SHOLEH: Survey: Summer roadtrippers staying in-state

According to a 2019 AAA report, 53 percent of American families take an annual road trip. This year it seems not only is that number estimated at 10 percent higher, but most of us plan to stay in-state when we hit the road, venturing an average 115 miles.

A relatively small online survey of 2,000 people, conducted by OnePoll and Commissioned by Cooper Tires, found that 63 percent of Americans and exactly half of Idahoans plan at least one in-state road trip this summer. Many of those had up to three road trips planned, mostly revolving around nature.

The survey also found Americans’ summer destinations of choice include: Nearby lake/river (51 percent), national monument (50 percent), state or national park (47 and 46 percent), and campsites (44 percent).

Once there, favored activities include camping (41 percent — odd, with 44 percent going?), swimming (40 percent), fishing (38 percent), and hiking or rock climbing (34 percent).

So if you’re going, you’re in good company. Let’s add some trivia to get you in the mood.

When was the U.S. highway system born? When President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in June 1956, funding and planning it.

How many miles of roads in the U.S.? More than 4 million. The longest is U.S. Route 20 with 3,365 miles from Newport, Ore. to Boston, Mass.

How many major parks in the U.S.? Sixty-three national parks, 423 national park sites, and 8,565 state parks. The first was — you probably guessed it — Yellowstone, declared the first national park by President Grant in 1872.

Which national park is most visited? Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about four hours outside Nashville, Tenn., averages more than 10 million visitors annually. However, California is the state with the most, at nine national parks, followed by Alaska’s eight.

Idaho has six national parks and a whopping 27 state parks. No shortage of adventurous possibilities for communing with nature right here in “Idahome.”

Drive safely, and have fun!

See more results from the OnePoll survey at https://swnsdigital.com/2021/05/wanderlust-has-many-americans-looking-to-get-in-touch-with-mother-nature-this-summer/.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who misses roadtripping. Email Sholeh@cdapress.com.