To kick off the new year, Vrbo® has released its top drive-to destinations for 2022 based on vacation rental demand. With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, an increase in flight disruptions and cancellations, and changing international travel restrictions, families are again opting for domestic road trip destinations within a few hours’ drive from home.

Vrbo’s top drive-to destinations from major metro areas across the country include [1]:

From New York:

• Hamptons, New York (100 miles)
• Jersey Shore, New Jersey (85 miles)
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts (250 miles)

From Atlanta:

• Miramar and Rosemary Beach, Florida (300 miles)[AK1] 
• Hilton Head, South Carolina (280 miles)
• Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (255 miles)

From Chicago:

• Allegan, Michigan (150 miles)
• Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (245 miles)
• Traverse City, Michigan (320 miles)

From Dallas:

• Broken Bow, Oklahoma (170 miles)
• Galveston, Texas (290 miles)
• Fredericksburg, Texas (260 miles)

From Los Angeles:

• San Diego, California (120 miles)
• Mammoth Lakes, California (310 miles)
• San Luis Obispo, California (190 miles)

“We first saw families turn to road trips early in the pandemic when air travel was unpredictable. As COVID-19 continues to throw curveballs our way, many families are choosing to drive to their vacation destinations and visit vacation spots that are close to home,” said Alison Kwong, Vrbo spokesperson. “From every major region of the country, travelers can find a popular vacation destination within 300 miles on Vrbo, which is about a 3-4 hour car ride.”

Vrbo’s top emerging destinations from the 2022 Trend Report also indicate a continued interest in close-to-home road trip destinations. Vacation rental demand for emerging destinations, including Cincinnati, Ohio; Yorktown, Va; Niagara Falls, N.Y.; and Harrisburg, P.a., doubled year-over-year and the destinations are within driving distance of major metro areas in the Northeast and the Midwest. [2]

Families should check for travel advisories and restrictions in their vacation destination and always follow health and safety guidance from health officials and local authorities. Visit this help article for more information.

[1]: Based on U.S. Vrbo vacation rental demand for Sept. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021.

[2]: Based on U.S. Vrbo vacation rental demand for Sept. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021 vs. Sept. 1, 2019 – August 31, 2020.