True or false? What the numbers say about travelling in USA
You think the United States is limited to New York? That a road trip has to be in an RV? Or that it’s an overpriced destination? Welcome to our True or False about traveling in the USA. Here, we put common misconceptions to the test with real numbers. We promise, you might be surprised!
0. Rising fuel prices in 2026 have a huge impact on a US travel budget
FALSE. Fuel prices have increased, but their effect on the overall cost of a US trip remains modest. It’s still a secondary expense. For a 3,500 km road trip, the additional cost typically ranges from £45 to £90, depending on the vehicle’s fuel consumption (around 210 to 385 litres over that distance).
1. Travelers mostly go to New York, myth or reality?
FALSE. Only 7.5% of Authentik USA trips are in the East, compared to 92.5% in the West, so New York is far from the main destination. In reality, travelers dream more of wide open spaces, legendary parks, and iconic road trips than of urban city breaks.
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2. People say a road trip in the USA is above all by RV, true or false?
FALSE. Historically, travelers are split 50% by car and 50% by RV, so there isn’t one dominant way to travel in the USA. In reality, it all depends on the travel style you’re after, total freedom and immersion in nature with an RV, or comfort and flexibility with a car.
3. Is it true that the United States is a very expensive travel destination?
FALSE. With an average budget of $5,747 per adult for an average stay of 17.8 nights (2022-2025 data), the United States is in the average range for long-haul destinations. Above all, it depends on the length and style of your trip.
By optimizing the duration, pace, and itinerary, it’s totally possible to take a USA road trip that fits your budget.
4. Are the United States really family-friendly for travelers?
TRUE. The United States is among the most family-friendly travel destinations, with 72.86% of Authentik trips identified as family trips.
5. Is it true that the Grand Canyon is the most requested stop in the West?
TRUE. The Grand Canyon is definitely a must, with 78.67% of Western trips including this stop. It’s hard to do a road trip in the West without visiting this legendary site, as it alone embodies the sheer scale of American landscapes.
6. Is Universal Studio the most booked activity in the West, true or false?
FALSE. The most booked activity in the West isn’t Universal Studios, but Antelope Canyon, which tops 2025 reservations. Universal Studios only comes in 4th, showing that travelers prioritize natural landscapes above all!
- Antelope Canyon
- Monument Valley
- Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon
7. Does the political climate in the USA make the country less pleasant to visit?
FALSE. With an average score of 4.67/5 in 2025, travelers remain extremely satisfied with their experience in the United States. On the ground, the political climate is barely felt during a classic road trip, especially in tourist regions and national parks.
8. Is it necessary to book your trip to the United States 6 months in advance?
TRUE. Travelers book on average 203 days in advance, which is a little over 6 months for a US road trip. It’s not mandatory, but planning ahead gives you more choices and better conditions, especially on popular routes.
9. Is Los Angeles really travelers’ favorite city?
FALSE. Los Angeles attracts 60.10% of travelers who take a road trip in the West, but it is outdone by Las Vegas, which features in 80.18% of Western US road trips. In other words, Los Angeles is a major stop... but not the favorite. San Francisco even does slightly better with 62.11% presence in Authentik USA travelers' itineraries.
10. People say it would take months to take a trip in the West without missing anything, true or false?
FALSE. With an average of 18.1 nights in the West, it is entirely possible to enjoy a complete road trip without spending months there. Here’s an overview of average trip durations in the USA between 2022 and 2025 (Authentik USA data):
| Indicator | Eastern USA | Western USA | USA (global average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average duration | 14.3 nights | 18.1 nights | 17.82 nights |
| Number of stops | 7.5 stops | 11.1 stops | 10.9 stops |
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Summary Table of Misconceptions about Traveling in the USA
| Misconception | True or False | What Authentik USA data says |
|---|---|---|
| Most travelers go mainly to New York | False | 92.5% of road trips take place in the West, far from New York |
| US road trips are mostly done in RVs | False | Balanced split: about 50% car, 50% RV |
| Traveling the United States is very expensive | False | Average budget ≈ $323/day/adult for a 17.8-night trip |
| The USA is not very family-friendly | False | 72.86% of trips are made as a family |
| The Grand Canyon is the most requested stop | True | 78.67% of Western itineraries include the Grand Canyon |
| Universal Studios is the most frequently booked activity | False | Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Grand Canyon flight dominate |
| The political climate makes travel unpleasant | False | Average satisfaction score: 4.67/5 in 2025 |
| You have to book a long time in advance | True | Average anticipation of 203 days (≈ 6.5 months) |
| Los Angeles is travelers’ favorite city | False | Las Vegas leads with 80.18% of itineraries |
| It takes months to visit the American West | False | Average duration: 18.1 nights with ~11 stops |
We’ve all heard “truths” about the United States: too expensive, too complicated, too touristy… But when you look at the numbers more closely, the reality is often quite different. With this article, we wanted to go beyond perceptions and second-hand information by sharing what our data actually shows after organizing thousands of road trips. And sometimes, it really shakes up preconceived ideas…! Justine
About the author
![Justine De Bandt]()
Justine De Bandt
Montreal, Quebec
I’ve swapped my Normandy raincoats for the vast landscapes of North America! Too curious to stay still (and admittedly a bit of a chatterbox), I love passing on my discoveries, hoping they’ll inspire others to go and see for themselves.
I’ve swapped my Normandy raincoats for the vast landscapes of North America! Too curious to stay still (and admittedly a bit of a chatterbox), I love passing on my discoveries, hoping they’ll inspire others to go and see for themselves.
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