As daylight grows longer, the school year nears its end, and the allure of summer beckons, a seemingly simple question arises in households across the country: What are we doing for vacation this year?
Yet behind that question lies a deeper, more complex narrative—one that speaks volumes about consumer confidence, economic pressures, cultural shifts, and even federal policy decisions.
Grounded in a nationally representative public opinion survey conducted via the SSRS Opinion Panel, a rigorous, probability-based panel, the 2025 SSRS Summer Travel Report offers an evidence-rich look at how Americans are approaching their summer vacation plans in 2025. Who’s traveling? Who’s staying closer to home? And perhaps most telling—why? Our findings go beyond surface-level preferences to uncover the underlying drivers shaping summer decisions, from inflation concerns and evolving work norms to recent federal actions affecting travel costs and access.
This isn’t just about beach days and bucket lists. Summer travel behavior is a window into the national mood and a key indicator of economic momentum. With travel and tourism comprising approximately 3% of U.S. GDP and contributing $2.3 trillion to the economy in 2022 (International Trade Administration, 2023), even subtle shifts in vacation planning can signal broader trends with significant implications for industries ranging from hospitality and retail to transportation and public policy.
Whether you’re a tourism strategist, policymaker, investor, or anyone keeping a pulse on consumer behavior, this article offers insights you can’t afford to miss. Read on as we unpack the data and surface the stories behind the statistics.
Key Findings from the 2025 Summer Travel Report
- Summer travel is a priority for many, but not a given.
Three in four Americans say they plan to travel this summer, with most eyeing domestic destinations—60% plan to travel out of state and 54% within their home state, both with overnight stays. Many are planning multiple getaways. Yet, this enthusiasm is layered with uncertainty: a meaningful share remains undecided about their plans, especially for in state trips. While travel is top of mind, it’s being approached with flexibility and caution, underscoring how personal and external factors are influencing decision-making in real time. - Americans are pulling back on international travel compared to a ‘typical’ summer.
While domestic travel is more consistent with what Americans report doing in a ‘typical’ summer, international travel is noticeably down. When asked to compare their plans this year with their usual summer routines, nearly half (45%) of Americans said they plan to travel internationally less than they typically do. This signals continued unease around global travel, driven in part by economic pressures, political uncertainty, and shifting personal priorities. - Travelers are seeking nature, connection, and new experiences.
Summer plans aren’t just about getting away, they’re about how people want to spend their time. Americans are prioritizing outdoor experiences (77%), quality time with loved ones (71%), and opportunities to try something new (61%). These preferences reflect a desire for travel that feels meaningful, rejuvenating, and personally enriching—a trend that’s likely to influence tourism and hospitality offerings in the months ahead. - The economy is shaping how and where people go.
Financial concerns are influencing travel behavior. More than four in 10 Americans say their plans have been affected by the current state of the economy (42%) or fears of a potential recession (41%). About half of summer travelers say they’re opting for shorter or more affordable trips, and nearly a third (30%) say they might cancel their plans altogether. These insights echo findings from our Economic Attitudes Tracker, which shows that consumers are tightening their budgets amid continued economic uncertainty. - Political uncertainty is creating hesitation.
What’s happening in Washington is also shaping the nation’s travel patterns. Nearly half (46%) of Americans say they’re uneasy about traveling internationally due to the current political climate, and 42% say uncertainty around federal government actions is making it difficult to plan ahead. This lack of confidence is especially relevant for travel brands, planners, and policymakers aiming to understand how macro-level events influence personal decision-making.
Conclusion: A Summer of Cautious Optimism
Americans are heading into the 2025 summer travel season with a blend of enthusiasm and restraint. While the desire to connect, explore, and unwind remains strong, the realities of political uncertainty and economic anxiety are tempering plans for many. Travelers are recalibrating—choosing shorter or more affordable getaways, postponing decisions, or pulling back on international travel altogether.
These trends reflect more than just personal preference; they speak to broader shifts in consumer confidence and behavior. As our data show, the mood of the country, shaped by what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and the trajectory of the economy, is casting a shadow over how Americans plan and prioritize their leisure time this summer.
For industries connected to travel, tourism, hospitality, and consumer spending, these insights offer both a cautionary tale and a strategic opportunity. Understanding where people are willing to spend—and what’s holding them back—will be essential for meeting demand in this complex moment.
At SSRS, we’re proud to provide timely, data-driven insights that help decision-makers navigate evolving public sentiment. Our nationally representative, probability-based SSRS Opinion Panel allows us to track consequential trends as they unfold, ensuring our clients are always one step ahead.
As summer unfolds, we’ll continue to monitor how Americans adapt, plan, and pursue leisure in a world that feels anything but predictable. Because understanding where the public stands today is the first step toward anticipating where we’re headed tomorrow.
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Methodology
This study was conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Data collection was conducted from April 18 – April 21, 2025 among a sample of 1,031 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n=1,001) and telephone (n=30) and administered in English (n=1,005) and Spanish (n=26). The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 or older.
