91% of Americans Plan to Travel in 2026

Experiences Beat Stuff for Two-Thirds of US

Americans are done filling closets and garages. A new national survey shows that heading into 2026, two-thirds of the country plans to spend money on travel and experiences instead of material goods.

The shift is showing up in everything from how people plan vacations to how they use hotel loyalty programs.

And with America’s 250th birthday and Route 66’s centennial both happening next year, there’s plenty of reason to hit the road.

67% Choose Travel Over Buying Things

A November 2025 survey by The Harris Poll found that 67% of Americans plan to prioritize experiences like travel over material purchases in 2026.

The poll, conducted for Marriott Bonvoy, surveyed 2,090 adults across the country. The results point to a broader cultural shift away from accumulating possessions and toward collecting memories.

For many, the change reflects a desire to focus on what feels meaningful rather than what sits in a shopping cart.

91% of Americans Plan Trips Next Year

The same survey found that 91% of Americans plan to travel in 2026. Nearly half said they want to travel more than they did in 2025.

That level of intent is remarkably high, especially given ongoing concerns about inflation and rising costs. It suggests that for most people, vacations have moved from nice-to-have to non-negotiable.

Travel has become a priority that Americans are unwilling to sacrifice.

Rest and Recharge Tops the Wishlist

When asked what they value most about travel, 57% of respondents said the chance to rest and recharge. Adventure, exploration, and sightseeing all ranked lower.

The finding reflects a population that feels stretched thin by daily life and sees vacations as essential recovery time. People are not just looking to go somewhere new.

They are looking to slow down and breathe.

Family Time Drives Most Travel Plans

More than half of Americans, 55%, said they want to spend more quality time with loved ones through travel in 2026. The desire for connection is shaping where and how people plan trips.

Multi-generational vacations and reunions are on the rise.

For many families, a shared trip has become more valuable than individual gifts or separate outings.

Millennials Would Skip Dining Out for Vacations

Millennials between 29 and 44 years old showed the strongest commitment to travel in the survey. A striking 70% said they would rather give up dining out for six months than give up a vacation.

That willingness to sacrifice other pleasures shows just how central travel has become to this generation’s sense of well-being and identity. Restaurants can wait.

The trip cannot.

Road Trips and Weekend Getaways Lead

When it comes to what kind of travel people want, domestic road trips and local weekend getaways each ranked as top choices for 44% of respondents.

The appeal is clear: flexibility, lower cost, and the freedom to set your own pace. You do not need to book flights or clear customs.

You just need a car and a destination. For many Americans, the open road still holds a special pull.

America’s 250th Birthday Draws Crowds

July 4, 2026, marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington are planning major celebrations with parades, fireworks, and historical events.

The semiquincentennial, called America250, is expected to bring record crowds to historic sites along the Eastern Seaboard. Visit Philadelphia projects up to $1.6 billion in additional visitor spending next year.

Route 66 Turns 100 Next Year

The iconic highway that runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica celebrates its centennial in 2026. Communities along the route are planning festivals, commemorations, and special events.

New attractions like the Route 66 Neon Park in Missouri are already drawing visitors. For road trip lovers, there may be no better year to drive the Main Street of America.

Food Tourism Pulls Nearly Half of Travelers

The survey found that 46% of Americans look forward to trying new restaurants and local food when they travel. Culinary experiences have become a major factor in choosing destinations.

People want to eat where the locals eat and taste regional specialties they cannot get at home. A good meal is no longer a side benefit of travel.

It is often the main event.

Half of Americans Use Hotel Loyalty Programs

More than 52% of Americans are now enrolled in at least one hotel loyalty program. These memberships have grown rapidly, up 14.5% year over year in 2024 alone.

Programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt let travelers earn points toward free nights and upgrades.

For cost-conscious travelers, loyalty programs have become essential tools for making trips affordable.

Loyalty Perks Help Fund the Dream

Eight in ten loyalty program members say these programs make it easier to turn travel dreams into reality. Benefits like free stays, room upgrades, and late checkout help stretch budgets further.

Nearly half of members cite saving money as the biggest advantage of belonging.

In a year when Americans are choosing experiences over stuff, those accumulated points may be what makes the difference between staying home and hitting the road.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

Read more from this brand:

• 9 in 10 Americans Plan to Travel in 2026 But Most Are Staying Home
• Americans Say AI Travel Planners and Set-Jetting Are Still Overhyped in 2026
• Best September orchard tours for fresh apples