A new poll by AAA Travel finds South Dakota residents making big plans to get away this summer despite the highest gas prices in years. In fact, 30% of South Dakota residents surveyed say they are planning to travel more this summer than last summer, and many say it will be their first significant summer travel since before the pandemic.
“The results of this new AAA Travel poll indicate that COVID concerns have eased dramatically and the majority of South Dakota residents are making plans to get away despite gas prices,” says AAA South Dakota spokesman Shawn Steward. “While domestic travel will dominate, it is interesting to note the number of people making plans to travel internationally as well. That’s something we have not seen since 2019.”
70% of those surveyed say they are planning at least one trip of more than 50 miles from home this summer – with 57% saying they are planning multiple trips.
By the Numbers
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70% of South Dakotans planning a trip of 50 miles or more this summer
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30% of South Dakota residents planning to travel MORE than last summer
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14% of South Dakota residents are planning their first significant summer travel since before the pandemic
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57% of South Dakotans planning multiple trips
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Of those traveling, 88% are doing so domestically; 2% are planning international travel; and 11% are planning to travel both domestically and internationally
Gas Prices
38% of South Dakota residents say gas prices were not even a consideration in their travel planning but:
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48% say they are taking fewer or shorter trips because of gas prices
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14% say they will adjust their budget for lodging or dining out because of gas prices
For those who are staying home or are unsure about their summer travel plans, more than 40% cite gas prices as the biggest factor influencing that decision.
COVID Concerns
Of the significant number of South Dakotans planning to travel more this summer than last:
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32% say it is because their personal COVID concerns have eased
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22% say it is because travel concerns have eased at their destinations
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