Survey Reveals Rise of “Pop-Up Escapes” and More Driver-Reported Trends Shaping Summer Travel, plus a $15,000 Giveaway to Fuel Journey Makers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As North America’s largest travel center network and the originator of National Road Trip Day, Pilot is revving up for the start of summer with limited-time offerings, the ultimate road trip giveaway and travel trends. Pilot teamed up with Campspot, the leading booking platform for campgrounds, RV parks and glamping resorts, to survey nearly 2,000 road trippers and reveal one of the biggest trends for this summer: the pop-up escape – a one to three night, flexible, budget-friendly getaway*.
“National Road Trip Day marks the official start of summer travel and is an invitation for drivers to pack up, fuel up and enjoy the freedom and excitement of the open road,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, chief marketing officer at Pilot. “This summer, many travelers are fully embracing pop-up escapes, transforming road trips into unforgettable journeys. Whether you’re seeking the beauty of wide-open spaces or just exploring a roadside hidden gem, Pilot is out here to fuel your journey with everything you need to make the most of your miles.”
Key findings from the 2025 Campspot x Pilot Summer Travel Survey:
- Short trips, big impact: 53% of travelers surveyed are planning more short trips or weekend getaways than in previous years, with more than 90% gearing up for pop-up escapes this summer—quick trips typically within driving distance of home.
- Experience over agenda: 66% of travelers say the best part of a road trip is discovering hidden gems, while 62% enjoy making memories with family or friends and 61% love soaking in the scenic views.
- Road trip priorities: 84% say they most value the convenience of fuel, food and restrooms in one stop. The perfect playlist (56%) and meaningful conversations (54%) also top the list of road trip essentials.
- Snack strategy: More than half (57%) of travelers crave a mix of everything, opting for the perfect portable treat of salty and sweet to elevate the journey.
- The (nearby) great escape: 58% of travelers are heading to lakes or beaches this summer, followed by mountains or national parks (51%) and charming small towns (48%), with 57% of travelers saying they’ll travel 200 miles or less to get to their destination.
“Travelers are rewriting the rules of summer getaways by choosing closer escapes, simpler plans and spontaneous moments that bring genuine connection,” said Jeff Bettin, general manager, Marketplace at Campspot. “Pop-up escapes show that it doesn’t take a faraway destination or a long itinerary to create something unforgettable. That’s why Campspot and Pilot are making it easier to discover the perfect place to stay, hit the road and experience the kind of escape that travelers need most this summer.”
National Road Trip Day Giveaway
To celebrate the season, Pilot is launching a $15,000 giveaway inviting travelers to share what calls them to the open road this summer. From May 23 – 30, 2025, entries can be submitted by following @PilotFlyingJ on Instagram, liking the National Road Trip Day post and posting a photo or video sharing why they should win using the hashtag #PilotNRTDGiveaway. Three winners will be selected to receive $5,000 in cash and $1,000 in Pilot gift cards to fuel their journeys this summer**.
Fuel for the Road
Whether heading out on a quick pop-up escape or a multi-day cross-country journey, every stop at Pilot is a chance to refuel, refresh and discover the joy of the open road. This summer, Pilot is your trusted wingman with welcoming spaces, convenient amenities and craveable food offerings like the limited-time legendary Pilot Big Dog or jumbo crispy hot wings. Plus, save by downloading Pilot’s app to unlock exclusive digital deals, including 10 cents off every gallon of gas, along with other special offers to fuel your journey***.
Experience all that Pilot is doing out here this summer by visiting pilotflyingj.com/summer and to read more about the survey findings visit campspot.com/about/pop-up-escape.
*Survey methodology: The survey was collaboratively developed by Pilot and Campspot and distributed by Campspot through an online survey between April 3 –11, 2025 targeting Campspot customers across North America. A total of 1,829 respondents participated in the survey.
**See pilotflyingj.com/national-road-trip-day-2025 for terms and conditions.
***For a limited time, members will receive a five cent ($0.05 USD) discount per gallon on the purchase of all variations of gasoline and auto diesel when you present your myRewards card, barcode in the myRewards Plus app, or phone number associated with myRewards account at time of purchase prior to fueling. Members can receive an additional five cent ($0.05 USD) discount per gallon (for a total discount of ten cents ($0.10 USD) per gallon) on the purchase of all variations of gasoline and auto diesel when you save the offer in the app each month and present your myRewards card, barcode in app or phone number associated with your myRewards account at time of purchase prior to fueling. Valid for gasoline fuel purchases only; not valid on DEF, propane, commercial diesel fuel or in-store purchases. Offer may be redeemed up to three times each day. Valid only at participating U.S. Pilot, Flying J and One9 branded, owned and/or operated locations. Not valid at dealer/licensee locations. Not valid in Canada. Not valid in New Jersey, Wisconsin or where prohibited or otherwise restricted. Purchase required. Invalid on prior purchases. Cannot be sold, bartered, or combined with other offers. No cash value, rain checks, or substitutions allowed. Offer may be modified or terminated at any time. Subject to myRewards terms and conditions. Other terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply. Data rates may apply.
About Pilot
Pilot Travel Centers LLC («Pilot») is committed to showing people they matter at every turn as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot has nearly 900 locations in 44 states and five Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot and its partners offer trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates North America’s third largest fuel tanker fleet and supplies approximately 12 billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot is shaping the future of energy as one of the largest providers of biodiesel and renewable fuels and through the development of its EV charging network and low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot, visit pilotflyingj.com.
About Campspot
Campspot is the go-to booking platform for RV, tent, and glamping sites across North America. With a simple and user-friendly app, campers can discover and reserve sites at thousands of parks, from family-friendly spots to secluded getaways. Whether you’re looking to plan a weekend trip or an epic adventure, Campspot helps you find your perfect destination and book your stay with ease. For more information, visit campspot.com or download the Campspot app.
Contacts
Krissy Patterson
Manager, External Marketing and Communications
Pilot
[email protected]
