With summer travel costs running about 27% higher year over year, new polling finds 32% of Americans with plans say they would reconsider—or potentially cancel—if prices keep climbing. Despite the squeeze, most still intend to travel the same or more than last
By the time Memorial Day weekend travel ends, many Americans will have already felt it: the trip they planned can still change at the checkout counter.
New polling points to a worrying edge in that hesitation. Some 32% of Americans who say they have summer travel plans told a survey they will reconsider their trips if prices keep rising. It comes as summer travel costs are about 27% higher year-over-year. even with Americans’ appetite for travel showing few signs of a major slowdown so far.
The survey data also show just how hard it is to get people to back away—at least right now. Overall, 71% of respondents with plans said they intend to travel about the same as last summer or more. That figure stands out because the jump in costs is tied to rising fuel costs. with soaring gas prices part of the broader pressure.
When the poll drills into who’s traveling, 48% said they are planning to travel this summer either within or outside the U.S. for work or pleasure (or both). Of that group, most plans are domestic: 14% said they would travel outside the country for business or personal reasons.
Among those sticking with travel, the breakdown is stark. Twenty-five percent said they will travel more than last summer, 46% said they will travel about the same, and 19% said they planned to travel less.
For the people choosing to cut back, cost is the most common reason. Thirty percent cited higher airfare prices. Another 39% pointed to economic insecurity. Only 3% specifically mentioned the potential of jet fuel shortages, while 4% cited safety.
For travelers who say they’re going more—or staying steady—the pressure shows up in choices rather than cancellations. Twenty-six percent said they plan to change their mode of travel, such as driving instead of flying. Twenty-eight percent said they are choosing a cheaper destination or shortening the length of their trips. and 26% said they were cutting back on activities. Yet 38% said they weren’t making any changes to spend less.
Money isn’t just a talk point for this group. Sixty-eight percent of Americans with summer travel plans said they are spending the same amount or even more money on travel this summer, while 24% said they would spend less.
The poll’s sharpest warning comes in the question of what happens if prices keep climbing. If airfare and gasoline prices continue to rise, 32% said they would consider canceling their plans. Another 33% said they wouldn’t cancel but would modify their plans. and 28% said they wouldn’t consider canceling even if prices continue to rise.
Taken together, the message is clear: Americans have not reached the breaking point yet, but a meaningful share is standing on the edge of it. The wider picture still suggests resilience for now, even as the survey flags the possibility that demand could shift if the cost spiral keeps going.
summer travel prices Americans reconsider travel airfares higher gas prices YouGov poll Points Path Memorial Day weekend travel
No way ppl should be paying these gas prices.
27% higher and people are STILL going? That’s wild. I feel like this is just airlines and hotels trying to squeeze everyone, because gas always gets blamed.
So 32% are gonna reconsider… but 71% are still traveling? That math feels like they’re trying to scare us. Also I didn’t think fuel costs even mattered for airfare that much? Might be why they’re saying people are cutting back on flights.
Airfare and “economic insecurity” like ok but what else is new. I swear every year summer trip prices go up right when you actually plan stuff. And 48% traveling for work/pleasure sounds like a lot… maybe that’s why they can keep raising prices because ppl just keep paying at checkout anyway.