During Labor Day weekend, U.S. road trips surged with a 9% increase in domestic travel, and Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology saw record usage, enhancing road trip experiences.

Red, White, and BlueCruise: Exploring U.S. Hands-Free Highway Driving Trends

During Labor Day weekend, U.S. road trips surged with a 9% increase in domestic travel, and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology saw record usage, enhancing road trip experiences.

Labor Day weekend marks a busy travel period in the U.S., with domestic travel up 9% compared to last year, according to AAA. Paula Twidale, Senior VP of AAA Travel, described the holiday as a “last hurrah of the summer,” with many opting for regional road trips to beaches, national parks, or tourist spots.

A notable trend this year is the increased use of Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. In 2023, Labor Day saw the highest BlueCruise usage compared to other holidays, with an 8.15% increase over Thanksgiving.

The most active states for BlueCruise during this period were California, Texas, and Florida, among others.

BlueCruise is widely used for both daily commutes and long trips, available across Ford and Lincoln models like the F-150 and Mustang Mach-E. User feedback highlights how BlueCruise has enhanced their driving experience, making commutes and road trips more enjoyable.

For those planning a trip, 97% of highways in the U.S. and Canada are Blue Zones, with Ford offering suggested routes to explore.

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