Weekend Warrior: Ultimate 3-Day Fly-In, Van-Out Escapes

Got a three-day weekend coming up and a thirst for adventure? You're not alone. The "weekend warrior" travel trend is booming, with many people taking advantage of long weekends to squeeze in epic mini vacations. The idea is simple: fly in to a destination on a Friday, pick up a rental car or camper van, and drive out to explore for a few days, returning home by Sunday or Monday. These quick trips (sometimes called "pop-up escapes") are on the rise , a recent travel survey found that 53% of travelers are planning more short trips or weekend getaways than in previous years. In other words, half of us is now looking to become weekend road trip warriors!

Why are fly-in, van-out escapes so popular? For one, they’re time-efficient, you can visit far-off places without using a full week of vacation time. By flying to a starting point, you maximize the time spent exploring a new region rather than driving for two days just to get there. Plus, with remote work flexibility, some travelers add a remote workday to create a 3-4 day “workation” weekend. And importantly, they’re fun! There’s something thrilling about landing in a new city, hopping into a campervan or rental car at the airport, and hitting the open road in a matter of hours.

If you’re ready to join the ranks of weekend warriors, read on for tips to plan your trip and some sample 3-day itineraries from major U.S. cities to spark your inspiration.

How to Plan a Fly-In Weekend Road Trip

Planning is key when you have only 3 or 4 days. Here are some tips to make your weekend road trip from the airport a success:

• Choose the Right Destination: Pick a hub city with great sights within a few hours’ drive. Look for places where an airport car rental weekend trip can take you to multiple highlights in a short time. For example, Denver sits near the Rocky Mountains, or Las Vegas near several national parks. Also consider flight availability, a direct, Friday-morning flight that gets you in early will give you more exploring time on Day 1.
• Pack Smart & Light: Since it’s a short escape, try to stick to carry-on luggage so you can save time at the airport and easily throw your bags in the rental van. Pack versatile clothes for outdoor and city activities and include a small cooler bag if you plan on camping or road snacks. (For packing techniques like using compression cubes or deciding between a checked bag vs. carry-on, see our Pro Packing Tips article, internal link). If you’re renting a campervan, remember bedding or inquire if the rental includes it.
• Book Your Wheels in Advance: Weekend demand for rental cars and campervans can be high, so reserve well ahead. A camper van can double as your accommodation, an awesome option for nature-focused trips so you can camp overnight right at the scenic spots. If you opt for a normal car, book convenient lodging along your route. Either way, aim to pick up the vehicle at the airport as soon as you land (many rental agencies are right at the terminal or offer shuttles).
• Maximize Your Time: Plan an itinerary that makes the most of each day but be realistic. Don’t try to drive 8 hours in one day; stick to loops or out-and-back trips within ~200 miles of the airport (indeed, about 57% of travelers keep these getaways within 200 miles). A good strategy is to fly out Thursday night or early Friday and fly back late Sunday or Monday morning. That gives you two or three nights at the destination. Use those nights strategically, for example, drive to your furthest point on Day 1 when energy is high, so you can spend Day 2 exploring and Day 3 looping back toward the airport.
• Embrace Flexibility & Fun: The best part of a road trip is the unexpected discoveries. While you should have a rough 3-day itinerary, leave room for spontaneous stops, a quirky roadside attraction or a scenic overlook. A recent survey noted that 66% of road-trippers say discovering hidden gems is the best part of the journey. So, plan your route but welcome detours if something cool pops up. It's a weekend adventure, after all!

Sample 3-Day Fly-&-Drive Itineraries

To get your creative wheels turning, here are a few sample 3-day itineraries starting from major U.S. airports. Each assumes you have about three days on the ground (e.g., Friday morning to Sunday night) with a rental car or campervan ready to go.

3-Day Itinerary from Denver, CO: Rocky Mountain Adventure

Day 1 (Friday): Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) in the morning. Pick up your van or car at the airport and head west on I-70 into the Rockies. Stop in Boulder for lunch and stroll the Pearl Street Mall to get that Colorado vibe. Continue up canyon roads to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. In late afternoon, drive Trail Ridge Road (weather permitting) for jaw-dropping alpine views. Camp or stay in Estes Park for the night, under a blanket of stars.

Day 2 (Saturday): Spend the morning hiking a beginner-friendly trail in Rocky Mountain NP, Alberta Falls or Bear Lake are great options amid cool pine forests. Keep an eye out for elk! By midday, descend via the scenic Peak to Peak Highway toward Central City or Idaho Springs. Reward yourself with a local craft beer and soak in natural hot springs at Idaho Springs to ease those hiking muscles. By evening, make your way to the Red Rocks Park area (just outside Denver). If timing allows and there’s a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, catch an unforgettable show in this natural outdoor venue. Overnight at a nearby campground or lodge.

Day 3 (Sunday): On your final day, drive the Lariat Loop scenic byway around Golden, CO for some Wild West history and panoramic overlooks. Ride the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad in the morning or visit Golden’s Buffalo Bill Museum for a quick cultural stop. Head back toward Denver in the afternoon. If you have time before your flight, swing by Denver’s River North (RiNo) district for a quick bite and to admire colorful street murals. Return your car at DEN by evening and fly home, energized by a breath of mountain air on your weekend escape.

3-Day Itinerary from Las Vegas, NV: Desert National Parks Loop

Day 1 (Friday): Land at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS) by early afternoon. Grab your rental van and drive about 2.5 hours to Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. On the way, take a short detour to Valley of Fire State Park (about 1 hour from Vegas) if time permits, the fiery red rock formations there are a stunning appetizer to your trip. Arrive at Zion by evening. Settle into a campsite or lodge in Springdale (the town at Zion’s gate). As dusk falls, you’ll see towering red cliffs against the starry sky, a sight far removed from the neon of Vegas.

Day 2 (Saturday): Wake up early to explore Zion. Hike one of the iconic trails like The Narrows (wading in the cool Virgin River between cliff walls) or trek up to Angels Landing if you scored a permit and crave adrenaline and views. By early afternoon, depart Zion and drive 2 hours to Bryce Canyon National Park. The landscape changes from Zion’s steep canyons to Bryce’s high elevation hoodoo amphitheaters. Catch the sunset at Bryce Point or Sunset Point where the rock spires glow orange pink. Overnight either at Bryce (camp or lodge) or in the small town of Panguitch nearby.

Day 3 (Sunday): Drive back towards Las Vegas, taking the scenic route through southern Utah. If you didn’t see Valley of Fire on Day 1, you can loop through it now for a midday picnic among the red rocks. Alternatively, stop by the Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada state line to marvel at this engineering wonder on your way back. Roll into Las Vegas in the late afternoon. Depending on your flight time, you might even squeeze in a quick walk on the Las Vegas Strip for a contrasting end to your nature-filled weekend. Return the rental and catch your flight home (and yes, Monday at work might feel a bit easier knowing you just explored three national parks in one weekend!).

3-Day Itinerary from Seattle, WA: Mountains, Forests & Coast

Day 1 (Friday): Arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in the morning, pick up your car, and hop on a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island (ferries leave frequently and the ride itself offers views of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier on clear days). Once on the Olympic Peninsula, drive to Olympic National Park’s northeast entrance at Hurricane Ridge (about 2.5 hours total from SEA including ferry). Spend the afternoon walking the alpine meadows at Hurricane Ridge with vistas of the Olympic Mountains. Continue west to Lake Crescent for a serene evening by the lake. Stay at a cabin or campground around Lake Crescent or in the town of Forks.

Day 2 (Saturday): Today is about ancient forests and wild beaches. In the morning, explore the Hoh Rain Forest (one of the only temperate rainforests in the U.S.), a short hike on the Hall of Mosses trail will immerse you in lush, green scenery. Grab lunch in Forks or at a roadside diner (and yes, Twilight fans, you’re in the famous vampire town!). In the afternoon, drive out to the Pacific Coast at Rialto Beach or Second Beach. Stroll along the misty shoreline, where giant driftwood logs and sea stacks create a moody, beautiful scene. In late afternoon, start driving back east via U.S. Highway 101. Overnight in the charming Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend, WA, enjoying a fresh seafood dinner.

Day 3 (Sunday): Spend a leisurely morning in Port Townsend, perhaps browsing boutique shops or visiting the old military fort turned park (Fort Worden State Park) with its cliffside lighthouse. Then catch an afternoon ferry from nearby Bainbridge or Kingston back to the Seattle side. You’ll get back to Seattle with a few hours to spare, plenty of time to grab a coffee at the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market or ride to the top of the Space Needle if you haven’t before. Return your car at SEA and catch your evening flight. In just a long weekend, you’ve experienced snow-capped mountains, fern-filled forests, and the Pacific Ocean, not a bad haul for 3 days!

3-Day Itinerary from Miami, FL: Keys Island-Hopping Adventure

Day 1 (Friday): Touch down at Miami International Airport (MIA) by midday, pick up your rental car, and point it south on the Overseas Highway (US-1). By late afternoon you’ll reach Key Largo, the first of the fabulous Florida Keys (about 1.5-hour drive). Stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo to snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat tour over the coral reefs, a refreshing start to your trip. Continue driving through the Keys as the sun sets, crossing famous bridges surrounded by turquoise water. Overnight in Islamorada or Marathon (midway down the Keys) so you can enjoy a quiet evening and perhaps some key lime pie under the stars.

Day 2 (Saturday): Today, head to Key West, the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Take your time driving the remaining stretch, the Seven Mile Bridge offers breathtaking ocean views. Arrive in Key West by late morning. Spend the day exploring this vibrant, quirky island town: visit the Hemingway House (say hello to the six-toed cats), grab lunch at a conch shack, and stroll Duval Street for shops and galleries. Don’t miss the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, where street performers and a golden sun sinking into the Gulf create an unforgettable scene. Key West has plenty of nightlife if you’re up for it. Stay overnight in Key West (book well in advance, as weekends can be busy).

Day 3 (Sunday): Start your drive back early, but not without detours. On your way north, pause at Bahia Honda State Park, it boasts one of the Keys’ prettiest natural beaches and a historic bridge overlook. If time allows and you’re craving one more nature fix, stop at Everglades National Park’s Ernest Coe Visitor Center back on the mainland (detour just south of Homestead) to walk the Anhinga Trail; you might spot alligators and herons. Arrive back in Miami in the afternoon. Before you catch your evening flight, you could swing by Miami’s Little Havana for a quick Cuban coffee and sandwich, a perfect energizer after a sun-filled island weekend. Fly home relaxed and recharged, with a tan to make your coworkers jealous.

(Feel free to tailor these itineraries based on your interests, the possibilities for 3-day fly-drive trips are endless. The key is to pick a region with enough sights in proximity and just go for it!)

Make Your Next Weekend Count

From the mountains to the sea, a 3-day fly-in road trip lets you break free from routine and see someplace new, all in a weekend. With smart planning, weekend road trips from airports can feel surprisingly fulfilling, you’ve packed a week’s worth of adventure into a few days. Whether it’s a solo quest (check out our Solo Traveler’s Guide for road trip tips) or a family outing (see Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways for kid-friendly picks, internal links), the freedom of having your own wheels and a short, exciting itinerary is hard to beat.

So next time a long weekend looms, skip the staycation. Book that flight deal, rent that camper van, and become a weekend warrior. You’ll return on Monday with incredible stories, great photos, and perhaps a bit of road trip swagger. After all, not everyone spent their weekend watching the sunset over a canyon or dining in a distant city, but you did. Happy trails!