For years, summer vacation has felt like a normal part of life for many Americans. It didn’t have to be an expensive international trip. A weekend at the beach, a road trip to another state, or a few days visiting family could be enough to break up the summer routine.

This year, though, many households are taking a harder look at what they can actually afford. Travel costs have become harder to fit into already-stretched budgets, and some people are choosing to stay home altogether.

A new survey found that 37% of Americans don’t plan to take a single trip this summer. Money was the biggest reason. More than half of those staying home said they couldn’t afford to travel right now.

The results show just how much financial pressure is affecting summer plans. People still want time away, but for many households, a vacation has become something they have to weigh against bills, savings goals, and debt.

Travel Is Getting Harder to Fit Into the Budget

A vacation doesn’t have to be extravagant to become expensive.

Flights, hotels, gas, meals, rental cars, and activities can add up quickly. Even a short getaway can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on where you’re going and how many people are traveling with you.

Among people who aren’t taking a trip this summer, 25% said they’re trying to save money, while 22% are focusing on paying down debt. Another 21% pointed to rising travel costs as a reason for staying home.

For households already trying to keep up with grocery bills, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and other everyday expenses, vacation spending can be one of the easiest things to cut.

People Who Are Traveling Are Spending More Carefully

Not everyone is giving up on summer travel. Many people are still planning to get away, but they’re changing how they do it.

The survey found that 31% of travelers are being more careful about their spending. Another 25% are choosing less expensive destinations. Some are also cutting their trips shorter or looking for places closer to home.

That can mean replacing a weeklong vacation with something much simpler:

A day trip
A long weekend
A nearby beach or lake
A road trip
A local staycation
A short getaway lasting only a few days

These options can still provide a break without leaving someone with a large credit card bill afterward.

Staycations Are Having a Moment

One interesting part of the survey is the growing interest in vacations that don’t require going very far.

Respondents expect staycations, where people spend their time off close to home, to be one of the bigger travel trends this year. Quietcations, which focus more on rest and unplugging, and micro-cations, which are short trips, also made the list.

That makes sense for people who want a change of pace without spending a fortune.

A staycation could mean booking a hotel in a nearby town, spending a weekend at a local campground, visiting attractions you’ve never gotten around to seeing, or simply taking a few days off work and staying home.

Sometimes the goal isn’t to go somewhere far away. It’s just to have a few days where nobody has to rush to work, school, or the usual list of chores.

Families Are Rethinking What a Vacation Should Cost

For many families, the question isn’t whether they want to travel. It’s whether the trip is worth the financial strain.

A vacation can be wonderful, but coming home to a large credit card balance can take some of the enjoyment out of it. Families who are already trying to build savings or pay down debt may decide that skipping one summer trip is a better choice.

That doesn’t mean people have stopped wanting experiences. They’re just finding less expensive ways to get them.

A picnic at a nearby park, a weekend road trip, a visit to relatives, or a few quiet days at home can still give people a break from their normal routine.

Staying Home Doesn’t Mean Missing Out

The idea of a “no vacation summer” might sound disappointing, but staying home can also give people a chance to spend their money differently.

Instead of putting thousands of dollars toward airfare and hotels, some families may use the money to catch up on bills, build an emergency fund, pay down a credit card, or simply keep more money in the bank.

For people who are already feeling financial pressure, that peace of mind may be worth more than a week away.

Summer travel isn’t disappearing, but it is becoming more selective for many Americans. Some are taking shorter trips, some are staying closer to home, and others are skipping travel altogether.

After a few years of higher everyday costs, plenty of people are deciding that it’s okay to have a quieter summer if it helps them feel more comfortable financially.