New research* from global trip discovery and planning platform Rome2Rio found that 70% of American travelers researched an unplanned side trip in the past year – rising to 80% among Gen Z. And 88% of those who considered one ultimately took a side trip (a trip departing from their main destination).
Key findings include: The rise of side trips & Gen Z leading the shift o Social media influenced 36% of travelers and 44% of Gen Z to take a side trip o Other influences included recommendations from friends or family (35%), positive online reviews (34%), and discovering a destination was easy to get to (32%) o Nearly one-third of travelers were motivated by the opportunity for a more local, authentic experience (32%) Clear transportation information helps travelers follow through 83% said transportation and route information is very or extremely important when deciding whether to take a side trip 48% want to easily see all the ways to reach a destination Affordability (65%) and proximity to where travelers are already staying (57%) are the leading factors when deciding to take a side trip 2-3-hour radius is the sweet spot for side trips 51% are willing to travel up to two hours one way for a side trip, increasing to 72% within three hours Beaches and islands are the most sought-after side trips at 43%, followed by national parks (29%); a cultural attraction, landmark, or museum (29%); and festival, concert or event (27%) 22% of respondents already used Rome2Rio to plan a side trip, rising to 32% among Gen Z and 28% among Millennials
This behavior is also showing up in Rome2Rio’s first-party search data. Between Q1 and Q2 2026 **, searches surged for smaller destinations near established travel hubs, including Sottomarina, (+344%), Torri del Benaco (+290%), Domaso (+289%) in Italy and Wildwood, New Jersey (+224%). The transportation routes connecting travelers to smaller destinations grew even faster: Boston-to-Salem ferry searches increased by 2,004%, while searches for the Split-to-Krka National Park train route in Croatia rose more than 10,000% quarter-over-quarter.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
DMCFinder Concierge
80% of Gen Z research unplanned side trips
80% of Gen Z research unplanned side trips
New research* from global trip discovery and planning platform Rome2Rio found that 70% of American travelers researched an unplanned side trip in the past year – rising to 80% among Gen Z. And 88% of those who considered one ultimately took a side trip (a trip departing from their main destination).
Key findings include:
The rise of side trips & Gen Z leading the shift
o Social media influenced 36% of travelers and 44% of Gen Z to take a side trip
o Other influences included recommendations from friends or family (35%), positive online reviews (34%), and discovering a destination was easy to get to (32%)
o Nearly one-third of travelers were motivated by the opportunity for a more local, authentic experience (32%)
Clear transportation information helps travelers follow through
83% said transportation and route information is very or extremely important when deciding whether to take a side trip
48% want to easily see all the ways to reach a destination
Affordability (65%) and proximity to where travelers are already staying (57%) are the leading factors when deciding to take a side trip
2-3-hour radius is the sweet spot for side trips
51% are willing to travel up to two hours one way for a side trip, increasing to 72% within three hours
Beaches and islands are the most sought-after side trips at 43%, followed by national parks (29%); a cultural attraction, landmark, or museum (29%); and festival, concert or event (27%)
22% of respondents already used Rome2Rio to plan a side trip, rising to 32% among Gen Z and 28% among Millennials
This behavior is also showing up in Rome2Rio’s first-party search data. Between Q1 and Q2 2026 **, searches surged for smaller destinations near established travel hubs, including Sottomarina, (+344%), Torri del Benaco (+290%), Domaso (+289%) in Italy and Wildwood, New Jersey (+224%). The transportation routes connecting travelers to smaller destinations grew even faster: Boston-to-Salem ferry searches increased by 2,004%, while searches for the Split-to-Krka National Park train route in Croatia rose more than 10,000% quarter-over-quarter.
source
Comments
More posts