End of the Staycation? 83% of Americans Plan Vacations Away From Home

Are the days of the staycation over? That's what a new survey says. Priceline found that 83 percent of Americans plan to get away from home this year when they take their next vacation, which is a huge difference compared to past years.

Surveys a few years back showed that 30 to 50 percent of Americans planned on taking a vacation close to home, but with an improved economy, Americans are now looking to get away and they're determined to make it happen, even if it means they need to come up with creative ways to save money.

"Staycations were popular between 2007 and 2010, when economic uncertainty had many Americans concerned about their finances and their jobs," said Priceline's Travel Ekspert, Brian Ek. "But anyone who's tried a staycation finds out very quickly that it's not very relaxing. There isn't that clean break with everyday responsibilities and activities, like checking in at the office and doing household chores. A vacation away from home lets people truly disconnect from the daily grind and recharge."

Americans are determined to take a vacation away from, but they're also determined the save money. Travelers are aware that travel is expensive and they've taken note of the prices. About 45 percent of respondents said that airfare has risen the most in the last five years, followed by gasoline (20%), hotel room rates (15%) and tickets to theme parks and other attractions (9%).

To try to save some money, Americans admitted to doing certain things during their trips. For instance, 31 percent said they have driven nonstop to their destination, 16 percent have packed a week's worth of food into a suitcase and cooler, 12 percent have stretched the day's food budget by smuggling free hotel breakfast items, and 11 percent have slept in their cars.

Americans are desperate to take a vacation as 87 percent of families surveyed said they return relaxed after taking a family break. The survey also found that mom is more in charge of vacation planning than dad is.