AT A GLANCE
- Poll surveyed 3,002 road-tripping families.
- 68% of Texas families are considering shorter in-state trips because of gas prices.
- 86% say traditional long-distance road trips are becoming less affordable.
- Top route: San Antonio → Fredericksburg → Garner State Park.
- Gas was named the biggest road trip expense by 67% of respondents.
- Texans said gas prices would need to reach about $4.70 per gallon before many would cancel summer road trips.
Garner State Park, Fredericksburg and South Padre Island Top the List of Recommended Texas Road Trip Destinations
The Great American road trip has long been a summer tradition, but rising travel costs are causing many Texas families to rethink how far they can afford to go.
A new survey conducted by RV Windshield Replacement, a national network of RV auto glass specialists, found that many families are shifting away from long-distance vacations in favor of shorter, in-state road trips that provide a similar experience without the higher fuel costs, extended travel time, and larger vacation budgets.
The survey included 3,002 experienced road-tripping families and sought to identify destinations that still offer the spirit of a classic summer getaway while remaining more affordable.
Texas’ Top Three Short Summer Road Trips
According to respondents, the most recommended short road trip route in Texas begins in San Antonio and winds through the Hill Country before ending along the Frio River.
1. San Antonio to Garner State Park via Fredericksburg
The top-ranked route starts in San Antonio, where visitors can enjoy the River Walk, historic sites, and downtown attractions before heading northwest into the Texas Hill Country.
Travelers pass through Fredericksburg, known for its small-town charm, wineries, local shops, and scenic landscapes, before continuing to Garner State Park.
The park offers swimming, hiking, picnic areas, and access to the Frio River, providing a classic Texas summer experience without requiring a lengthy or expensive vacation.
2. Houston to Fredericksburg via Austin
The second-most recommended route begins in Houston before moving west toward Austin.
Families can enjoy Austin’s swimming holes, parks, live music, and riverfront attractions before continuing into the Hill Country toward Fredericksburg.
Survey respondents praised the route for balancing city experiences with quieter countryside scenery while keeping costs relatively manageable.
3. San Antonio to South Padre Island via Corpus Christi
The third-ranked route begins in San Antonio and heads southeast toward the Texas Gulf Coast.
After passing through Corpus Christi and its waterfront attractions, travelers continue along the coast toward South Padre Island.
The route offers beach access, seafood dining, coastal scenery, and Gulf sunsets while remaining a more practical option than cross-country travel.
Gas Prices Driving Travel Decisions
The survey found that fuel prices are significantly influencing travel plans for Texas families this summer.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they are reconsidering their road trip plans because of gas prices, while 68 percent said they are more likely to take a shorter in-state trip instead of a longer vacation.
Additional findings include:
- 68% are more likely to take a shorter in-state road trip because of gas prices.
- 47% are more likely to invite another family or relatives along to help share travel expenses.
- 86% believe the traditional long-distance American road trip is becoming less affordable for average families.
The Biggest Expense? Gasoline
When families were asked which road trip cost concerns them most, fuel overwhelmingly topped the list.
Survey respondents identified the largest travel expenses as:
- Gas: 67%
- Hotels: 17%
- Food: 8%
- Attractions: 6%
- Vehicle maintenance: 3%
The findings suggest that transportation costs are now playing a larger role in vacation planning than lodging, dining, or entertainment.
What Families Cut First
As travel budgets tighten, families reported making adjustments to keep vacations affordable.
When asked what they would cut first from a road trip budget, respondents answered:
- Souvenirs: 25%
- The trip itself: 19%
- Restaurant meals: 16%
- Overnight hotel stays: 16%
- Theme parks and attractions: 14%
- Extra sightseeing stops: 10%
The results indicate many families are attempting to preserve their vacations by trimming optional expenses before canceling trips altogether.
Summer Travel Plans Mixed Across Texas
The survey found Texas families entering the summer with a range of travel strategies.
When asked which phrase best described their plans, respondents said:
- Same trip, tighter budget: 26%
- Staying in-state this year: 18%
- Full-speed ahead: 17%
- Shorter drive, same spirit: 16%
- Road trip canceled: 16%
- Road trip downgraded: 10%
While some families are maintaining their original plans, many are choosing shorter routes, packing meals, reducing overnight stays, or staying closer to home.
How High Would Gas Prices Need to Go?
Despite concerns about travel costs, many Texans are not ready to abandon summer vacations altogether.
Survey respondents said gas prices would need to rise by an average of $1.01 per gallon before they would cancel a planned road trip.
With Texas gas prices currently averaging around $3.70 per gallon, that suggests prices would need to approach approximately $4.70 per gallon before many families would consider canceling their travel plans entirely.
“Road trips have always been one of the most flexible ways for families to travel, but this summer that flexibility is being tested,” a spokesperson for RV Windshield Replacement said. “What we’re seeing is not that families have lost their appetite for adventure, but that they are becoming much more strategic about it. Shorter routes, shared costs, fewer overnight stops—these are the new realities for families trying to keep the summer road trip alive without letting fuel prices take the wheel.” says a spokesperson for RV Windshield Replacement.
For many Texas families, the summer road trip is not disappearing. It is simply getting shorter.
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