AAA: 2025 Travel Plans and Top Spring Break Destinations

AAA is sharing the top Spring Break destinations and travel trends for the year ahead. A new 2025 AAA travel survey reveals that 83% of South Carolinians plan to take at least one vacation of 3 days or more in 2025.

“Americans continue to make vacations a top priority,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA travel agents are busy planning a wide range of trips from weekend getaways to world cruises. With so much demand, it’s a good idea to lock in your plans soon. That’ll ensure you get the best combination of choices and price.”

The most popular type of vacations this year

· Beach Destination – 50%

· Road Trips – 43%

· City/Major Metro Destination – 27%

· Theme Park – 22%

· Resort Vacation/International Travel – 21%

· Ocean/Large Cruise – 19%

“Theme parks rank high on the list this year, especially with new attractions opening in Orlando,” Haas said. “People might not realize this, but AAA travel agents can arrange comprehensive theme park packages that include discounted hotel accommodations, tickets for the entire family and other products and services that maximize member savings and fun.”

AAA predicts a record-setting 19 million Americans will take an ocean cruise, with the Caribbean being the most popular cruise destination. Click here to view the full report.

Favorite Travel Destinations for 2025

· Domestic – 59%

· Caribbean – 17%

· Europe – 15%

Spring Break Travel Trends

For many, the first big vacation of the year will be during Spring Break. More than a quarter (27%) of South Carolinians plan to travel during Spring Break. Interestingly, when compared to all other holidays/time frames, Spring Break was the most popular time frame to travel – according to AAA’s regional survey.

The Most Popular Spring Break Trips for South Carolinians

· Beach Destination – 46%

· Road Trip – 28%

· Theme Park – 24%

Top 10 Domestic Spring Break Destinations (According to National AAA Booking Data)

1. Orlando, FL 

2. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 

3. Atlanta, GA 

4. Miami, FL 

5. New York City, NY 

6. Honolulu, HI

7. Anaheim, CA

8. Tampa, FL

9. Chicago, IL

10. Charlotte, NC

Top 10 International Spring Break Destinations

(According to National AAA Booking Data)

1. Rome, Italy 6. Dublin, Ireland

2. London, England 7. Oranjestad, Aruba

3. Paris, France 8. Barcelona, Spain

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands 9. Tokyo, Japan

5. Lisbon, Portugal 10. Madrid, Spain

In many cases, Spring Break travel is more expensive than last year. According to AAA booking data:

· The average roundtrip airfare this Spring Break season is $820 for domestic cities, up 7% from last year, and $1,440 for international cities, up 2% from last year.

· Hotel stays in the U.S. are 8% more expensive, averaging $660, while international hotel stays are 4% cheaper this Spring Break season, averaging $740.

· The cost to rent a car domestically is about the same as last year, with rental car bookings averaging about $645. International car rentals are 5% cheaper this Spring Break season, with the average booking costing around $615.

Check Your ID

Following Spring Break season, travelers should be aware of this date: May 7, 2025. That’s when adults traveling within the U.S. must have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Travelers can take a quiz on the REAL ID federal government website to find out if their current identification is compliant.

Plan with a Pro

“Whether you’re planning a cruise, a resort vacation, or a weekend getaway; there’s added value in working with a trusted travel advisor like ours at AAA,” Haas said. “They can tailor your vacation to your preferences, inform you of any documents you need, and potentially unlock savings you won’t find anywhere else.”

AAA still encourages travelers to consider adding travel insurance to protect their vacation plans. According to AAA’s survey, 32% of South Carolina travelers plan to purchase travel insurance, while 21% are unsure.

The top reasons South Carolinians purchase travel insurance when trip planning:

57% - In case I need to cancel my travel plans

50% - In case I have flight issues

48% - In case severe weather interferes with my plans

42% - To ensure I have medical coverage while traveling internationally

“Travel insurance protects you from the unexpected,” Haas said. “If you get sick or injured overseas, travel insurance can help with your medical bills. Also, if your flight is cancelled or your luggage is lost, you’ll be glad you have travel insurance. I recommend working with a travel advisor to review your trip and find the right policy for you. This is something that can be added through the day before you leave for your trip.”

About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey

The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in South Carolina from January 16-21, 2025. A total of 400 residents completed the survey. Survey results asked of all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9% points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in South Carolina.