It’s official, folks. The holiday season is in full swing! While trends shift over time, many Americans get ready to hit the road or catch a flight to spend time with loved ones this time of year. And 2025 is no exception, as people across the country prepare for holiday travel. But when you take a closer look, we can see the distinct ways Americans embrace (or reject) travel across the 50 states.
To get a better idea of what Americans have planned this year, Upgraded Points conducted a holiday travel survey of nearly 2,400 U.S. adults. Here’s what they found!
States With Most (and Least) Holiday Travel
Across the country, the survey revealed a contrast in holiday travel plans across different states. Ohio ranked as the top state for residents who said they usually travel for the holidays, to someone else’s home or a vacation destination. Connecticut ranked second, while Texas followed shortly behind.
Of the states with residents most likely to stay home, Nevada tops the list, followed by Utah and Hawaii.
Top States for Holiday Travel (By Share of Those Who Usually Travel):
- Ohio — 62.0% travel
- Connecticut — 58.0%
- Texas — 56.1%
- Iowa — 54.0% (tie)
- Washington — 54.0% (tie)
- Virginia — 53.7%
- Nebraska — 52.9%
- South Dakota — 52.6%
- California — 50.0% (tie)
- New York — 50.0% (tie)
Most Likely States to Stay Home:
- Nevada — 72.7% stay home
- Utah — 71.2%
- Hawaii — 68.1%
- Missouri — 66.0% (tie)
- Oklahoma — 66.0% (tie)
- Michigan — 65.3%
- Idaho — 64.0%
- Pennsylvania — 63.6%
- Kansas — 63.5%
- Indiana — 63.3%
Most Trips and Holiday Travel Spending by State
In addition, the survey looked into states with residents taking the most trips this holiday season.
In West Virginia, 28% of respondents plan on taking three or more trips this season, followed by Connecticut (26%) and Delaware (23.9%). Coloradans expected to spend the most on holiday travel this year, with $2,487 as the average anticipated cost. Virginia came in second place with Texas in third, at $1,120 and $1,074 expected spends respectively.
Photo by Micah & Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
Holiday 2025 Travel Patterns
While travel is still common during the holidays in the U.S., most Americans prefer to stay close to home. The survey revealed that 56% of respondents usually celebrate where they live, with 34% visiting someone else’s home and 9% using the holiday season to take a vacation. Across any holiday travel plans for 2025, nearly 1 in 3 respondents plan to cross state lines.
The distance traveled also depends on the specific holiday, with 28% of Americans traveling more than 50 miles for Thanksgiving, 35% for Christmas, and 18% to celebrate the new year. Christmas was the standout in terms of travel distance, with 1 in 10 Americans planning to travel more than 500 miles and 11% expecting to spend more than 10 hours in transit to get to and from their destination.
The survey found that most Americans planning holiday travel will drive (79% for Thanksgiving, 73% for Christmas, and 64% for New Year’s). About 26% of U.S. adults, or around 67 million people, plan to fly at least once over the holiday season.
Holiday Travel Distance by State
When breaking down travel trends by state, the survey also examined which residents expect the most lengthy treks. Colorado ranked highest, with nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.5%) traveling more than 500 miles. Arizona ranked second, and Missouri ranked third.
Upgraded Points notes that long-haul travel is most common among Western states, with New Mexico and California also joining the top 10. Though there are some exceptions, with East Coast states like Massachusetts and Virginia also hitting the top 10 for total mileage. Delaware was another notable state, boasting the most border-crossing travelers. The survey found that 46% of Delaware residents planned to leave the state to celebrate the holidays.
Top States for Long-Distance Holiday Travel
- Colorado — 24.5% traveling more than 500 miles
- Arizona — 20.8%
- Missouri — 19.2%
- Massachusetts — 18.0%
- New Mexico — 17.0%
- Virginia — 16.7% (tie)
- California — 16.7% (tie)
- Kentucky — 14.8%
- Florida — 14.3% (tie)
- Oregon — 14.3% (tie)
Photo by Honey Fangs on Unsplash
Factors Influencing Holiday Travel in 2025
Issues impacting everyday Americans today will ultimately affect travel plans this year. Through inquiries examining pressures shaping American travel plans, more than 1 in 5 respondents (21%) said they are skipping at least one holiday trip this year for financial reasons. Additionally, 19% said they are cutting back on gift spending so they can travel.
Almost half (44%) of respondents said they feel obligated to travel for the holidays, while 42% said they would prefer to spend the time and money on a holiday vacation over a family visit. For some respondents, work obligations influenced travel decisions, with 12% stating that their job is inhibiting holiday travel in 2025.
Holiday Travel in 2025: The Bottom Line
In the study’s analysis, Upgraded Points concludes with its “Bottom Line” on 2025 holiday travel trends:
“These insights reveal that while Americans value holiday connection, many are navigating competing financial, professional, and emotional pressures when deciding whether to go the distance.”
Like anything else, the shifts in modern American life impact even our most longstanding traditions. Regardless, the holidays remain one of the most common times to travel in the U.S. No matter what you plan to do this year, the team at Road Trips for Families wishes you a safe, jolly, and restful holiday season!
Visit Upgraded Points for the full study analysis, charts, and methodology.
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About the Author: Keegan Williams is a freelance editor and writer based in Los Angeles. They have written for publications including HuffPost, LGBTQ Nation, and High Times. Keegan has a passion for fitness. They are also immersed in LA’s underground dance scene. Catch them around town busting a move on the dance floor and working their magic behind the decks, primarily DJing percussive, groovy, high-energy techno alongside other electronic subgenres.
You can find them at keeganmwilliams.com or on Instagram @promwitch.
