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Zipcar Debunks Myths About Holiday Travel

Zipcar’s recent survey debunks several myths about holiday travel by car.

by Staff
December 22, 2015
Zipcar Debunks Myths About Holiday Travel

Photo courtesy of Zipcar.

2 min to read


Photo courtesy of Zipcar.

Zipcar created a survey to learn more about American’s holiday driving habits. Conducted online last month by Harris Poll, the findings of the survey debunk several long-standing myths about holiday travel by car:

Myth #1: Family road trips are the stuff of holiday nightmares.

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Truth: Time in the car equals time to connect.

Nearly three in five (57%) American adults who take holiday road trips say that the drive to visit family is itself an important part of their holiday traditions, according to the survey. Nearly two-thirds (64%) enjoy disconnecting from technology to spend time with friends and family in the car, while 68% say they feel closer to the family and friends they travel with after a long car ride.

Myth #2: Cars are only for driving.

Truth: Holiday cheer will reach a whole new level on the roads this holiday season.

Zipcar learned that nearly one in 10 U.S. adults (9%) report having pulled over for a “quickie” and getting intimate with their partner while traveling for the holidays, according to the survey.

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Myth #3: When it comes to holiday travel, Americans just want to get it over with.

Truth: The “holiday rush” is slower than you think — and comes complete with a soundtrack.

Eighty percent of holiday road trippers say they like to take their time and enjoy the ride — as opposed to 20% who consider themselves "speed demons," according to the survey. When it comes to holiday songs, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is the favorite holiday song among American adults spending time in the car this holiday season (13%), followed closely by Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" (12%).

The online survey was conducted from Nov. 19-23 among 2,016 adults.

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