Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Survey Predicts Increase in Weekend Trips

Respondents claim they are more stressed now than this time last year, and all that pressure makes them want to get away more on the weekends.

January 10, 2019
Survey Predicts Increase in Weekend Trips

While their trips may be shorter, travelers make the most of their time away, especially by embracing new experiences outdoors.

Photo via Depositphotos.

3 min to read


Enterprise’s Annual Weekend Getaway Survey found that more people are reporting a stronger desire to get out of the office in 2019 than last year — and most of them sum up the reason in one word: stress.

Respondents claim they are more stressed now than this time last year, and all that pressure makes them want to get away more on the weekends. Three in four say they not only plan to get away in 2019, they hope to take five trips in the coming year, two more than getaway-takers reported taking in 2018.

Ad Loading...

And getting away doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to a far-away destination. Most people — 85% — agree that planning a short trip is less stressful than planning a big vacation. According to the survey results, 55% of travelers plan to stay within 200 miles of home. And they’re keeping it simple; the second most common weekend excursion will be a trip to a family member’s or friend’s house.

In addition, while the most expensive getaways are less likely this year, those who took a getaway in 2018 and plan to do it again in 2019 will either spend as much (58%) or more (33%) on their 2019 trips.

Compared with last year, the number of people who said that leaving their cellphones at home turns the getaway into an escape doubled, and 87% of respondents believe turning off alerts on their devices (email, social media, news) is a best practice when it comes to truly getting away.

The survey also found that taking a low-stress weekend getaway can greatly improve travelers’ moods. Of the respondents planning to take a winter getaway this year, more than half agree their mood suffers in winter and 82% say a getaway helps them escape the cold weather blues. Nearly all respondents report that weekend getaways leave them recharged, relaxed and grateful.

While their trips may be shorter, travelers make the most of their time away, especially by embracing new experiences outdoors. The survey found that:

Ad Loading...
  • 58% of respondents believe that having a brand-new experience and/or doing an activity they’ve never done before is what makes a weekend getaway an escape.

  • 48% of 2019 weekend getaway-takers plan to explore outdoor destinations, while only 16% will travel to a major city, down from 24% last year.

“We’re seeing travelers increasingly want to take simple, low-stress vacations that allow them to unwind and leave their worries at home,” Steve Short, vice president at Enterprise, said in a statement. “This year, our survey revealed that rather than taking longer, elaborate vacations, more respondents would rather take a weekend getaway. And they’re not only staying closer to home – they’re also opting to completely disconnect and turn their weekend getaway into an escape from the stress of their jobs and other responsibilities.”

More Rental Operations

thumbnail what does it take to succeed in b2b rentals
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 12, 2026

What Does It Take to Succeed in B2B Rentals?

The fundamentals may be familiar to daily car rental operators, but project-based truck rentals put different demands on the fleet and the business.

Read More →
Photo of Ana Laborde and world map
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 12, 2026

NPR Builds on International Partnerships to Grow Rental Bookings

With Ana Laborde supporting broker development, NPR Auto Group is tailoring distribution strategies, rate packages, and partnerships to grow international reservations across its three brands.

Read More →
Rental car agent shows woman her choice of rental car
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•October 7, 2026

Advantage, Sixt Place Among Top Five in Annual Satisfaction Study

While Enterprise and National retain the top spots in JD Power’s 2026 rankings, the latest customer satisfaction results suggest renters can find competitive service beyond the biggest car rental names.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
an exotic car wrapped in an insurance policy
Rental Operations•October 1, 2026

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals

Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.

Read More →
globe of world and drivers license from UK
Rental Operations•September 28, 2026

The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?

For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.

Read More →
Scenes from Car Rental Shows past
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 23, 2026

ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers

The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
hand holding phone and Turo logo
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 21, 2026

Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service

Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.

Read More →
plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 15, 2026

Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap

A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.

Read More →
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 15, 2026

U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana

The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental Operations•September 14, 2026

When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?

As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)

Read More →
Ad Loading...