Convenience Charge: Gas Prices, Kids, EVs Drive Labor Day Travel As Labor Day weekend approaches to signal the end of summer, an extra day also looms to squeeze in one last ride for the season. In 2021, Labor Day travel was largely affected by pandemic fears as many travelers chose to drive rather than fly, but the 2022 survey showed that the deciding factors have now largely shifted to comfort and gas prices, while families with young children And electric car owners report unique motivations (and challenges) to travel.
Convenience Charge: Gas Prices, Kids, EVs Drive Labor Day Travel
Planes, trains, or cars?
Convenience Charge: Gas Prices, Kids, EVs Drive Labor Day Travel
Shoppers in the market for a new car can reduce pain at the pump by using a gas-powered model, hybrid vehicle, or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Those who want to bypass the gas station completely can look for an all-electric car (more on that below).
Hit the roads with the kids in the clouds
Convenience Charge: Gas Prices, Kids, EVs Drive Labor Day Travel
Although it may be the simplest route, driving with young children comes with its own set of considerations. For one, a vehicle must be able to accommodate one or more car seats safely and comfortably. According to the survey, nearly half of travelers plan to bring children with them on the trip, and 63% will have one or two children in car seats.
Best cars for car seats
Minivans and midsize SUVs usually come to mind when thinking of family pickup trucks, but the annual Cars.com can help families decide the best vehicle for car seat accommodations no matter what they’re shopping for. SUVs dominated the honor roll for 2022: the Acura RDX, Audi Q5 Sportback and Cadillac XT5 came out on top, along with electric options including the Ford Escape PHEV, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID 4.
Can electric vehicles be on the road?
Convenience Charge: Gas Prices, Kids, EVs Drive Labor Day Travel
Even with low fuel prices, the biggest benefit of getting stuck on the road in a battery-powered car is saving money on gas. Among those surveyed, 65% said fuel savings was the primary benefit, followed by environmental impact (58%) and a comfortable ride (56%).
Scope requirements
Electric vehicles can be especially suitable for weekend commuters who are close to home. Of the 64% of people who plan to travel, more than 50% stay within 100 miles; A shorter trip reduces the number of times drivers will need to find a generic charger on the road. Prospective electric vehicle owners planning to venture away from home should consider a. Tesla holds many of the top spots, though Lucid Air currently tops the list at 520 miles.
Although luxury brands currently dominate the longer-range model list, mass market vehicles are slowly introducing more competitive range frontiers. Long range is a maximum of 310 miles, and associated with a maximum of 303 miles.
planning it
Convenience Charge: Gas Prices, Kids, EVs Drive Labor Day Travel
According to the survey results, 74% of electric vehicle owners draw charging stations along their route; This is significantly higher than the 55% of gas car owners who charge gas stations before traveling. More respondents reported using the stations (47%) than (36%); Level 1 charging is the 17% least popular option. However, taking a trip in an electric car may require flexibility when it comes to their charging plans: Even with more public charging stations installed across the country, many owners do, according to a recent study from J.D. Power.
Shoppers looking for a new car with future trips in mind should consider their priorities, which may include fuel efficiency, range (in the case of electric vehicles), or car seat accommodations. Focusing on vehicles that meet these qualifications can help narrow the list of options and make road trips something to look forward to, not worry about.
