2025 Summer Travel Trends

It's no secret that travelers are spending less on travel this year. Everything is more expensive and also completely unpredictable. Some of us are still traveling as usual, but doing so on an even stricter budget. I have to get out of here, but I also don't have the same money as I usually do. Let's look at the other travel trends happening right now with summer travel:

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I just went to Las Vegas earlier this month, took an overnight trip 2 hours away for a family reunion, and will be traveling again at the end of September, right as summer, technically, ends and I'll be going out of the country. I know a lot of folks are concerned about leaving the U.S. and trying to return, which is valid, so we'll see how that works out for us. I'm highly aware of my privlege when it comes to that, though. I'm white, I have global entry, and I don't have issues traveling normally. I did get flagged as a "random check" on this last flight I took, but they just tested my phone for whatever they test electronics for, gave it back, and sent me on my way. It took 30 seconds. I often wonder if I have been flagged so often because I have a foreign-sounding name. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about that, short of go legally change it to something American sounding. That seems like a lot of effort for something I don't want to do, though.

Anyway, let me know what your travel plans are for the rest of the year or in 2026, or what concerns are weighing you down right now, because I'm sure there are a lot.

My Favorite Road Trip Tips

Are you planning a road trip soon? I've taken so many road trips that I feel like everything is second-nature now, but I realize a lot of people are just dipping their toe into road tripping and probably don't have those same instincts. For you, I bring you some of my favorite tips.

A road trip can be long and boring if you don't plan it right. If you do, it can be a great way to see a lot of interesting stuff, listen to some cool music and podcasts, and give you a whole new way to travel. Whether you're taking a long or short trip doesn't really matter. You pretty much want to do all the same things, just maybe take less food/snacks.

Get your car checked out first

You don't want to get halfway to your destination and then have your car break down over something that could have been prevented. If you can, get AAA, get a tune-up, check your tires, and make sure you have a safety kit in your car for any breakdowns. I also keep a 2-liter bottle of water in my car, a blanket, a travel towel, a larger first aid kit, and a Halo Bolt. All of these things take up not that much space and can be invaluable if you need them.

Hydration

I travel with someone who drinks a lot of liquids, so I have a small cooler bag that I fill with preferred beverages that I keep cool with frozen water bottles and large ice packs I make out of Stasher bags filled with water. They don't leak and can be used for food, snacks, and other small things while on our trip. It's easier than buying ice and lasts much longer, too. Put your drinks on the floor of the backseat, where it is easy to reach for the passenger, so you don't have to keep stopping when you need a new drink.

Snacks & Food

If you're traveling a short distance, then a bag of snacks is great to have on-hand. I either keep it on the floor next to me (on the passenger side) or put it within easy reach near our drinks. If you're traveling a longer distance, then you're going to want to have a separate bag with more substantial foods. Even if I'm traveling alone, I have granola bars, chips, dip, and something sweet. I will then pack a cooler with fruit, cheese, lunch meats, potato salad, fried chicken, and cut up veggies, like carrots, to have a meal when I stop at a rest area or a park. It saves money and gives you a reason to stop and stretch your legs for more than 2 minutes.

Plan Stops

Listen, being in the car for long stretches is booooring, even if you're listening to a great book or playing games. I use Google Maps before I leave to see what's available along my route and pick some things that sound fun to stop and check out. You need to stretch your body and walk around, so make those stops more fun than just walking through the rest area to the bathroom and looking at brochures for places you don't need...though oftentimes they will have coupons for places you're near and you might save some money on somewhere you were planning to go anyway, so don't pass those up either.

Bring Entertainment

Load up your phone with podcasts, books, and music that you love or don't have time to listen to normally. This is your chance to catch up on those things. It also helps when you're in the middle of nowhere and there aren't any radio stations. If you're traveling with kids, bring them books, travel games, video games (this is the time), movies, and whatever else they always want to do, but you don't want them to stare at screens for 12 hours a day. Ask them where they want to stop along the way, too, so they have something to look forward to. These backseat car organizers are great for all their things.

Chargers

Don't get stuck 5 hours from where you're stopping for the day with dead phones and tablets. Remember all your chargers and make sure you have cords that are long enough to reach the backseat if you need them. Back-up batteries are also a great thing to have. This one allows you to charge several things at once and even has attached power cords.

Paper Map & Emergency Numbers

Yes, you have your phone with GPS, but sometimes things don't go as planned. Make sure you have contact numbers and addresses on paper and also a map, just in case. If you don't need them, that's fine, but if you do, you'll be so grateful you were prepared.

Pack Sparingly

Again, I know you have all the space to bring things with you when you road trip, but that doesn't mean you should cram everything you own in there. You should still pack light and only bring things you need. It is nice that you have a place for that extra pair of shoes and your coat, but you don't want to have to drag 5 suitcases into every hotel you stop at, because that's annoying and because you can't leave them in the car where people will see you are traveling and break in and steal all your stuff. Be mindful of what you need and what you don't. It really makes your trip more comfortable and less of a hassle. 

What are some of your favorite tips for a great road trip?

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How To Downsize Your Toiletries

When we travel, we might want to bring everything we normally use everyday with us, but if you have a beauty routine that requires a lot of stuff, that can absolutely become a whole bag all on its own. Now, I'm not saying to completely abandon your skincare routine or just deal with limp or frizzy hair, but you don't need a hundred full-size containers to recreate your favorite look(s) on vacation.

There are certain rules I follow when I travel, every time I travel. I'll share with you:

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• Decant into smaller containers. I use HumanGear gotubbs in small and medium and contact lens cases for things like moisturizer, cc cream, hyaluronic acid, night cream, etc. Label them and toss those in your bag. I only use 2 cases, so I just use a Sharpie to put M or CC. Whatever works for you that you'll remember.
• I bring toothpaste tabs, because they're less wasteful than those tiny tubes and won't ooze out in your bag. I prefer Bite brand. They come in reusable glass bottles, which you can take with you or put fewer in a different container.
• Use those minis you're always getting with your makeup order or ask the folx at Sephora or Ulta if they have any freebies when you check out.
• Get travel size haircare tools. I have this one from Conair that I've been using for probably 15 years. It curls and straightens, works just as good, if not better, than my full size one at home.
• Look into solid shampoo and conditioner like these from Viori Beauty that are teeny and made with rice water to really make your hair look amazing. They all smell delicious, too, and won't make a mess in your bag. If you buy the bigger size, you can always cut them in half to save space.
• Don't, don't, DON'T forget sunscreen! I use whatever sport version on my body (Trader Joe's has a great one) but I spend more on a facial one that won't break me out and does multiple jobs, like this one from It Cosmetics that blends flawlessly into my makeup routine. I also use it on my hair part, so my head doesn't get burned. Cancer is no joke!

I talked to someone not that long ago that said "I hate putting stuff in smaller containers. I ain't doing all that," but that's how you save space, weight, and money, so I guess if you want to lug a bunch of extra stuff and probably also waste $25-50 each way to chec your bag, go for it, but I'm not doing all that. I'd much rather take that money and go out to eat or do something fun that I might not have had the money for otherwise. 

Again, if you're not a video person, don't worry. I'll be working on a static photo post soon along with a regular packing post that isn't this video one I made for you. If you want to see more videos like this, I add extra things on my Instagram than I share here.

I have a variety of toiletry bags of all sizes and price points, but I've been taking this one from Gravel, and I promise a review is coming, because I can corral everything in one place. It comes with its own "wet" bag for liquids that fits in a larger compartment inside, that I also use for my flat iron, face sheets (I cut one into 4), brush/comb, and meds. It fits perfectly into the bottom of my backpack. I'm also a big fan of the Travelon Wet/Dry bag, especially for trips where I want to take a lot less. I have packed it flat to fit into the front pocket of my little roller.

What items are the most challenging for you to pack in your toiletry bag?

Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!