Americans reveal whom theyd most like to go on a long road trip with: survey

Nearly one in three Americans is experiencing “friendship FOMO,” according to new research.A survey of 2,000 American drivers found that the summer travel season is ramping up, but for millions of Americans, it’s also a reminder of something they’re missing: time with their closest friends.Results found that 32 percent say they miss the way they used to spend time with their closest friend, with one in eight not having seen their bestie in over a year.The barriers are familiar: conflicting schedules (44 percent) and living too far apart (44 percent) top the list.Twenty-eight percent of respondents cited travel costs as a top barrier.Commissioned by Jiffy Lube and conducted by Talker Research, the survey found that one in four reported being dissatisfied with the amount of quality, in-person time they get with their closest friends — the summer travel season may be just the occasion respondents need to get back in touch.Sixty percent of Americans are already planning or considering a road trip this summer — and among those, more than a third (35 percent) are hoping to bring their best friend along.When it comes to choosing a travel companion, one in five respondents said their best friend is their all-time favorite road trip partner — and the same percentage of respondents said having their besties along made for the best road trips.For many Americans, road trips aren’t just vacations — they’re friendship accelerators.

Among those who’ve traveled with a close friend, 69 percent said a road trip created more meaningful quality time than months of regular plans combined, while nearly two-thirds (65 percent) said those trips have been crucial to maintaining their bond.Many can’t wait to do it again, as 73 percent of respondents who have road-tripped with a close friend rate it as more enjoyable than other types of trips.“Great road trips aren’t just about the destination — they’re about the moments shared with friends along the way,” s...