Red, White, And BlueCruise:
U.S. Hands-Free Highway Driving Trends
Labor Day weekend is a busy time for travelers in the U.S. This year, overall domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, according to AAA booking data.
“Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah of the summer for many travelers," said Paula Twidale, Senior VP of AAA Travel. "While some Americans go on cruises or travel internationally over Labor Day, many families prefer regional road trips to beaches, national parks, or tourist attractions.”
Labor Day weekend is also a popular time for BlueCruise users. In 2023, BlueCruise was used more during the Labor Day holiday time period than during any other holiday.1 In fact, Labor Day BlueCruise hands-free highway driving trips were also 8.15% more common than during Thanksgiving holiday.
The Ford BlueCruise team is ready to hit the road to celebrate the achievements of workers in the U.S. and mark the unofficial end of summer before busy fall schedules and heavy commutes kick into high gear!
Read more below about the hands-free highway driving trends we are seeing across the U.S. from Ford and Lincoln owners.
(It’s important to note that this data is anonymized and is only collected from customers who have opted in to share it with Ford.)
Top Holidays for BlueCruise
In 2023, among traditional travel holidays, Ford and Lincoln BlueCruise users took the most BlueCruise hands-free highway driving trips during the Labor Day holiday time period.1
Thanksgiving and the holiday season followed Labor Day with the most hands-free highway driving trips during a holiday time period as folks head out to see family and friends at the end of the year.
Labor Day BlueCruise hands-free highway driving trips were also 8.15% more common than during Thanksgiving holiday.
In 2023, California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Washington and Arizona were the top 10 states with the most BlueCruise hands-free highway driving trips taken by Ford and Lincoln owners.2
The U.S. states with the largest populations are: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan.
Daily Commutes vs. Long Trips: How is BlueCruise Used?
BlueCruise makes long road trips and daily commutes easier and more enjoyable. We have found that BlueCruise users move back and forth between both types of travel. Whether people commute every day and also take a long weekend road trip during the summer or holidays, or take their kids to soccer tournaments or dance competitions across their state during the season, they are finding BlueCruise is the ultimate travel assistant.
Let’s look at the daily commute. According to Statista Consumer Insights Global, as of August 2024, the average commute time in the U.S. is 16-29 minutes. More than half of commuters drive for less than 30 minutes.
In the U.S., about 77% of BlueCruise trips taken by Ford and Lincoln owners were under 20 minutes.
For trips on controlled access highways longer than one hour, such as road trips, BlueCruise was used more than 50% of the time.
BlueCruise Across Vehicle Lines
BlueCruise is used across vehicle lines — whether gas, hybrid or electric. BlueCruise is now available on the F-150, F-150 Lightning, Explorer, Expedition and Mustang Mach-E, as well as across the entire Lincoln portfolio.
The two groups with the most similar BlueCruise usage rates are the owners of very different vehicles: the F-150 and the Mustang Mach-E.3
What Customers are Saying
Owners who use BlueCruise have shared they really enjoy using it on their way to work and even for those longer trips.
“BlueCruise changed what was a completely boring, monotonous ride to something that is now enjoyable. The worst part of my day is work, and the best part is driving to and from work.” – Peter L., F-150 Lightning owner and member of Ford’s Early Access Program
“I knew we would love Blue Cruise. I just didn't know how much we would love it and how much we would use it in our everyday lives. I knew we would use it for those big trips, but I didn't know that we would use it every single time we hop on the highway ... I really can't imagine us buying another car that does not have BlueCruise.” – Jace C., F-150 Lightning owner and member of Ford’s Early Access Program
How to Map Your BlueCruise Trips
In the U.S. and Canada, 97% of highways are Blue Zones. If you want to head out on a road trip but need some destination inspiration, check out some of our favorite BlueCruise routes.
Disclaimers
1 Based on Ford customer connected vehicle data that customers have opted in to share.
2 Based on Ford customer connected vehicle data that customers have opted in to share, based on the state where the vehicle was purchased across all 50 states.
3 Based on Ford customer connected vehicle data that customers have opted in to share. Data is inclusive of the U.S. from 2023. Trips are on controlled access highway only.
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