Why Road Trips Rule. Priorities on getting good value, taking charge and bonding with family are among the key reasons for choosing road trips, the survey revealed. Identifying the main influential factors in their decision to drive instead of fly, most families said driving is less expensive (54 percent). Nearly half the respondents pointed out that “driving gives us more control over our schedule (46 percent), while more than two in five noted car trips “let us take as much luggage/gear as we like” and allow us to “take in scenery/attractions along the way” (42 percent and 41 percent respectively). Among the other reasons cited: Driving is easier” (30 percent), and it “gives us better family bonding time” (22 percent).
Famous Family Travel Companions. Which famous family would respondents most want sharing the backseat (or minivan) with them? The frontrunners for famous families to take on a road trip are the Obamas and Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck and family, chosen by more than one in five respondents (23 percent and 22 percent respectively). Third on the list, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and family, trailed far behind, as the first choice of 8 percent of families surveyed. Topping the list of Worst Celebrity Family Road Trip Companions: Honey Boo-Boo’s family and the Kardashians (33 percent and 21 percent respectively).
Are We There Yet? Getting stuck in traffic is the No. 1 pet peeve for vacationing families on the road (57 percent), followed by drivers who are rude or dangerous (39 percent), car trouble (36 percent) and kids squabbling (33 percent). Rounding out the list of Top 5 Pet Peeves for Families on the Road: Children complaining about the length of the drive (29 percent).
Tech Toys. Most families (56 percent) think technology makes road trips more fun. The majority (61 percent) plan to take three to five tech/media devices on their trips, including smartphones (68 percent), GPS navigation system (49 percent) and laptops (42 percent). Reflecting the explosive growth of tablets during the past few years, more than a third (37 percent) plan to take an iPad or other tablet on vacation.
