Unfortunately, you're probably right.
Still I don't believe high-speed maglev will solve anything. Less planes, for sure but more people traveling further, more frequently, more efficiently consuming more power in absolutes.
> Even for a week-long vacation, I don't want to spend 4 days getting there and back.
I understand, and feel the same. But I do my best to find a closer destination that's "also" nice, and make sure that when I travel far only when I have proportional amount of time to spend there.
When you're trying to escape New England winter weather and get to someplace warm with 11+ hour days (or escape the heat and humidity of Florida in August or visit family), that can be inherently difficult.
Makes you wonder how people in New England winter or Florida summer used to cope a century ago. :-)
What you say is true, but also a condition that is spectacularly unlikely to change.
Separately, for personal travel, I will sometimes travel low-and-slow, but there are many personal trips where I want to go somewhere for a long-weekend and getting half-way there and turning around doesn't accomplish the goal of the weekend. Even for a week-long vacation, I don't want to spend 4 days getting there and back.