More Americans are choosing road trips over flights this summer, according to a new survey from Hertz that found 64% of US travelers plan to take a road trip during the 2026 summer travel season.
The car rental company said travelers are increasingly seeking flexibility, convenience and a greater sense of control as demand for summer driving holidays rises ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the wider summer season.
Hertz said booking demand is building steadily ahead of Memorial Day, with rental pickups expected to peak on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22. Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Boston are among the top destinations for car rentals during the holiday weekend.
The company said summer road trips are becoming more experience-driven as travelers revisit iconic American highways, scenic routes and heritage destinations ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Hertz reported growing interest in Route 66 travel, with trips beginning in Chicago and continuing along the historic highway increasing 8% year over year between Memorial Day and July 4.
Bookings connected to Boston and wider New England heritage routes, including the Freedom Trail, rose 14% compared with the previous year, reflecting stronger interest in historical and cultural travel experiences.
The company also identified strong booking growth in Dallas, Houston, Portland, Maui and Chicago as travelers combine urban breaks with outdoor and nature-focused escapes.
Hertz said major sporting events and large concert tours are also influencing travel demand this summer. Cities hosting international sports events are recording rental demand increases of more than 40% year over year.
Dark sky tourism is also gaining popularity as travelers seek quieter destinations and digital detox experiences. Nevada, Arizona and Utah are among the destinations seeing strong growth linked to scenic and open-road travel.
The survey also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in travel planning, particularly among younger travelers.
Among travelers planning summer holidays, 45% said they had used AI tools to help plan their trips. More than a third of Gen Z travelers and Millennials reported using AI for travel planning, compared with 11% of Baby Boomers.
Hertz encouraged travelers to book earlier in the week for lower rental rates and said customers can save 20% on summer rentals through its Flash Sale running from May 21 to May 29 for travel through September 30.
The company also advised travelers to select vehicles suited to their trips, ranging from SUVs and family vehicles to performance cars for scenic highway journeys.
The Hertz survey was conducted online between April 28 and April 30, 2026 among 2,003 US adults. Of those surveyed, 1,526 said they plan to travel this summer. Meanwhile, Hertz offers savings up to 25% for travellers.
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