This holiday season, many Americans are sticking close to home, but Christmas travel is expected to be more extensive than Thanksgiving trips. A recent survey of 2,370 U.S. adults looked at travel plans from Thanksgiving to New Year’s 2025.
Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points, shared that holiday travel often involves balancing logistics and emotions. With long distances to cover, travelers are managing budgets and schedules while trying to keep their cherished traditions alive. The survey offers insights to help people plan better, whether they choose to drive, fly, or stay home.
Most Americans (56%) celebrate at home, while 34% travel to someone else’s place, and 9% head to a vacation spot. Thanksgiving trips tend to be shorter, with 28% traveling 50 miles or more. For Christmas, that number rises to 34%, with about 10% planning to travel over 500 miles.
Travel habits vary by state. Ohio, Connecticut, and Texas have the highest percentages of travelers, while Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii see more people staying home. Other states with high travel rates include Iowa and Washington, while Missouri and Oklahoma rank high for staying put.
Cost, work commitments, and family expectations are influencing how and when people travel during the holidays. For those deciding whether to hit the road or stay local, these findings provide a clear picture of holiday travel trends.
Top states for long-distance travel include Colorado (24.5% traveling 500+ miles), Arizona (20.8%), Missouri (19.2%), Massachusetts (18.0%), and New Mexico (17.0%).
