Holiday travel in 2025 is shaping up to be road-trip-heavy, with nearly half of drivers planning to reach loved ones by car rather than flying or taking the train. The drives may be long and sometimes tiring, but most people still say it’s the simplest, most flexible way to travel during the busiest season of the year.
A new survey of 2,000 American drivers shows that nearly half choose to drive over other modes of travel. And honestly? It makes sense. Between high travel costs, crowded airports, and unpredictable winter weather, hopping in the car feels like the most manageable way to get home, even if it means spending hours behind the wheel.
We’re Spending A Lot of Time on the Road This Season
Drivers are expected to log around 13 hours of holiday drive time between November and January. For some, it’s far more one in ten will spend over 30 hours in the car this holiday season. But despite the long days and occasional exhaustion, most people say the drive is worth it.
Why People Are Choosing to Drive Instead of Fly
According to the survey, Americans aren’t just driving because they have to — they’re doing it because it feels right:
-
53% say driving is the most affordable way to travel right now
-
50% think it’s more comfortable than flying
-
43% like having the freedom and flexibility of their own car
-
37% prefer driving because it’s easier to transport gifts
And even though the trip itself can be tiring — with 29% relieved when it’s over — most people say there’s nothing that compares to arriving and seeing the people they love.
Car Trouble Can Still Get in the Way
Of course, road trips come with their own stress. Nearly one in three drivers say they’ve had a holiday trip thrown off by car issues, whether they ended up delayed, calling a tow truck, or missing part of a celebration.
Even so, most people are doing what they can to avoid those surprises. 62% get their car serviced ahead of time, but 72% admit they’ve gone past the recommended mileage for an oil change, especially around the busy holidays.
Getting Ready for the Big Drive
Most drivers pack up the night before and agree that early morning is the best time to hit the road — that quiet stretch of sunrise when traffic is light, and everything feels a little softer. And, in true holiday-spirit fashion, people go the extra mile (literally) for the people they love:
-
The average person has driven 408 miles to see someone for the holidays
-
They’ll drive 172 miles out of their way just to pick someone up
-
And 1 in 20 say they’d happily drive 700+ miles if it meant being together
At the End of the Day, It’s About the People We’re Driving Toward
Road trips might feel long, messy, and sometimes stressful, but they’re also where the memories hide. The car snacks, the conversations, the playlists, the kids falling asleep in the backseat. That’s why 71% say being with family and friends is what brings them the most joy this time of year.
And if the road is what gets us there? Most of us are willing to take it.