Study find 40% of Americans have never left the country (2024)

They say there's no place like home, but for some Americans, that couldn't be more true, because quite a huge number have never left the country.

An impressive 40 per cent of Americans admitted that they have never left the country, with 792 people out of a poll group of 2,000 making the rather surprising confession.

And according to the same research, an amazing 11 per cent of survey respondents have never even traveled outside of the state where they were born.

That might explain why well over half of those surveyed (54 per cent) said they've visited ten states or fewer.

The new study, conducted by market researchers OnePoll, and commissioned by travel luggage provider Victorinox, explored the nation's travel experiences and the barriers preventing people from exploring more.

Results showed that there is a strong desire to travel, with 76 per cent wanting to travel more than they do currently, but a lack of finances or simply feeling unprepared and ill-equipped are preventing many.

However over half of respondents have never even owned a passport.

This may change this year as the Real ID Act 2005 insists state-issued ID cards meet minimum security standards.

Presently, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Caroline and Washington do not meet these standards, meaning their residents will need to get a passport to travel by air within the US, from January 22.

In 2009, Americans travelling to Canada and Mexico were no longer able to rely on their state-issued IDs to cross the border.

This measure was implemented by Homeland Security in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

With regards to air travel, 13 per cent say they have never flown at all.

So, apart from travel documents, what else is holding people back from taking that trip they have in mind?

For many, it's not just a lack of feeling prepared or equipped to travel, it's about finances.

The cost of travel and leisure proves to be a barrier for many Americans with 63 per cent of Americans who have never left the country revealing a the trip is out of their price range.

Time is also a factor, with 25 per cent admitting that they just can't find the time to travel, but three quarters of respondents said they would definitely like to travel more than they do.

However, most of those surveyed expressed their desire to travel, with 85 per cent saying they like to experience new things and nearly 60 per cent saying they have a list of places in mind they'd like to see.

In fact, only one in ten say they have no interest in going anywhere.

A spokesperson for Victorinox said: 'The results show that the vast majority of people have the desire to travel more but just haven't quite been able to make the leap yet.'

'There is so much to see and explore, not just internationally but domestically as well, and it's remarkable to see that so many people feel unprepared or don't have the travel luggage that enables them to pack up and set off.

'Given how many respondents strongly desire to venture out into the world, we fully understand the need to provide reasonable and dependable travel solutions for new travelers.'

The Victorinox survey went on to ask about people's luggage, with 60 per cent saying that size and functionality were their most important qualities in a bag.

However, 30 per cent of those polled haven't bought new luggage in six or more years, and 13 per cent of those polled don't even own luggage bags of any kind.