Europe proves top holiday road tripping destination

Over 17.5 million Britons have taken a holiday road trip in the last 12 months. Indeed, from epic trips down Route 66 to caravan holidays in Skegness, holidaying British motorists completed the equivalent of six hundred thousand journeys around the world last year. The average road tripper covered 861 mileson holiday, the equivalent of driving from Portsmouth to Prague.

Going green?

Just one percent (66,000) of Britons planning a road trip in the next 12 months intend to hire a hybrid car. Instead they intend to opt for a mid-size car such as a Ford Focus 17% (653,000), followed by a people carrier 6% (405,000) and compact 11% (404,000). Over 300,000 Brits will be taking their home on the road, travelling via campervan, or taking a caravan. Almost half (3,477,000) Britons will be taking their own car on their holiday road trip.

Travellers opting for a hybrid car could cut their fuel emissions by a third compared to a standard petrol engine vehicle, cumulatively saving tonnes of carbon emissions each year. Halifax Travel insurance has calculated by opting for a greener car, such as a Toyota Prius, a Briton abroad driving the average holiday mileage (816 miles) in the USA would save 53% on their fuel costs compared to a Ford Focus. Drivers covering the same distance in France could save over £30 on their holiday fuel bills.

Favourite road trip locations for Britons travelling in the next 12 months:

Europe (4,882,000)
North America (407,000)
Australia (260,000)
South America (141,000)
Asia (132,000)
Africa (89,000)

Paul Birkhead, senior manager of pricing and underwriting for Halifax Travel Insurance said: “From Easy Rider to Road Trip, popular culture has glamorised heading out on the open road. Millions of Britons have been inspired to hit the highway and embrace the freedom provided by a holiday road trip. However, the fuel emissions from these holiday road trips have a significant environmental impact. Britons can reduce the ecological impact caused by these road trips by switching to hybrid powered cars, which will not only benefit the environment but the money you could save on fuel is enough to pay for your annual travel insurance."

“Halifax Travel Insurance advises Britons heading abroad on a road trip to familiarise themselves with the rules of the road. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office highlights foreign roads as amongst the top five locations for injuries to occur to British holidaymakers. Britons should always aim to hire a vehicle from a reputable firm and ensure you wear a helmet if driving a moped or motorbike.”

Halifax Travel Insurance is advising British holidaymakers not to rely solely on the insurance for their hire car to protect them while on holiday. Car insurance for a hire car will not cover the breadth of risks covered by most travel insurance policies.