Pilot is gearing up for National Road Trip Day (the Friday before Memorial Day) with a $15,000 summer giveaway, according to a press release. The giveaway invites consumers to share what “calls them to the open road” on social media—from May 23 – 30, 2025, “entries can be submitted by following @PilotFlyingJ on Instagram, liking the National Road Trip Day post and posting a photo or video sharing why they should win using the hashtag #PilotNRTDGiveaway. Three winners will be selected to receive $5,000 in cash and $1,000 in Pilot gift cards to fuel their journeys this summer.”
Ahead of the summer season, Pilot also partnered with Campspot, a booking platform for campgrounds, RV parks and glamping resorts, to survey nearly 2,000 road trippers. The results revealed that one of the biggest travel trends this summer will be the “pop-up escape,” “a one to three night, flexible, budget-friendly getaway,” Pilot said.
“National Road Trip Day marks the official start of summer travel and is an invitation for drivers to pack up, fuel up and enjoy the freedom and excitement of the open road,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, chief marketing officer at Pilot. “This summer, many travelers are fully embracing pop-up escapes, transforming road trips into unforgettable journeys. Whether you’re seeking the beauty of wide-open spaces or just exploring a roadside hidden gem, Pilot is out here to fuel your journey with everything you need to make the most of your miles.”
Pilot said the findings from the 2025 Campspot x Pilot Summer Travel Survey include:
- Short trips, big impact: 53% of travelers surveyed are planning more short trips or weekend getaways than in previous years, with more than 90% gearing up for pop-up escapes this summer—quick trips typically within driving distance of home.
- Road trip priorities: 84% say they most value the convenience of fuel, food and restrooms in one stop. The perfect playlist (56%) and meaningful conversations (54%) also top the list of road trip essentials.
- Snack strategy: More than half (57%) of travelers crave a mix of everything, opting for the perfect portable treat of salty and sweet to elevate the journey.
Last week, AAA projected that 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. That’s 1.4 million more travelers compared to last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record was set back in 2005 with 44 million people.
AAA estimates that 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. That’s an additional one million travelers compared to last year.