still took multiple trips, with the average number of flights they took being 3.6. This suggests that once people feel safe to travel, they are likely to resume their normal travel routines.

Looking at the frequency of air travel, a 2019 survey found that 25% of Americans travel by air a few times a year for personal reasons.

Americans travelling domestically

Domestic travel within the United States is a significant aspect of the country's tourism industry. In the period between July 2022 and June 2023, the industry witnessed a notable recovery to pre-pandemic levels. During this time, around a third of Americans took two to three vacations, while about a quarter did not travel for non-business reasons. The domestic leisure travel sector has consistently accounted for a large portion of travel spending within the country. In 2021, for example, total direct travel spending by domestic leisure travellers in the US amounted to $751 billion.

Several factors influence Americans' domestic travel habits and preferences. Income plays a significant role, with higher-income individuals being more likely to travel and visit multiple destinations. Education level also impacts travel frequency, as those with lower educational attainment tend to travel less internationally. Additionally, gender differences exist, with women being more likely than men to have never travelled outside the country. However, men are more likely to have visited five or more countries.

Racial demographics also contribute to varying travel patterns, as White Americans are more likely to have travelled internationally than Black or Hispanic Americans. Despite these disparities, a substantial number of Americans do express a desire to travel more, with 85% enjoying new experiences and 60% having a list of places they wish to visit. However, financial constraints, time availability, and feelings of unpreparedness remain the primary barriers to more frequent travel.

The mode of transportation used for domestic travel in the US is predominantly personal vehicles. On average, Americans take 1.1 billion trips per day, amounting to approximately 4 trillion miles travelled annually. This equates to about 1,500 trips and 14,500 miles per person per year. Friday is the day with the highest number of daily trips, while Sunday sees the fewest. These insights provide a snapshot of Americans' domestic travel behaviour and preferences.

Americans travelling internationally

While sources do not provide information on how many Americans travel between states on average, a survey conducted by the travel luggage provider Victorinox revealed that 54% of 2,000 Americans surveyed across the country have visited 10 states or fewer.

Americans are gradually returning to international travel, although the number of US citizens travelling abroad remains below pre-pandemic levels. In March 2021, around 3 million Americans travelled outside of the country, compared to nearly 4 million in March 2020 and roughly 8 million in March 2019. A June 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 71% of US adults have travelled internationally at some point in their lives, with 19% having visited only one foreign country and 11% having been to 10 or more countries.

In 2023, the number of US citizens travelling overseas increased by over 10 million compared to the previous year. However, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant drop in international travel in 2020, with less than 10 million Americans travelling abroad.

Demographic factors play a significant role in international travel among Americans. Income is a key factor, with 48% of those earning less than $30,000 a year not having left the country, compared to 28% of those earning between $30,000 and $79,999, and only 10% of those earning $80,000 or more. Higher-income individuals are also more likely to have visited multiple countries.

Education level is another factor influencing international travel. 37% of Americans with some college education or less have not travelled abroad, compared to only 7% of college graduates. College graduates are also more likely to have visited multiple countries, with a quarter having been to 10 or more.

Race is another factor, with White Americans (75%) and Hispanic Americans (73%) more likely to have travelled internationally than Black Americans (49%). White Americans are also more likely to have visited five or more countries (30%) than Black (13%) or Hispanic (15%) Americans.

Despite the impact of demographic factors, a majority of Americans express a desire to travel internationally. In a survey, 85% of respondents stated that they enjoy experiencing new things, and 76% indicated a desire to travel more. However, financial constraints, lack of time, and feeling unprepared are significant barriers for many.

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