6 extra tips for couples planning a Valentine’s Day road trip

Romance travel, Valentine’s Day escapes, and other related holidays are trending higher, particularly short vacations and road trips. In 2025, romance travel, including couple-only vacations, jumped 42% from last year, and couples feel that travel is one of the most important shared experiences. Travelers are also leveraging technology, as 80% use travel apps to plan, book, and manage their trips to minimize stress during holidays.

Here are six additional tips based on the truth and what’s trending to make your Valentine’s Day road trip a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Manoj Soni, CEO of YoloBus & and EasyGreenMobility suggests some handy tips for a stress-free journey.

The volumes of holiday travel tend to be higher on weekends around Valentine’s Day than on an average winter week. Although not as busy as other peak holidays for travel, congestion on the roads and airports rises with the number of people going on romantic getaways.

Many couples tend to book their travel well in advance, with more than 90% of them planning to spend the same amount or more on travel, leading to early booking of popular times and routes.

Pro tip: Book early morning or off-peak times to avoid traffic during peak hours.

Holiday travel by car tends to be associated with more traffic. In general data on holiday travel around major holidays, congestion and delays are expected, and experts advise very early or late departures to avoid peak times.

Pro tip: Depart early or after the peak lunch hours for smooth travel and a relaxed atmosphere.

Travel studies have found that stress related to travel is associated with long driving times and traffic congestion.Many travelers find driving to their holiday destinations stressful, with nearly 40% of holiday travelers finding holiday drives very stressful.

Travel basics like travel pillows, munchies, and a soothing playlist can help make long drives more enjoyable.

Research studies have found that the average romantic vacation is 4-6 nights long, and travel is the ultimate shared experience for many couples.

Before you leave, identify a couple of scenic spots or heritage cafes that appeal to your interests. This will give you special experiences without an overly planned itinerary.

Pro tip: Plan one special photo stop at sunset or sunrise.

Travel technology is highly integrated: approximately 80% of travelers use apps for navigation, booking, and planning, and about 65% use navigation apps to alleviate transit stress.

From traffic alerts to handling joint playlists, app use can be a great way to keep stress levels low and connection levels high.

Pro tip: Download offline maps before a trip in case of connectivity issues.

One of the most tiring aspects of a holiday journey is driving. It has been found that a significant number of people find driving to be a stressful experience, especially when the traffic gets congested or when unexpected delays occur. So taking turns, sharing navigation duties, or picking a route with good public stops can keep both partners relaxed and engaged.