Nearly 90% of Americans Stayed Stateside This Summer, According to New Study

A new study from research firm Leger reveals that summer 2025 was the season of staying home.

The Statue of Liberty over the Scene of New york cityscape river side which location is lower manhattan,Architecture and building with tourist concept — Photo credit: TZIDO SUN // Shutterstock.com

The vast majority of Americans chose road trips and domestic getaways over international adventures, and Canadians weren’t far behind.

While prices were the main reason people skipped bigger trips, politics still played an unexpected role, especially for those deciding whether to cross the U.S.–Canada border.

Nearly 90% Stayed in the U.S.
According to Leger, nearly nine in ten American leisure travelers kept their summer vacations within the United States. Only about 5 percent ventured into Canada, and fewer still traveled beyond North America. In total, just 38 percent of Americans took a leisure trip at all, while the rest stayed home.

Cost Was the Biggest Barrier
Forty-five percent of Americans said travel expenses made them change their plans—whether that meant canceling, postponing, or choosing somewhere cheaper. Another third cited personal schedules or family conflicts, and about one in four blamed the weather. Political factors, including U.S.–Canada tensions, barely registered.

Canada, Ottawa - July 1, 2024: People walking on Sparks street in downtown on Canada day — Iryna Tolmachova / Shutterstock

Canada Remains a Niche Destination
Canada drew few American visitors this summer, but there’s still potential. The study found that 35 percent of Americans are open to a future trip north of the border, particularly younger travelers and those in nearby border states.

Canadians Stayed Closer to Home Too
Across the border, Canadians were just as homebound—though for different reasons. Forty-two percent took a leisure trip this summer, and more than half never left their own province. Only 13 percent traveled to the United States, a steep drop from 2024. Many cited political tensions and tariffs as reasons for changing their plans.

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD, USA- February 24, 2024: Donald Trump speaks at an event about his plan for defeating current President Joe Biden in November. — Photo credit: Jonah Elkowitz // Shutterstock.com

Politics Turned Canadians Away
The political climate appears to be taking a toll. Nearly 60 percent of Canadians said they feel less open to visiting the U.S. than they did six months ago. Just 8 percent said they feel more open. Younger adults were the most willing to consider U.S. travel, while older Canadians were the least.

Two Markets Moving in Opposite Directions
The contrast is striking: Americans stayed home for practical reasons, while Canadians stayed home for political ones. Leger calls it a “resilient domestic market” on both sides of the border—but one with missed opportunities for cross-border tourism.

For the U.S., that means promoting affordability and flexibility to keep travelers moving. For Canada, it’s a reminder that rebuilding trust and positioning itself as a safe, welcoming alternative could bring more visitors north.

(Source: Leger’s “Canadian and U.S. Travel Behaviour” report, October 2025)

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