Americans Taking Longer Weekend Trips, Spending More in 2024

Americans are planning to take longer stretches of time off this summer, according to Allianz Partners USA‘s 16^th Annual Vacation Confidence Index. New research indicates that travel remains a strong priority based on an increase in both average trip length and average spend on room nights, with staggering splurge statistics reported for three-night getaways.

As both travel and confidence have rebounded in recent years, the average number of nights spent away per trip has been steadily creeping up and now sits at 4.6 versus 4.5 (2023), 4.3 (2022), and 4.1 (2021) nights away. The “micro-cation” trend – previously coined by Allianz Partners USA and characterized as a leisure trip of four nights or fewer – is seemingly growing less popular as travelers opt to spend more nights away on vacation.

Between May and September, seven in ten (73%) Americans will travel away from home for at least one night, promising a busy summer travel season this year. Two in five of those surveyed (41%, up two points from 2023) also are planning ‘multi-cations,’ or multiple getaways at least 100 miles from home for at least a night – an increase over the years past (39% in 2022 and 34% in 2021) and an all-time high. This year’s findings spotlight the continued importance Americans are placing on travel, with 16% taking at least three trips away this summer.

Travelers splurge on 3-night trips, nearly doubling their average spend over the last two years.

Length of time spent away isn’t the only travel indicator that’s creeping up, according to the 16^th Annual Vacation Confidence Index. With summer vacation spending expected to hit an all-time high of $221 billion in 2024, it comes as no surprise that average cost per night is also on the rise. Long weekends and summer Fridays have captivated the American traveler – those who are still opting for micro-cations and taking three-night vacations are more likely to splurge at a rate of $587 per night, a figure that has almost doubled since 2022.

Budget is of less concern for those jetting off for one night, and one night only, with trip spend averaging a similar $594. When tacking on a second night, travelers plan to spend $865 total, bringing the nightly cost down to $433. The best value is found for the popular four-night trip, with average spend dipping down to $385, as well as the 6-7 nights range, with travelers shelling out $406 and $401 per night, respectively.

“From cityscapes and mountainsides to coastlines and canyonlands, this summer promises a jam-packed travel season as Americans look to plan multiple trips at a growing average length. Whether splurging for a long weekend or finding added value on longer getaways, travelers are making the most of their time off this summer,” said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. “Frequent trip planners, or those taking ‘multi-cations,’ may want to consider an annual travel insurance policy, which offers not only convenience and value, but also peace of mind in the form of trip protection that can last for an entire year.”