AARP Travel Research: Road Trips

Published June 2015 Allison Kulwicki, AARP Research Contact Vicki Gelfeld ([email protected]) for more information https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00106.001

2015 Road Trips Executive Summary 3 - 5 Sizing the Audience 6 - 8 Key Findings 9 - 39 Appendix 40 - 44 Methodology AARP Research Team

AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved 2 Executive Summary The Road Trip • Road Trips are a popular form of travel among the 45-plus leisure travel audience, with 87% taking part in this mode of travel approximately three times a year.

• On average, the one-way drive time for a Road Trip is 9 hours. Upon arrival at the final destination, road trippers spend approximately 5 days, making the total Road Trip a 7-day excursion.

– However for some, a Road Trip is a 2-3 hour drive out of town to see family, an annual trip to the same destination each year, or even a spontaneous get-away.

– Regardless of drive time, the 45-plus road tripping audience consistently cite their trips involve 2-3 family members driving together in only one vehicle (95%) - likely a car (55%) or SUV (30%).

• Approximately two-thirds of road trippers make planned stops on their Road Trip, more so on the way to the final destination rather than on their return home.

– The most popular pre-planned stop is at a park/beach, or to take a few hours to explore a new city and/or enjoy local culture.

• The 45-plus travel audience has clearly embraced this way of travel, with 72% claiming it as their favorite way to travel and 45% indicating the trip is about both the journey and the destination.

AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved 3 Executive Summary The Preparation • The majority of road trippers begin planning their Road Trip by going online to check out maps, get directions, and book hotels, but few will engage social media as part of their planning process.

– Gen-Xers (70%) are significantly more likely than Baby Boomers (47%) to start their planning online.

• As for the car, some routine maintenance (change oil, clean the car, check the tire pressure) is conducted, more so among Baby Boomers than Gen-Xers, but less than half (43%) prepare or purchase an emergency kit for the trip.

• Most travelers (73%) are likely to have a GPS system in their car, which is equally likely to be a portable system or a smartphone app.

– Beyond a GPS app, not many other road trip-related smartphone apps are accessed before or during the trip; about one in ten access Gas Buddy (11%) and Starbucks (7%).

AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved 4 Executive Summary The Drive • Approximately half (53%) of road trippers indicate they handled all driving responsibilities on their most recent road trip.

• Regardless if the road tripper is the driver or passenger, all stayed entertained with similar distractions; talking to each other (~70%) and listening to the radio (~60%) being the most popular.

• Snacks are important on a Road Trip - the top snacks brought in the car include nuts, soda, coffee, fruit, and chips.

• Road Trip must haves: – Water, Sunglasses and Snack top the list of non-tech items. – And beyond a cell phone, cell coverage is cited most often (62%) with an iPad/Tablet (40%) and a Digital Camera (39%) coming in a distant third.

• Less than half of all road trippers engage with social media during the trip, that said the incidence of use increases among those who had planned stops along the way.

• AARP definition:

A Road Trip is a trip taken by car, truck SUV, RV, camper, bus or motorcycle where travelers were headed to one or more destinations to get away for one or more days.

The definition is presented to respondents at S11 and again at Q3 in the survey.

• Road Trips appear to be a very popular way to travel among the 45-plus leisure travel audience. – And although the variance is not dramatic, those who are <60, Married, with Kids are more likely to take a Road Trip than their demographic counterparts.

45-plus Leisure Have Taken Road x Likely To Take = Net Opportunity: Traveler Trip: 87% Road Trip: 96% 84%

Incidence By Segment

AGE MARRIED KIDS IN HH

<60 60+ Yes No Yes No

89% 85% 89% 80% 91% 86%

S13: Still thinking about leisure travel, how many Road Trips have you taken in the past year? Base: Screener, 45+Travelers (n=3,406) Q28: How likely are you to plan another Road Trip in the next 12 months? Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226)

• For most, a Road Trip is a leisure trip taken by car that gets you out of town and typically involves an overnight stay. • Although travelers provide a wide time-range (from 2 hours and higher), on average, a Road Trip is seen as a trip that requires ~5 hours of drive time.

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q1: In your opinion, how long must the drive time be (in hours) for at rip to qualify as a “Road Trip?” Q1b: In your own words, what defines a Road Trip to you?

• The average number of Road Trips taken in a year is three (3). – Those age 60-69 appear to be slightly more active road trippers than those of other ages. – Whites and Hispanics take more Road Trips than other multi-cultural groups.

Road Trips Taken In Past Year

35% 29%

19% 17%

1 2 3 4

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q2: On average, how frequently do you take Road Trips? Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226)

• There are lots of reasons to take a Road Trip, but most 45-plus (52%) travelers say the Road Trips they typically take are ‘leisure trips to new destination.’ – Baby Boomers favor leisure trips and family events, while Gen-Xers look to road trips for leisure trips and annual trips. When thinking about my typical Road Trip, the following best describes my plan of action: 60% Type of Trip • Totally Planned: 32% 52% • Somewhat Planned: 61% • Not Preplanned: 7% 42% 40% 31% 31% 31%

23% 20%

0% Leisure trip to new Routine trip to same Family Event Annual Trip to same Spontaneous Annual Trip to new destination destination destination destination Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q3c: Would you say the type of Road Trips you typically take are…? Q3d: When you think about your typical Road Trip, which of the following best describes your general plan of action?

• The top types of Road Trip destinations include a specific city or town or to a friend/family’s home. – A friend/family’s home is a more popular destination for Boomers (31%) than it is for Gen-Xers (22%). – Gen-Xers are twice as likely to head to the mountains (10%) than are Boomers (5%).

Road Trip Destinations

60% Most Popular…

13% 12% 39% 40% 29%

20% 12% 6% 5% 6% 2% 1% 0% City/town Friend or Beach Mountains Park Cross country No specific Other family's home destination

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q4: What type of location was your final destination on your most recent Road Trip? Q4g: Where specifically was your final destination?

• Destination type does not differ by region with the exception of the beach: road trippers in the Northeast and South are more likely to go to the beach. Road Trip Destinations Northeast 60% By Respondent Region Midwest 46% South 41% West 40% 37% 34% 33% 30% 29% 25%

20% 17% 16% * * 10% 9% 7% 6% 6% 4% 5% 6% 5% 5% 5% 6% 4% 3% 1% 2% 2% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% City/town Friend or family's Beach Mountains Park Cross country No specific Other home destination Most Popular Destinations By Respondent Region

Northeast Midwest South West Pennsylvania (14%) Michigan (10%) Florida (24%) California (45%)

New York (13%) Texas (13%) Nevada (12%)

Florida (11%

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q4: What type of location was your final destination on your most recent Road Trip? Q4g: Where specifically was your final destination? * Significantly different at 95% confidence AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved 14 When They Go

• Road Trips are most popular May through October. • The majority of Road Trips taken in November and December are specifically for the holidays. Incidence By Month

57% of Nov/Dec trips are for the Holidays. (Base: n=484)

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q3: In what months do you tendto take Road Trips? Q3b: Are your Road Trips in November/December for the Holidays?

• Most Road Trips take approximately 9 hours of drive time each way, with most driving for just one day each way. • Road trippers average a 5-day stay at their destination, so the entire Road Trip spans a total of 7 days.

Hours Driving & Length of Stay at Destination

9 hours to destination 5 day stay

9 hours to get home

Average Length of Trip = 7 days

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q5c: Thinking just about the time spent in the car, how many total hours of driving did it take to get to your final destination? Q5a: How many days did you stay at your final destination before getting on the road to return home? Q5b: Thinking just about the time spent in the car, how many total hours of driving did it take to get home?

• Compared to other means of travel, 45-plus travelers chose a Road Trip because it allows for flexibility when traveling and it provides a vehicle at the destination. • Other benefits of taking a Road Trip versus another means of travel include costs, the scenery, and the fun of it. Reasons for Taking a Road Trip (versus other means of travel) Vehicle at destination 58% Flexibility 46% Cost 35% Scenery 28% Short distance from home 26% Fun to drive 24% Experience multiple destinations 19% Enjoy company of other travelers 15% Just a few traveling 15% Discover local spots 14% Several traveling 14% Long distance from home 12% Traveling with pet 8% Dislike flying 4% Medical concerns 1% Other 6% 0% 20% 40% 60% Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q8: For your most recent Road Trip, why specifically was it a road trip versus another means of travel?

• Road Trips tend to be a family affair, with spouses and children cited as the most likely travel companions. – Gen-Xers are more likely to have young children on the trip than are Baby Boomers.

Fellow Travelers Family (NET) 91% Spouse/Sig Other 79% Child(ren) 24% Extended Family 7% Average Age Range of Fellow Travelers Grandchild(ren) 5% 64 Parent(s) 3% 70 51 60 62 Friends (NET) 11% 50 47 All females 5% 40 52 Mix males & female 4% 30 30 Another couple 2% 20 Baby Boomers Total 10 All males 2% Gen-X Other 4% 0 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Base: Traveled with at least one other person (n=1136) Q10: Who accompanied you on your most recent Road Trip? Q10b: What was the age range of those who accompaniedyou on your most recent Road Trip?

• More than a third of Road trippers do not make planned stops, beyond the Did Your Road-Trip Include basic rest-stop, on their Road Trip. Pre-Planned Stops along the Way? • Among those who do, they are more likely to make a stop on their way to the Yes final destination, rather than on their return home.

Types of Pre-planned Stops Made and Duration 55%

Park/beach 29% 3.2 hours 22% 3.3 hours No

Explore city 29% 4.0 hours 24% 3.3 hours 38% 37% 25% 3.2 hours Local culture 19% 2.8 hours

15% 4.0 hours No stops either way Museum/cultural 9% 3.7 hours Stopped on way to destination Winery tour 8% 3.0 hours Stopped on way home 4% 2.1 hours 4.2 hours Concert/theater 5% 3% 3.4 hours 5% Brewery tour 2% 3.4 hours 4.1 hours Sporting event 3% 4.3 hours Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) 1% Q4b: Beyond the basic rest stop, did this Road Trip include 5.8 hours pre-planned stops at other destinations/attractions to and 3.5 hours from your destination? Other 46% 53% 2.5 hours Q4c: Please indicate the types of stops you made en route to your destination? Q4c_1: How much time did you spend at 0% 20% 40% 60% each stop? Base: Stopped on way to destination (n=676) Q4d: Please indicate the types of stops you made on your way home? Q4d_1: How much time did you spend at each stop? To Destination Returning Home Base: Stopped on way home (n=463) AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved 19 Road Trip – Is it the Destination or Journey

• Most travelers stick to the main roads, as the trip is likely more about the The Road Trip is About… destination than the journey. The Destination 40%

The Roads Traveled

23%

The Journey 15% 5%

72%

Main Roads Scenic Route Combination Both 45%

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q14: On your most recent Road Trip, which of the following best describes the route you took? Q29: To sum it all up, based on your personal experience, is the Road Trip more about the destination or the journey?

Satisfaction with Most Recent Road Trip • The vast majority road trippers 100% 82% are very satisfied with their most 80% recent Road Trip. 60%

• In fact, 72% claim it is their 40% most favorite way to travel. 20% 15% 3% 0% Very Somewhat Satisfied Bottom 3 Box Satisfied

View on Road Trips as a Way to Travel

3% 25% 72%

Least Favorite Neutral Most Favorite

Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q24: When it was all said and done, how satisfied were you with your most recent Road Trip? Q26: Using the scale, please describe how you view Road Trips?

• Approximately half (52%) of all road-trippers indicate using online resources to plan their most recent Road Trip. Road Trip Planning

52% 20% 4% 24%

Internet search Maps/atlas Travel books/brochures Other Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) • For those using the Internet to plan their trip, common websites include Google Maps and Trip Advisor, with about half using the Internet to research hotels along their route/final destination and directions. Websites Used for Planning Travel Information Researched Online

Google Maps 56% Hotels,etc. 57%

TripAdvisor.com 35% Directions 49%

AAA.com 20% Weather 38%

Travel.AARP.org 5% Route 37%

Other 23% Activities 34%

0% 20% 40% 60% 0% 20% 40% 60%

Q11: Where did you start the process of planning your road trip? Q12: What websites did you use, if any, to help you plan your most recent Road Trip? Base: Used Online Source (n=859) Q13: What kind of travel information were you looking for online? AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved Social Media Used in Planning

• Less than one-third of travelers used Social Media as part of their Road Trip planning. • Among those who did, Facebook is the dominant site for such needs.

Specific Social Media Use of Social Media Networks 100% Networks Used 85% 6% 22% 80%

60%

40%

72% 20% 14% 9% 9%

0% Yes No Do not use Social Media Facebook Twitter Pinterest Other

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Base: Used Social Media (n=77) Q13b: Did you tap into your social media networks as you planned for your Road Trip? Q13c: Which social media networks did you use in your planning?

• Most road trippers did some vehicle preparation before taking their trip, with checking tires, routine maintenance and preparing an emergency kit all more likely among Boomers than Gen-Xers. • Less than half of all road trippers (43%) had an emergency kit on board.

How Prepared Vehicle Emergency Kit Contents

Checked tire pressure 71% Emergency warning First aid kit 89% triangle 38% Cleaned inside of vehicle 65% Flashlight 86% Batteries 36% Tire gauge 71% Stainless steel multi-tool 31% Washed vehicle 51% Booster cables 68% Duct tape 31% Conducted maintenance 48% Water 66% Air compressor 22% Blankets 55% Tow strap 16% Changed oil 42% 4-in-1 screwdriver 51% Adjustable headlamp 11% Bungee cord 39% Other 7% Bought new vehicle 2%

None of the above 15% 43% Had One on Road Trip

Base: Used Own Vehicle (n=1041) Base: Had Emergency Kit (n=530)

Q18a: Did you have, or did you preparean emergency kit for your Road Trip? Q17: Which of the following did you do to prep your vehicle prior to your Road Trip? Q18b: What was included in your emergency kit?

• A GPS appears to be a must have on a Road Trip, and it is used to a far greater degree than a traditional map. – Among GPS users, some still use a portable GPS (36%), while others rely on the Google Maps app (30%) or some other smartphone app (27%).

Trip Navigation Specific GPS Tool(s) Used 80% 73%

40% 60% 36%

30% 43% 27% 40% 38%

20% 16% 20% 18% 17%

4% 2% 0% GPS (NET) Stand alone Smartphone Traditional Other None 0% or in-dash GPS app map Portable GPS Google Maps Smartphone Tablet GPS Other GPS system app GPS app app

Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Base: Used GPS (n=891) Q15: What did you use, if anything, to navigate your route? Q15b: Which GPS tool did you use for this trip?

• Beyond map-related apps, only four in ten used a road-related smartphone app. – Among those using apps, the most popular is Google

Road-Related Smartphone Apps Used

Google 23%

Gas Buddy/other gas apps 11%

Waze 9%

Starbucks/other coffee apps 7%

USA Rest Stop Locator 1%

Other 2%

Did not use 61%

0% 20% 40% 60%

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q16: Did you use any of the following road-related smartphone/table apps to assist you on this trip?

• Map-related app use is similar among Gen Xers and Boomers, with the exception of Starbucks, which was used more by younger road trippers.

Road-Related Smartphone Apps Used Gen X vs. Baby Boomers

22% Google 23% 14% Gas Buddy/other gas apps 10% 10% Waze 9% 12% * Starbucks/other coffee apps 5%

USA Rest Stop Locator 1% 1% GenX 2% Baby Boomer Other 2% 54% Did not use 62%

0% 20% 40% 60%

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q16: Did you use any of the following road-related smartphone/table apps to assist you on this trip? * Significantly different at 95% confidence

• More often than not, road trippers will pack MORE for a Road Trip than when they travel by air. • A small minority, 13%, claim to pack less on Road Trips.

Packing: Road Trip vs. Air Travel 53% 32% 13%

Pack more for Pack about Pack less for Road Trips the same for Road Trips Road Trips

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q19: Comparedto how you pack when traveling by air, would you say you…?

• Approximately half of all road trippers • Talking and listening to music are the top ways indicate they personally drove the road trippers stay entertained in the car entire trip, while the other half shared driving responsibilities with one (31%) Road Trip Entertainment or more (16%) drivers. 74% Talked to each other 70% 70% Driving Responsibilities Listened to the radio 59% 20% Listened to music on mobile device 20% 16% 16% Read 17% 16% Talked on the phone 20% 14% Slept 33% 14% Text on phone 21% 31% 53% 11% Played games on mobile device 18% 10% Listened to books on tape 7% 7% I drove Sang songs 4% Someone else drove Watched tv/movies 5% Self Shared among eligible drivers 9% 1% Others No entertainment - just relaxed 4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Base: Travelers (n=1,226) Base: Travelers (n=1,226) Q4g_2: On this particular trip, how was the driving handled? Q23/Q23b: In what say did you/other people stay entertained while on this Road Trip?

• A personal car or SUV is most often used on Road Trips, with few (8%) renting a car to take a road trip. – Boomers are more likely to drive a car (58%) than are Gen-Xers (45%). – Gen-Xers are more likely to drive an SUV (38%) than are Boomers (28%).

Type of Vehicle used on Personal vs. Rented Vehicle

Most Recent Road Trip 100% 92% Car 55% 85% 80%

SUV 30% 60%

Van 6% 40%

20% Truck 5% 7% 8%

0% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Personal (NET) Personal - my Personal - Rental own someone else's

Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q6: What type of vehicle did you use on your most recent Road Trip? Q6b: And was this a personal vehicle or was it rented for the purpose of this trip?

• Road trippers tend to want the basics, in both the tech and non-tech categories, in their vehicle during a trip.

Top 3 Must Haves: Non-Tech Top 3 Must Haves: Tech (excluding mobile phone)

Water 63% Cell coverage 62%

Sunglasses 60% iPad/tablet 40%

Food/snacks 60% Digital camera 39%

Tissues 20% Laptop 28%

Toothbrush 14% SiriusXM 26%

Hand sanitizer 13% iPod/music player 16%

Umbrella 12% Music apps 11%

Book 11% Dowloaded movies/tv shows 6%

Pillow 11% Other 9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 0% 20% 40% 60%

Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q20: What are the top 3 non-technology items you must have in your vehicle when on a Road Trip? Q20b: Beyond your mobile phone, what are the top 3 technology items you must have on your Road Trip?

• Nuts are a favorite in-car snack food; soda, coffee, fruit, and chips also rank high. • When it comes to making a food-stop, travelers prefer restaurants over fast food establishments. • About a third drove five or more miles off their route to stop a specific place for food. Favorite Food In Car Popular Places to Stop For Food

Nuts 48% 8% Soda 42% 3% Coffee 41% 2% Fresh fruit 40% 32% drove Chips 38% 32% 5+ miles out Crackers 27% 13% of the way Candy 20% Cookies 20% to make a Cheese 16% food stop Fresh vegetables 12% 16% Donuts 6% Energy drinks 6% 26% Other 14% Local restaurant Fast food No food in vehicle 5% National chain restaurant Gas station/convenience store Grocery store Other 0% 20% 40% No stops for food Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q21: At what type of places did you stop most often to eat, or get food, during your most recent Road Trip? Q21b: Did you ever drive more than 5 miles out of your way to stop at a specific location to get food? Q22: What are your favorite foods/snacks you like to eat/drink on Road Trips?

• During the Road Trip, social media users tend to share photos of their journey and final destination, rather than providing status updates or videos. – Sharing increases when planned stops are included in the trip itinerary. – Gen-Xers are more likely than Boomers to engage in Social Media on their Road Trip.

Social Media Sharing (% Ever)

60%

47%

40% 35%

21% 20%

0% Photos Status update Videos

Base: Use Social Media (n=956) Q23b_2: During your Road Trip, how frequently, if at all, did you do the following on social media?

• Regarding their most recent Road Trip, most travelers did not consider another means of transportation. Among those who did, air was the most the most likely mode considered. • The majority believe a Road Trip is less expensive than other modes of travel.

Considered Another Types of Transportation How Cost Compares: Means of Transportation Road Trip vs. Other Modes 100% Considered 100%

80% 75% 80% 69%

60% 60%

85% 40% 40%

24% 18% 20% 20% 13% 9% 5% 15% 0% 0% Yes No Airplane Train Bus Other Much/Somewhat Breaks even Much/Somewhat less expensive more expensive Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Base: Considered Other Means (n=188) Base: Considered Other Means (n=188) Q7: Had you seriously considered another means of transportation for this trip before deciding to make it a Road Trip? Q7b: What type of transportation did you consider before deciding to make it a Road Trip? Q7c: How does the cost of Road Trips compare to other modes of transportation for your leisure travel needs?

• When it came to planning for their most recent Road Trip, 33% of travelers say there were no challenges. Some report ‘deciding what to pack’ (27%) and ‘choosing a travel date’ (21%) as difficult, but overall, there does not seem to be a major challenge. • That said, when on the road, anything that will slow down the drive can really ruin the trip. Most Difficult Part of Planning Top 3 Things That Can Ruin the Road Trip

Deciding what to pack 27% Traffic jams 76% Bad weather 69% Choosing date 21% Road construction 67% Preparing the car 11% Other drivers 17% Identifying stops 10% Cost of gas 16% Choosing route 7% No clean bathrooms 16%

Finding points of interest 6% Restlessness/boredom 10% Back seat driving 4% Agreeing on route 3% No scenery 4% Preparing for emergencies 2% Bathroom stops 4% Other 4% "Are we there yet?" 3% None 33% Other 3%

0% 20% 40% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q25: What, if anything, was the hardest part about planning for your Road Trip? Q27: What are the top 3 things that can really ruin a Road Trip?

• The 45-plus leisure travel audience is very likely to plan a Road Trip in the next 12 months because : – They like to travel

– Road Trips are easy and inexpensive Anticipate 3-4 – Road Trips are fun and a flexible way to travel. Trips in next 12 months Likelihood to Plan Another Road Trip in Next 12 Months

100% “Easy way to travel.” 82% “They are a fun way to travel and spend time 80% as a family visiting new places.”

“I like the flexibility of a “I like driving.” road trip...stop when and 60% “Cheapest way to where you want.” travel.”

40% “I like to travel.”

20% 14% 4% 0% Very Likely Somewhat Likely Bottom 3 Box

Base: Total Respondents (n=1,226) Q28a: How likely would you be to plan another Road Trip in the next 12 months? Q28b: Why are you [Q28a response] to plan another Road Trip in the next 12 months? Q29b: How many Road Trips do you plan to take in the next 12 months? AARP Research| aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved 39 APPENDIX

• A 10-minute online survey was conducted among males and females, 45-plus, who have taken at least one Road Trip in the past year. – A Road Trip is any trip taken by car, truck, SUV, RV, camper, bus or motorcycle where you were headed to one or more destinations to getaway for one or more days. • Respondents were further identified as having taken a Road Trip in the past year.

• The survey was in field from May 5 – 13, 2015. • A total on n=1,226 surveys were completed; final counts are detailed in the table to the right. • Final data has been weighted to U.S. Census for analysis.

Key Behavior Differences: GenX vs. Baby Boomers

Baby • There are several differences in what Gen-X Boomers Base: 233 993 a Road Trip looks like for Gen-Xers vs. The Trip In General Baby Boomers; some are more Average days at destination 3.7 5.2* The Trip is a “Journey” 20%* 14% pronounced that others. Planning the Trip Used Internet 70%* 47% – Gen-Xers are more likely to use technology Used maps/atlas 12% 22%* to assist, or to enjoy, on their trip than are Type of Vehicle Baby Boomers; apps, music, social media. Car 45% 57%* SUV 38%* 28% – Baby Boomers are more likely to drive a car, Vehicle Prep whereas Gen-Xers are more likely to drive an Base: Used Own Vehicle 193 993 SUV. Checked Tires 63% 72%* Maintenance on Vehicle 37% 50%* In-Car Entertainment (Self) – And although it is not dramatic, the Gen-Xers Music on mobile device 27%* 18% are more likely to look at the trip as a Books on Tape 3% 11%* journey (20%) than are Baby Boomers Sang Songs 13%* 5% (14%); but the flip side of that is that most, Watched TV/Movies 12%* 4% regardless of generation, see the Road Trip Played Road Games 9%* 3% as a destination, not a journey. Social Media Use (% Ever) Base: Use Social Media 190 766 Shared Photos 56%* 44% Updated Status 47%* 32% Base: Total Respondents, weighted (n=1,226) * Significant difference at 95%

Drive Time Required to be a Road Trip 60%

40%

25% 23% 19% 19% 20%

9% 5%

0% 1 hour 2 hours 3 hours 4 hours 5 hours 6+ hours

Base: Total Respondents (n=1226) Q1: In your opinion, how long must the drive time be (in hours) for at rip to qualify as a “Road Trip?”

This research was designed and executed by AARP Research, 50+ Research team:

AARP Research Center, 50+ Research Allison Kulwicki, Research Advisor [email protected] Vicki Gelfeld, Research Advisor [email protected] Patty David, Sr Research Advisor/Team Lead [email protected] In partnership with:

and