U.S. Travel Survey Reveals Road Trips Will Reign Supreme

More than one in four U.S. adults say travel is among the activities they are excited to return to when experts sound the all clear on COVID-19 restrictions. But will they be ready to go on Day One? A survey by Mower reveals that 60 days will pass before a majority of Americans will feel comfortable returning to most travel-related activities.

Americans will be more inclined to take the wheel than take to the skies.

It will be Day 30 before half of Americans anticipate feeling comfortable taking a vacation by car and Day 60 before half will fly in a plane, Only 42% are inclined to travel internationally by Day 60, and 22% say they have never or would never venture beyond the U.S.

Hotels will regain trust sooner than privately-owned vacation rentals.

Only one in five Americans would be comfortable staying either in a hotel or privately-owned vacation rental on Day One. By Day 30, a gap emerges between the two choices and by Day 60, respondents are 23% more likely to check in to a hotel than a privately-owned rental.

They'll bet on a day at the beach vs. a night at the casino.

One in four Americans would head to the beach on Day One; by Day 60, almost three in four would be comfortable doing so. Theme parks, spas and casinos will feel more like a gamble, with only one in seven Americans comfortable returning on Day 1 and roughly half by Day 60.

Mower polled a random sampling of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+ regarding their comfort level returning to various common activities when COVID-19 restrictions ease. The online nationwide survey was conducted April 8-10, 2020. Responses were obtained using Dynata, a research panel provider. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.