5 Compelling Reasons Why You Might Travel this Summer

Travel This Summer—Even If You’re Not Flying to Europe

Summer is here. The days are longer, the heat is real, and everything around you—from Instagram to your local ice cream shop—feels like a sign to get out and explore.

And maybe you’re thinking about it.
But then reality kicks in: flights are expensive, hotels cost more than your rent, and even a weekend road trip seems like a luxury.

Still—travel is worth it.

Even if you’re not flying off to Europe this year, there are plenty of ways to hit reset, get inspired, and soak up the season without breaking the bank.

If you live in Seattle (like I do), that could mean a mini escape to Lake Chelan—one of the best lakeside towns for an all-American summer getaway.

Yes, it’s pricey. Yes, everything from gas to iced lattes feels like too much lately. But experiences? They’re still worth collecting.

Whether it’s a one-day ocean road trip down the Washington coast or a two-night stay near the vineyards of Manson, these small breaks matter.
They remind you that life is bigger than your to-do list.

Compelling Reasons Why You Might Travel this Summer: You’ve Got a New Vehicle

Maybe you got yourself a new car recently.

You’ve driven around your city but feel like that’s not a proper test drive. You want a serious road trip now.

Driving might appeal, but exercise caution while taking a trip this summer. 

Distracted driving kills over eight US motorists daily across the nation, and highways should see heavy traffic during the busy summer months.

You are still, testing out your car’s capabilities while on a long trip might seem fun.

You can see what gas mileage it gets while you visit some states you’ve never seen before.

You Can Visit Some Relatives

Maybe you have some relatives across the country.

You stay in touch on social media, or perhaps you speak occasionally. You haven’t seen them for quite some time, though.

Staying close isn’t always easy, but it’s worthwhile. You can get back in touch when you visit them.

You might fly or drive, but you can meet their kids if you haven’t had the chance yet.

Maybe you’ll see aunts or uncles. You might visit cousins or siblings.

Whoever you choose, though, you can show you care when you visit. They’ll likely appreciate reconnecting.

You Need Downtime from Work

You may work a lot. You know you must do it since you need the money, but if you work all the time, that’s stressful.

You might put in many hours, and you deserve some downtime.

So many people let stress overtake them. They want that promotion, or they feel the whole place might fall apart without them.

That’s a potentially harmful attitude. You should have dedication, but you can’t let your work life consume you.

You can take some time off and use your vacation days.

While you do, you can spend time with the family as well. You see them every day, but you may not feel close.

That’s because you’re frequently working and thinking about work even when you’re not physically there.

You can break that cycle and catch up while you’re all in the car.

You might discuss what’s happening with each family member. That’s important, and you can’t neglect it.

You’ve Had Changing Circumstances

Maybe you haven’t traveled in quite some time, and since your last vacation, you’ve had some circumstances change.

Perhaps you’ve divorced your spouse or gone through a tough breakup. Maybe a pet died, or you got a new job.

Whether you had some good or bad changes in your life, you can recharge when you’re on vacation.

Sometimes, you need a new environment or atmosphere for a few days.

When you’re on vacation, you can reassess your life. You can reflect and think about your situation objectively since you’re far away and in a different mindset.

You might make some crucial decisions while vacationing.

You may realize you should take some specific action that didn’t seem obvious at home.

When you return, you can move decisively and make positive changes.

Travel This Summer: You Want Vacation Memories

Maybe you like your current life, but you’re in a rut. You know you love your spouse or partner, but you two always visit the same restaurant and get the same food.

You follow the same routine and can’t escape it.

You might want some vacation memories you can cherish. You can look back and remember a time when you broke the routine and did something wild and crazy.

You might also take a trip where you see some Americana or visit a different country you’ve always admired.

You can take many videos and pictures and get some souvenirs.

You might place them on your shelves at home when you get back. 

You’ll enjoy the break, and when you return, you’ll feel refreshed. You’ve shaken things up, and that’s usually smart. You can refocus and realize what matters.