Growing up, my childhood vacations were always road trips to visit my grandparents. My father would check over the car, and my mother would fill the cooler with snacks. Their careful planning made for wonderful vacations. It’s funny how modern travel still benefits from advanced planning and, of course, snacks. 

If you are dreaming of dusting off your suitcase and hitting the road, you are not alone. AARP’s 2026 Travel Trends survey reports nearly two-thirds of respondents planned to travel in 2026. Spending time with family and creating memories were the two top reasons for traveling. Survey respondents were just as likely to drive as they were to fly for domestic travel. 

Planning for travel may seem overwhelming. Using online travel sitesor travel agents can make planning and organizing a trip easier. AARP’s travel survey reported a fifty percent increase in using AI for travel planning, especially for comparing prices and finding travel deals. Savvy travelers often use loyalty discounts or rewards and then plan their travel outside of the peak seasonto help reduce expenses.  

Travel experts offer a myriad of packing tips. Smaller suitcases are easier to handle and using carry-on luggage saves on baggage fees. My packing rule is to never pack more than I can lift. Frequent travelers suggest bringing a small emergency kit and leaving space for souvenirs purchased along the way.  

For both domestic flights and international trips, having your IDs handy and up to date is a must. TSA’s website, tsa.gov, lists all acceptable travel identification documents for flying within the country. International travel requires a passport. The U.S. Department of State web site, travel.state.gov, has detailed information for traveling abroad. Both websites have useful checklists to help you plan your trip (including TSA-approved snacks!). Additionally, the State Department website offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that will send you email updates and security alerts from U.S. embassies about your destination.  

AARP’s Senior Consumer Insights Manager, Lona Choi-Allum, states that “older adults are adapting how they travel, not whether they travel.” Good advice, no matterour age. Online resources can help locate family-friendly and accessible hotels. AARP’s survey reports more people are using travel insurance, just to be on the safe side. Others are taking a more relaxed approach to vacations, doing less but having more time to unwind and enjoy themselves.There really is no wrong approach.  

Whether your summer plans include a cozy staycation, a road trip, or that bucket list destination, planning ahead can make your vacation time more relaxed and enjoyable. Just don’t forget to pack the snacks.   

Joyce Bucciantini is a retired middle school educator. She currently coordinates Delta Kappa Gamma’s Read to Me program, is a tutor with Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, and is an active AARP Maine volunteer. She enjoys her gardens, being outdoors and traveling. aarp.org/me · me@aarp.org · @aarpmaine · 866-554-5380