Pilot is bringing back National Road Trip Day with limited-time offers (LTOs), road trip giveaways and travel trend insights. Pilot teamed up with Campspot, a leading booking platform for campgrounds, RV parks and glamping resorts, to survery nearly 2,000 road trippers and reveal one of the biggest trends for this summer: the pop-up escape — a one to three night, flexible, budget-friendly getaway.
“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.”
Key findings from the 2025 Campspot x Pilot Summer Travel Survey:
- 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.
- Experience over agenda: 66% of travelers say the best part of a road trip is discovering hidden gems, while 62% enjoy making memories with family or friends and 61% love soaking in the scenic views.
- 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.
- The (nearby) great escape: 58% of travelers are heading to lakes or beaches this summer, followed by mountains or national parks (51%) and charming small towns (48%), with 57% of travelers saying they’ll travel 200 miles or less to get to their destination.
“Travelers are rewriting the rules of summer getaways by choosing closer escapes, simpler plans and spontaneous moments that bring genuine connection,” said Jeff Bettin, general manager, marketplace at Campspot. “Pop-up escapes show that it doesn’t take a faraway destination or a long itinerary to create something unforgettable. That’s why Campspot and Pilot are making it easier to discover the perfect place to stay, hit the road and experience the kind of escape that travelers need most this summer.”
To celebrate the season, Pilot is launching a $15,000 giveaway inviting travelers to share what calls them to the open road this summer. From May 23-30, 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.
Additionally, Pilot is introducing limited-time items like the Pilot Big Dog or jumbo crispy hot wings. Plus, customers can save by downloading Pilot’s app to unlock exclusive digital deals, including 10 cents off every gallon of gas, along with other special offers.
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot has nearly 900 locations in 44 states and five Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot and its partners offer trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards.
The company operates North America’s third largest fuel tanker fleet and supplies approximately 12 billion gallons of fuel per year.
