Key takeaways

• Some extreme travel fans tap into all-you-can-fly annual passes for $599 and up

• Day trippers are skipping hotel stays, which can run upwards of $200 a night on average

• 1 in 3 people prioritize traveling now instead of waiting for retirement

Extreme day trips are taking off, with people flying to another city, state, or even country in the morning to spend the day experiencing it — and then traveling home all within a 24-hour time frame.

Empower research reveals 1 in 5 (20%) Americans prioritize travel regardless of what's going on in the economy and 1 in 3 are focused on taking trips now rather than waiting until retirement. This has some wanderlusters seizing the day, one at a time, and embracing the idea of extreme day trips to see the world in less time — and often for less money.

Same-day travel surge

The U.K. has been a hub for extreme day trips, with its lower-fare air carriers and proximity to major cities throughout Europe.¹ Now, Americans are leaning into the one-day getaway trend too — hopping on a plane or in the car for a whirlwind day spent at the beach, sightseeing, shopping, or enjoying a leisurely meal at a destination, and then returning home by bedtime. This travel style can be a good option for time-crunched travelers, allowing them to squeeze out the most from the hours they do have either on weekends or on a day off.

Social media is helping fuel the buzz: One “Extreme Day Trips” online group has about 324,000 members who share and crowdsource everything from restaurant recommendations by location, to quick-hit tips for optimizing itineraries by the hour.² And searches for “take a day trip” increased by 1,000% on another popular app during the first week of June.³

Read more: Money meets lifestyle: Consumers spend $2.1 trillion on experiences

Travel more, spend less

Nearly half (44%) of Americans believe the vacation memories they make are priceless, but making them while traveling can prove costly. Some of these expenses go away with extreme day trips, which may add to their appeal. Take lodging, which can be one of the priciest vacation line items: The average daily room rate for hotels in the U.S. is projected to be $162.16 in 2025.⁴ Accommodations in major markets can be even more, with 20.2% of hotels in those areas charging $200 per room or higher nightly on average.⁵ Round-trip same-day travel allows travelers to get a taste of a place they want to experience, with no hotel required. And the “notel” approach also means no bags to pack or check in — adding convenience and potentially more cost savings.⁶

Snagging an inexpensive flight is key to keeping extreme day trip costs at a minimum. Consumer Price Index data for June shows airline fares are down 3.5% year over year. On top of lower flight prices, some savvy extreme day-trippers tap into discounted all-you-can-fly subscriptions like the GoWild! $599 (and up) Annual Pass offered by Frontier Airlines, which allows members to book flights leaving the next day for just a penny.⁷ Some subscription websites can help nail down budget flights too — making it possible to visit new places in a day for as little as $30.⁸

Read more: Half of Americans say vacation memories are priceless, yet 1 in 3 plan to cut back travel spending

Plan with flexibility

Extreme day trips can be an opportunity for a quick change of scenery, or a way to knock places off a bucket list without breaking the bank. But sunrise-to-sunset travel may call for some flexibility. For example, adventurers who savor slow travel might opt for a less-hurried pace focused on one or two activities for the day, rather than creating a jam-packed itinerary. And depending on departure and travel times, some people may need to try to catch their Zzzs while on the plane.

Weather can be unpredictable too, so selecting destinations that have multiple same-day return flights could increase chances for a successful extreme day trip in the event of flight delays. 

Read more: Adding Value: How to travel smart and live a little