63% of U.S. adults are likely to take a summer vacation this year, up from 61% in 2022. Affordability is stopping many people's ability to go on vacation. 58% of those unlikely to take a summer vacation say they can't afford it.

In 2026, travel remains a top priority for Americans, with a striking 92% of the population planning to take at least one trip during the year. This represents a significant post-pandemic shift where "experience-based" spending is prioritized over physical goods. Approximately 86% of these travelers plan to venture out of their home state, while roughly 50% are planning an international vacation. However, there is a distinct "concession" trend: while nearly everyone wants to travel, about 20% report they are traveling less than in previous years due to economic concerns or high flight costs. The average 2026 travel budget for a household is estimated at over $10,000, nearly double what it was just two years ago. Interestingly, households with children are the most eager travelers, with 85% of parents reporting they have planned at least one major summer getaway, compared to about 70% of households without children.

That’s an excellent question, but it’s important to note that there isn’t a single, definitive, up-to-date percentage because data comes from different surveys with different definitions of “vacation.”

However, we can look at several key data points from recent years to give a clear picture:

Key Statistics and Trends:

1. Pre-Pandemic Baseline: Before COVID-19, surveys typically showed that over half of Americans did not use all their paid time off (PTO). In 2018, a Project: Time Off survey found that 52% of Americans reported having unused vacation days at the end of the year. This implies that while most have the opportunity, a significant portion doesn’t take a full vacation.

2. Post-Pandemic Recovery and “Revenge Travel”: After the pandemic, travel rebounded strongly.

   • A 2023 survey by The Vacationer found that nearly 85% of American adults planned to take at least one summer trip in 2023.
   • However, “taking a trip” can range from a long weekend to a major vacation. For longer trips, the numbers are lower. The same survey suggested about 42% planned to take at least one “real” vacation (defined as a trip of at least a week to a place over 100 miles away).

3. The “No Vacation Nation” Reality: The U.S. is the only advanced economy that does not mandate any paid vacation or holidays by federal law. This leads to inequality in access:

   • Full-time workers: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), about 77% of private industry workers had access to paid vacation benefits. But having access doesn’t mean using it all.
   • Part-time and lower-wage workers: This number drops dramatically. Only about 40% of part-time workers have access to any paid vacation.
   • Usage: Even those with PTO often leave days unused due to workload, guilt, fear of falling behind, or company culture.

4. Length of Vacation: Americans are known for taking shorter vacations. The average American vacation is often just 4-5 days, compared to the standard 2-3 weeks common in Europe.

A Reasonable Estimate:

Based on the synthesis of recent data:

• Taking any leisure trip (long weekend or longer) in a given