Gas Prices Squash or
Shorten Trips for Two-Thirds of U.S. Adults Planning Summer Road Travel
- Rand McNally survey reveals road trip plans and preferred celebrity and
politician road trip companions -
SKOKIE, Ill., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- As Memorial Day and the summer travel
season approach, most Americans see their gas tanks as half empty.
Two in three U.S. adults (66%) who plan to take a road trip this summer say
rising gas prices have changed their travel plans. About three in five (57%)
now plan to take a trip for a shorter amount of time and/or distance. One in
ten (10%) have cancelled or will cancel trips altogether.
These are some of the results of Rand McNally's annual Great American Road
Trip Survey. Harris Interactive conducted the survey of 2,030 U.S. adults from
April 29 to May 1, 2008.
Road Trip Plans and Preferences
Despite their plans to take shorter trips, Americans this summer will
continue their love affair with the open road. Three in four adults (75%) are
at least somewhat likely to take a road trip this summer, and about three in
ten (29%) say they are very likely. Those who intend to take a trip say their
trips will last an average of about five days. Eighty-five percent will take
trips of a week or less.
A number of factors -- including concerns about airline industry turbulence
-- would drive travelers to take road trips this summer. Overall, one-quarter
of adults (25%) say they would be more likely to take a road trip if there is
an increase in the cost of other modes of transportation, such as airfare
(24%). In addition, airline concerns, such as increases in flight cancellations
(15%) and delays (13%), would make about three in ten adults (28%) more likely
to take road trips.
When it comes to picking a destination, Americans head for the water.
Overall, one in four adults (25%) select a beach or lake getaway as their ideal
road trip destination. Waterside settings beat out places such as amusement
parks (10%), mountain getaways (8%) and national or state parks (8%) for the
top spot.
"In recent years, we've seen rising fuel prices and airline-related
concerns prompt travelers to take shorter trips," said Rand McNally
Editorial Director Laurie Borman. "Even so, the American tradition of the
summer road trip remains strong, with three-quarters of adults at least
somewhat likely to take a summer road trip in 2008."
On the Lighter Side ...
Recent polls have John McCain and either Democratic candidate in a dead heat
for the presidential election. Among those who want to take a road trip with a
presidential candidate, however, more than three in five adults (61%) select a
Democrat: One in three (33%) would choose to travel with Barack Obama, and 28%
opt for Hillary Clinton. Twenty-four percent say they would want to take a road
trip with John McCain, and 8% select Ron Paul. Ralph Nader takes home 3% of the
vote.
The Democratic primary contest still may be too close to call, but Americans
clearly think a few days in the car with one candidate would be too close for
comfort. Roughly twice as many adults (31%) pick Clinton as the presidential
hopeful with whom they least want to take a road trip, versus McCain (16%) and
Obama (15%).
Celebrity Couples
They may not have Oscars like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones or
Grammys like Beyonce and Jay-Z, but Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman take home
the prize for most popular celebrity travel companions. Among U.S. adults who
want to take a road trip with a celebrity couple, about one in five (18%)
select the comic couple over superstars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (15%),
Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez (5%), and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (5%).
Television Families
Americans want to spend time with television families, whether it's in the
living room or the backseat. One in five adults (20%) who want to take a road
trip with a television family name the Huxtables ("The Cosby Show")
as their companions of choice. Interestingly, dysfunctional families like the
Simpsons ("The Simpsons") (17%) and the Bundys ("Married with
Children") (12%) beat out wholesome families such as the Bradys ("The
Brady Bunch") (5%) and the Cleavers ("Leave It to Beaver") (4%).
Overall, one in three adult males ages 18 to 34 (33%) say they want to take a
road trip with the Simpsons.
Methodology
Rand McNally's Great American Road Trip Survey was conducted online by
Harris Interactive between April 29 and May 1, 2008, among 2,030 U.S. adults
ages 18 and over. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited
to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of
theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For full survey results and
methodology, please contact Paul Elsberg at 312-541-9300, Ext. 106.
About Rand McNally & Company
Rand McNally is North America's largest commercial maker of national and
local maps, street guides and atlases. The company's print and electronic
products include America's No. 1 Road Atlas, The Thomas Guide(R) map books,
custom-made wall maps on the Web, wireless navigation solutions and online
maps, directions and trip planning at http://www.randmcnally.com/.
Rand McNally offers the most trusted tools to discover, map and navigate
your world. The company leads the way with innovative products and services for
the consumer, business, education and commercial transportation markets. For
more information, visit http://www.randmcnally.com/ or call (800) 333-0136.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long
and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science and
technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive
serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices
and a network of independent market research firms. For more information,
please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.
Source: Rand McNally
CONTACT: Paul Elsberg of The Reynolds Communications Group,
+1-312-541-9300, Ext. 106, pelsberg@reynoldsgroup.com,
for Rand McNally; or
D.J. Dammann of Rand McNally, +1-847-329-6732, djdammann@randmcnally.com
Web site: http://www.randmcnally.com/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/