For many Americans, travel is nonnegotiable—even if it requires cutting back on other expenses. Across the country, people are prioritizing trips as a way to rest, recharge, and escape the pressures of work.
According to a new USA TODAY Workforce Survey, powered by SurveyMonkey and conducted January 8-20, 51% of the 3,156 adults surveyed reported reducing spending in other areas over the past year to afford travel.
Among those carefully budgeting for vacations, 20% said their financial sacrifices were significant, while another 31% described them as somewhat significant. The findings reflect a growing trend of workers treating travel as essential for mental health and overall well-being.
Prioritizing Travel Amid Burnout
Freepik | Financial sacrifices for travel are rising, with 51% of adults prioritizing trips for mental health.
Angela Tran, a public relations account executive in New York, considers travel as vital as rent, groceries, or car insurance. She prioritizes vacation time, using her paid time off strategically to avoid burnout. Over the past couple of years, Tran has taken at least two long trips annually to maintain a sense of balance and avoid work fatigue.
To make her trips possible, she has scaled back on dining out, declined certain social events, and cut down on streaming subscriptions. Her approach reflects a deliberate effort to maintain a travel-focused lifestyle without compromising financial stability.
Budgeting Strategies for Affordable Travel
Many Americans, like Tran, adjust their budgets to fit travel into their plans. Cost-conscious travelers often seek cheaper flights, even if it means longer layovers, and make strategic choices to maximize value.
The 2026 KAYAK "What the Future" report shows that travel expenses are the primary factor influencing how often Gen Z and millennial travelers plan trips. About 70% of 2,029 U.S. respondents said costs shape their travel decisions for the year.
Young travelers are finding inventive ways to manage the cost of vacations. Many are using installment plans to break payments into manageable amounts, while others rely on price trackers to pinpoint the best times to book flights and car rentals—a strategy that has grown by 60% compared with last year.
Vacations as a Priority for Paid Time Off
Travel remains a leading reason Americans take vacation. In the USA TODAY Workforce Survey, 55% of respondents said going on trips is how they prefer to use paid time off.
Despite the desire to travel, Americans face a shortage of vacation days compared with other industrialized countries. In 2024, the average U.S. worker received 11 vacation days, while French workers had approximately a month off. This shortage amplifies the importance of making each trip count and using time off strategically.
Freepik |55% of Americans prioritize travel despite having far fewer vacation days than Europeans.
Psychologist Becky Spelman, who partnered with Expedia for the 2024 Vacation Deprivation Report, explains the mental benefits: "You know how sometimes your computer needs a reboot? Our brains are much the same. Over time, work stress can build up to an unsustainable level, and brain functions start to slow down and work less effectively."
Balancing Travel and Budget
Travel-focused budgeting and careful planning are increasingly common. Americans are finding ways to integrate trips into their lives without compromising essential expenses. From long-term financial adjustments to using technology to secure better deals, these strategies make travel accessible, even when money is tight.
For many Americans, the value of travel goes beyond leisure—it is an investment in well-being, mental health, and life satisfaction. By adjusting spending, using vacation days strategically, and finding creative ways to reduce costs, travel continues to hold a central place in people's lives.
Even with financial constraints and limited time off, trips remain a top priority, showing that experiences can outweigh material comforts.