More than three in five Americans feel the best trips are spontaneous trips.
That’s according to a new survey of 2,045 adults with travel plans this year, where 67% enjoy trips more if they happen on a whim.
One in five (22%) even base their travel on personal preference 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 go, 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, more than three in four (78%) travelers prefer to travel with other people, while almost one in three (28%) are planning to travel with pets.
And typical “travel season” may be a thing of the past — almost half of Americans (47%) are equally likely to travel during peak seasons, like the summer and holidays, as they are during the off-season or weekdays.
And 29% noted they even prefer to travel during those quieter times.
Visiting family and friends (53%), needing a break from life (50%) and the desire to explore a new city (35%) are some of the top reasons for planned trips.
And these aren’t just quick trips down the road, as 70% are planning to travel more than three hours from their hometown.
On average, travelers feel excited (74%), joyful (50%) and energized (49%) at the start of a trip and relaxed (38%) by the time they’re ready to head home.
“Taking a last-minute getaway is a great way to add some joy into your life,” said Julie Arrowsmith, President and Interim CEO of Motel 6. “For those seeking a new adventure this summer, they can rest easy knowing that we are here to provide a clean, comfortable and affordable place to stay so travelers can spend more on the actual experiences and events that brought them to the destination.”
More than two in five (44%) say they are changing up their travel experiences this year. Of those respondents, 57% will be traveling to a new destination.
Another 34% plan to hit 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 during the off-season and avoiding weekend travel (33%) and bringing their own snacks instead of purchasing them (32%) on the road.
Nearly one in three (30%) are opting for more budget-friendly lodging and others are avoiding tourist hotspots in favor of a more local experience (24%).
Of those traveling this year, nearly half (49%) plan to stay at a hotel or motel and when booking accommodations, and two-thirds (66%) say rewards programs are important to them when traveling.
Thanks to the money saved on budget-friendly lodging, 43% of travelers are planning to spend big on experiences like tours and dining out.
