Road Trip Recession

Methodology: This study is based on a survey of 3,002 U.S. families conducted in May 2026. Respondents were asked to identify the best family-friendly budget road trips within their own state, taking into account factors such as affordability, scenery, family activities, driving distance, and overall summer appeal. The survey was carried out online using a geographically representative panel, balanced by age, gender, household income, and region. Results were weighted where necessary to reflect U.S. population benchmarks. Data quality checks included bot detection, geo-verification, speeding checks, and manual review of responses.