On the road with a
road warrior
Powering Travel Trends Report: Results from our mobile workforce study
Ever wonder about life on the road traveling for work?
We dove deep into the world of road warriors—frequent travelers in construction, disaster relief, and beyond. Our report uncovers what they love (and don’t) about their jobs, crucial travel factors, and how to keep your mobile workforce thriving.
Key insights
93%
93% report increased travel in 2024
77%
77% attribute travel growth to high industry demand
80%
80% rate their travel experiences 8/10 or higher
Easy roads start with Engine
Engine simplifies travel wherever you go with easy bookings, direct billing, and flexible stays to keep you moving.
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Meet the road warrior
Road warriors spend 3-6+ months a year on the road. 93% report increased travel in the past year, with 77% attributing it to high demand in their industries.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Kids at home
Salary
Making $75K+
Age
42 years old
Seniority
Mid-level
Industries
Construction
Transportation
Field services
Disaster relief
What they want
Road warriors can end up staying in less-than-desirable accommodations, often hauling heavy equipment. The work is demanding, so a place that feels more like a home is crucial.
More travel, more career opportunities
35% say travel accelerates their career growth
28% would switch jobs to travel more
22% have left jobs due to insufficient travel
But challenges and unpredictability remain
They spend hours every week managing travel schedules that are constantly changing
Fuel your road warriors’ momentum
Our platform streamlines the entire travel process, from booking quality stays to managing last-minute changes, so your road warriors can focus on what they do best.
Who's behind the journey?
While some road warriors book their own travel, many rely on dedicated travel managers to handle the logistics and streamline their journeys.
They handle last-minute changes
32% struggle with last-minute changes
22% find it hard to secure good deals
21% face difficulties managing team schedules
And navigate the chaos
93% of those managing travel for road warriors say they expect plans to change within a week of scheduled travel more than half the time.
Without a dedicated travel manager, booking travel often falls to busy project managers and executive assistants.
Engine makes travel coordination easy
Busy professionals often juggle travel logistics alongside their core duties. Our platform automates the process, handling last-minute changes and securing deals, so your team can save time and work more efficiently.
The good, the bad, and what can change
Road warriors are generally happy with their temporary residences, but the right accommodations, flexibility, and support can make all the difference.
The good
69% enjoy their accommodations
35% stay fit thanks to hotel gyms
41% access healthier food options on the road
The bad
22% struggle to find good deals
35% spend 3-5 hours weekly on travel admin
40% have left jobs due to frequent schedule changes
Challenges with cleanliness, long commutes, and incidentals
Hotel cleanliness
93% have asked for better travel accommodations for work
Proximity to work
41% say the properties are located too far from work
High out-of-pocket costs
25% face financial strain due to personal credit card holds for incidentals
Entertainment
29% say there's a lack of recreational options, with little to do after work
Parking
24% say there’s a lack of adequate parking around the property
Food options
25% say there are limited to no food options in the area
Enhance your stays, priced just right
Even though most road warriors enjoy their travel, issues like cleanliness and extra costs persist. Engine solves this with clean, well-located properties, direct billing, and great amenities.
Balancing costs and comfort
With travel spend rising, employers are focusing on prioritizing cost management.
90% of travel managers for oad riors report that their organization’s travel spend increased in 2024 compared to 2023.
Top priorities for employers choosing accommodations
Price
Prioritize staying within budget
Brand
Focus on approved hotel chains
Location
Want proximity to job site
How to make frequent business travel turbulence-free
Engine is your all-in-one business travel command center. Book top hotels, flights, and car rentals with unbeatable flexibility. Cut costs, crush admin time, and adapt on the fly. No contracts, no hidden fees—just modern travel management that moves at your speed.
Ready for modern travel management?
Revolutionize your approach to high-volume travel. Engine helps transportation, disaster relief, and construction companies streamline travel for hassle-free, cost-effective experiences.
About the survey
All figures from Phronesis Partners unless otherwise stated. The sample size was 800 employees who travel for work and 1,200 employees who manage travel at their companies. All respondents were employed in construction, disaster relief and insurance, engineering and field services, and transportation in the US. Fieldwork was undertaken between August 9 and August 26, 2024. The survey was carried out online.
Discover how Engine helps transportation, disaster relief, and construction companies streamline high-volume travel for hassle-free experiences and cost-effective lodging.