New survey shows Americans are hitting the road as drivers prioritize family time and budget-friendly journeys.
HOUSTON (Nov. 19, 2025) – The holidays are around the corner, and new research from Jiffy Lube International* shows it’ll be a banner year for road trips – almost half (47%) of survey respondents will be driving for the holidays this year over any other form of travel.
After all, hitting the road remains one of the most affordable ways to travel. Over half of those polled (53%) said that they’ll be driving for the holidays to cut down on spending, with 50% saying it’s also the most comfortable form of travel for them. Forty-three percent enjoy the flexibility of having their car, while 37% said it’s just the simplest way to transport gifts.
Road Trips Take Center Stage
“Making memories with friends and family is easily one of the best parts of the holiday season,” said Suzanne Clerkin, Chief Marketing Officer of Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “It’s exciting to see so many Americans planning to drive to spend time with loved ones, creating joyous holiday memories.”
The survey found that while the average respondent will rack up nearly two working days of festive drive time between November and January, one in 10 (11%) will spend over 30 hours in their car during that timeframe.
And while the majority (57%) of drivers love the sense of adventure that a road trip offers, 29% express being relieved when it’s over, and 17% say they’re exhausted after the drive.
Going the Extra Mile
Americans are committed when it comes to spending time with family during the holidays: When asked how far they have ever driven just to see someone for the festive season, the average respondent said they’ve racked up 408 miles.
They’re equally dedicated to bringing loved ones to the celebration, with the average respondent driving 172 miles out of their way to pick up a loved one, and a heroic one in 20 (5%) saying they’d drive 700 miles or more.
At the end of the day, the drive leads to heartwarming experiences: 71% of respondents say that spending time with family and friends brings them the most joy during the holidays.
Know Before You Go
Before leaving for a road trip, 57% of respondents will pack the car the night before leaving and were well in agreement on what time to get a holiday road trip started – seven in 10 say first thing in the morning is the best time to hit the road.
Ensuring Your Car is Road-Ready
Everyone knows travel can bring unexpected obstacles: nearly one in three drivers have had their holiday derailed by car troubles, leaving them stranded, needing help from a tow truck, or arriving late to celebrations.
In an effort to make their holiday road trip more enjoyable – and gain peace of mind – 62% get their car serviced ahead of time. But despite seeing the value in keeping their car in tip-top shape, 72% of respondents admit they’ve gone over the recommended mileage for an oil change.
“During the busy holiday season, it’s tempting to put off car maintenance until a more convenient time,” said Suzanne Clerkin of Jiffy Lube. “It is important to ensure your vehicle is road-ready and that you are prepared for road trips and inclement holiday weather. After all, we want everyone to arrive at their destination safely and as planned to celebrate with loved ones.”
*Survey Methodology
The survey was commissioned by Jiffy Lube and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 6 and Oct. 13, 2025, surveying 2,000 U.S. adults who drive a car.
About Jiffy Lube®
Founded over 45 years ago, Jiffy Lube serves approximately 19 million customers each year at more than 2,000 franchised service centers across North America. Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with fast, professional service for their vehicles. The company continues to lead the industry with the evolution of its business model, Jiffy Lube Multicare, which offers oil changes, brakes, batteries, and tires as well as other services consumers want and need. Headquartered in Houston, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell USA, Inc. Visit www.JiffyLube.com to learn more about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.