How Far Do Americans Travel for the Holidays? [2025 Data Study]

Holiday travel can feel like a moving target: Prices spike, plans change, and everyone swears this is the year they’ll “keep it simple.” In that vein, we asked nearly 2,400 U.S. adults exactly how they’re traveling between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in 2025: how far they’ll go, how long they’ll spend in transit, which modes they’ll use, and what’s pushing them to go (or stay). 

Where Holiday Travel Is (And Isn’t) Happening Most

Holiday travel isn’t distributed evenly across the map. Based on the share of residents who say they usually travel for the holidays (to someone else’s home or a vacation destination), a few states clearly stand out.

Top states for holiday travel (by share of those who usually travel):

1. Ohio — 62.0% travel
2. Connecticut — 58.0%
3. Texas — 56.1%
4. Iowa — 54.0% (tie)
5. Washington — 54.0% (tie)
6. Virginia — 53.7%
7. Nebraska — 52.9%
8. South Dakota — 52.6%
9. California — 50.0% (tie)
10. New York — 50.0% (tie)

States most likely to stay home:

1. Nevada — 72.7% stay home
2. Utah — 71.2%
3. Hawaii — 68.1%
4. Missouri — 66.0% (tie)
5. Oklahoma — 66.0% (tie)
6. Michigan — 65.3%
7. Idaho — 64.0%
8. Pennsylvania — 63.6%
9. Kansas — 63.5%
10. Indiana — 63.3%

Beyond who’s traveling versus staying home, how often people go and how much they plan to spend also stand out. Some states have far more residents planning 3 or more trips than the roughly 16% national average, and a few are budgeting the most for holiday travel.

States taking the most trips this holiday season

• West Virginia — 28% plan on taking 3 or more trips this season
• Connecticut — 26%
• Delaware — 23.9%

States spending the most on holiday travel this year

• Colorado — $2,487 average anticipated spend
• Virginia — $1,120
• Texas — $1,074

Holiday Travel Patterns in 2025

Holiday travel is back in full swing, but most Americans still prefer to stay close to home. Of survey respondents, 56% say they usually celebrate where they live, while 34% visit someone else’s home, and 9% turn the holidays into a vacation getaway. Still, plenty of travelers are hitting the road (or sky): Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) plan to cross state lines this season.

Distance depends on the celebration, with 28% of Americans traveling more than 50 miles for Thanksgiving this year, 35% doing so for Christmas, and 18% for New Year’s. More than 1 in 5 Americans (22%) take regional trips between 51 and 500 miles for Thanksgiving — the most of any holiday. While New Year’s celebrations are typically closer to home, Christmas stands out for distance: 1 in 10 Americans plan to travel over 500 miles, and 11% expect to spend more than 10 hours in transit to get there and back.

When it comes to getting around, the road still dominates. Most American holiday travelers drive, including 79% for Thanksgiving, 73% for Christmas, and 64% for New Year’s. Air travel remains less common overall, but it is still significant. About 26% of U.S. adults — roughly 67 million people — plan to take at least 1 flight this holiday season.

Meanwhile, 14% of Americans say they’re choosing to drive specifically to avoid the stress of airports and air travel. Most others who drive cite different reasons, but it’s clear that airport fatigue is still a factor shaping travel choices this year.

Holiday travel doesn’t come cheap. Nearly 30% of Americans plan to spend over $1,000 on transportation and lodging this season, revealing how quickly costs can add up once airfare, hotels, and gas are factored in.

The States Logging the Most Miles This Christmas

Colorado tops the list for long-distance holiday travel. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.5%) will journey 500 miles or more, and about 20% expect to spend 10+ hours getting to their destination — the highest share in the country.

Top States for Long-Distance Holiday Travel

1. Colorado — 24.5% traveling 500+ miles
2. Arizona — 20.8%
3. Missouri — 19.2%
4. Massachusetts — 18.0%
5. New Mexico — 17.0%
6. Virginia — 16.7% (tie)
7. California — 16.7% (tie)
8. Kentucky — 14.8%
9. Florida — 14.3% (tie)
10. Oregon — 14.3% (tie)

Long-haul travel is most common in the West, as Arizona, New Mexico, and California all rank among the top states for extended trips. Here, families are often spread across larger distances, and there are fewer neighboring metro hubs. Travelers in these regions are more likely to log serious miles to reunite for the holidays.

On the East Coast, Massachusetts and Virginia also rank high for long-distance travel, showing that cross-country journeys aren’t limited to western states. And though it doesn’t break into the top 10 for total mileage, Delaware stands out for border-crossing travelers: 46% of residents plan to leave the state for their holiday celebrations.

The Factors Influencing Holiday Travel Decisions

Holiday travel decisions aren’t just about where to go. They’re often shaped by financial realities, work schedules, and family expectations. This year, those pressures are weighing heavily on many Americans.

Cost is the biggest barrier to travel. More than 1 in 5 Americans (21%) say they’re skipping at least 1 holiday trip this year due to financial reasons. Another 19% admit they’re cutting back on gifts to make travel possible. This tradeoff demonstrates just how meaningful time away from home has become.

For others, the pull between obligation and personal preference defines their plans. Nearly half of Americans (44%) say they feel obligated to travel for the holidays, even if they’d rather stay put. Meanwhile, 42% would prefer to spend that same time and money on a vacation instead of visiting family, highlighting the growing tension between tradition and rest.

Work commitments also play a role. Roughly 1 in 8 Americans (12%) say their job is keeping them from traveling this year. Limited PTO, demanding schedules, seasonal obligations, and year-end workloads may keep American workers local.

Methodology 

This study was conducted by Upgraded Points in September 2025 using an online survey of 2,370 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, balanced by state and gender. Respondents were asked about their typical holiday travel behaviors and plans for the 2025 season, including distance, mode of transportation, budget, and the financial or personal factors influencing those decisions.

Additional state-level insights were analyzed using localized survey data to calculate the share of residents reporting each behavior or preference. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth.

Final Thoughts

For many Americans, holiday travel is about more than miles; it’s about balancing cost, convenience, and connection. While most travelers stay within driving distance, millions are still crossing state lines or even the country to spend time with loved ones. But this year, rising costs, work commitments, and family expectations are reshaping how and when people choose to travel.

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