From gasoline to groceries, Americans are finding that their money simply does not go as far as it used to—especially when it comes to traveling.
This affordability crisis is leading to many people deciding to recalibrate their upcoming summer travel plans in search of better bang for their buck.
One of the key ways Americans are trying to save this summer: staying closer to home.
It’s being called the “Stay Here Summer” by Expedia Group, which includes the Expedia brand, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.
According to Expedia’s 2026 summer report, Americans still have a hunger to travel but they have less of an appetite for the high costs associated with long-distance trips.
“This summer, travelers aren’t traveling less, they’re traveling differently,” the Expedia report reads.
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Instead of long-haul trips and international destinations, interest in domestic travel is peaking, according to third-party research that scoured the internet for mentions about summer travel planning. According to Expedia’s research, about 63% of U.S. travelers are planning domestic trips this summer travel season.
Expedia says searches for beaches in California and Florida, rather than tropical locales, are up by about 50%. Other domestic hotspots this year include cities located near National Parks, including near Zion and Mount Rainier National Parks.
Social media research also shows increased interest in road-tripping Route 66, the famed roadway that helped shape the American landscape and western culture along its more-than 2,000 miles of pavement. The historic highway is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and interest in driving a portion of it is particularly high, especially as the nation celebrates its own milestone birthday: 250 years.
“Hotel hopping,” in which travelers book multiple stays at different locations along a set route, is also having a moment, Expedia Group said.
“Hotel hopping this summer reflects a desire for flexibility, experience stacking, and value — with travelers building trips that include different neighborhoods, price points, or moods,” the report reads.
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But it’s not just hotel booking sites noticing a shift in consumer travel habits.
Americans are going old school for summer travel plans
Campspot, an online booking platform for RVs, tent camping and glamor campgrounds, says Americans are noticeably shifting away from “complex, high-cost vacations” in favor of simpler and more affordable getaways that they can get to by driving.
“New data suggests travelers are ‘dusting off’ existing gear and setups … as they prioritize lower-cost, more flexible trips that reduce planning pressure and keep travel closer to home,” a spokesperson for Campspot said.
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Campspot’s Summer Travel Trend report shows significant drops in air travel for vacationing families this summer, with 79% of Americans who participated in its survey reporting they have intentionally reduced air travel in 2026. More than half of those surveyed (60%) said they were avoiding flying altogether if/when possible.
The summer travel report also echoes Expedia’s findings, which shows a significant shift in traveler intentions, as Americans opt for exploring their own country versus traveling abroad.
“Today’s travelers aren’t giving up on vacations, but they are buckling under the logistical and financial weight of pulling them off,” Campspot writes in its report.
47% say current events and travel uncertainty are actively influencing their summer 2026 plans. 68% cite higher travel costs as the #1 disruptor shaping their vacation decisions this year.
Campspot’s 2026 Summer Trend Report
Campspot says road-trips and camping trips tend to be easier to plan and more affordable with less unpredictable costs—especially for those who already own their own gear.
“In 2026, travelers are skipping the logistical gymnastics, dusting off the gear they already own, and turning to campgrounds to rediscover the simple, low-stress joy of the outdoors,” Campspot wrote.
Both Expedia and Campspot research shows that Americans still want to get out of the house and experience what the world has to offer, but this year’s summer travel season will look a bit different than years’ past as they opt to stay closer to home in an effort to maximize their dollar.
