COLUMBUS, Ohio ― Millions of Americans are postponing far away travel plans because of the coronavirus.

What You Need To Know


  • Overall, summer travel is down 15 percent, according to AAA

  • Air, rail, cruise and other forms of transportation saw more than a 70 percent decrease compared to last summer

  • Americans are pushing back this year's travel plans for 2021

Columbus resident Phil O'Connor is planning a short road trip to Illinois.

"With everything going on right now, I'm not planning on going on any long vacations where I'm going to the airport or anything. I've got a 4th of July road trip planned, but certainly not getting on planes, not staying at a hotel or anything like that," he said.

He said he doesn't want to take the chance of getting sick.

"I'm just not comfortable with that. It's a very close environment on an airplane with a lot of strangers as opposed to just me and my family," he said.

According to AAA, overall travel is expected to be down 15 percent compared to last summer.

AAA spokesperson Kimberly Schwind said road travel faces the smallest decrease of about three percent. Meanwhile, all other forms of transportation are looking at steep declines.

"AAA forecasts a 74 percent decline in air travel over the summer, 86 percent decline in bus, rail, and cruise travel," Schwind said. "So when we look into 2021, we're seeing a huge increase in the number of people booking out a year ahead. They're looking ahead to the future when they will be able to take that cruise or maybe that international trip."

As for O'Connor, he is looking on the bright side.

"Definitely saving money. The gas for a road trip is certainly going to be cheaper than a plane ticket. No hotel reservations and overall, I typically do find road trips more enjoyable then getting on a plane," he said.

If you're planning a road trip click here for AAA's TripTik tool to see if you'll pass through any areas with COVD-19 travel restrictions.