By Klarna
Klarna is partnering with Samantha Brown, Emmy-Award-winning TV host, to help you travel smarter and make the most of your trips this summer.
Summer 2024 is shaping up to be another busy travel season, but consumer preferences are changing. Traveler enthusiasm has cooled since the initial post-pandemic rush, as people are looking for more flexibility and spontaneity—and the travel industry is about to see that shift. Klarna conducted a survey focused on consumer travel habits and trends, uncovering insights into what travelers are looking to do and spend on this summer. According to the findings, 97% of people will travel this summer— the majority of these travelers will be Baby Boomers and Gen X—but the cost-of-living crisis is affecting summer travel plans, with consumers being more sensitive when choosing where to spend their money. As such, consumers are planning to travel to locations closer to home, with 71% of people planning to vacation in their home country, 22% planning to take a shorter trip this year, 32% will be looking for cheaper accommodations, and 25% will look for more affordable transportation options.
Considering our findings, current travel trends, and her travel expertise, Samantha curated a summer travel itinerary featuring the best on- and off-the-beaten-path spots to eat, experience, and stay on Route 2: the unexplored North, which is the perfect answer for all travelers' current woes.
Want to take the journey yourself? Use our flexible pay in 4 option to book your trip through our travel partners Airbnb, Expedia, Bookings.com, Hotels.com, and more. And if you need a little help on the packing list, check out Samantha's must-have travel essentials.
You could start East in Maine and head West, or start West in Washington and head East. I’m starting west as the state of Washington really kicks off what's going to be an automotive odyssey driving through stunning landscapes from dense forests, mountain peaks to an expanse of high desert. Washington is one heck of a way to start!
326 miles
Seattle is most likely the city you will be flying into to begin your journey. Here are a few of my favorite spots to enjoy that will make a great bon voyage.
80 miles
While this leg of Route 2 is only 80 miles across Idaho’s panhandle, the views on the drive pack a punch as you pass Lake Pend Oreille—a crystal blue lake surrounded by lush green forest.
650 miles
The longest expanse of Route 2 will have you thinking "We can’t still be in Montana!" The landscape changes several times throughout the 650 mile drive—from waterfalls and lakes, to valleys and snow-capped mountains.
358 miles
The drive through North Dakota is flat and rural but be on the lookout for miles and miles of wildflowers planted along the roadside throughout the state.
264 miles
Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and you’ll drive by quite a few of them on this 264 mile stretch of Route 2.
300 miles
This drive through the Upper Peninsula, or "The Up" as it's known, will have you going back in time as you see jaw dropping rock formations and beautifully preserved islands immersed in history.
306 miles
You’ve been riding along Lake Superior, now it's time to take Lake Michigan for a spin, and just maybe give your car a brief break while you enjoy one of North America’s most loved islands.
150 miles
Vermont is a natural beauty, and it offers a well needed slice of Americana as you drive past picture-perfect towns, covered bridges and trees—so, so many trees. You’ll make a note to come back in the fall.
35 miles
I grew up in New Hampshire, welcome to my home state! This is the shortest stretch of Route 2, but this beautiful, brief drive has you passing through small towns and historic homes, and:
180 miles
Maine isn’t just a state. It’s a state of mind, influenced by the lush and verdant landscapes that change from forests to mountains to sea—and sometimes all three all at once.
Ready to hit the road? Book your trip through our travel partners Airbnb, Expedia, Bookings.com, and Hotels.com using our flexible pay in 4 option. And if you still need a little help on the packing list, check out Samantha's must-have travel essentials.