As economic uncertainty and unpredictable travel logistics
shape vacation options, data from the RV Industry Association’s Holiday
Travel Intention survey indicates that 28 million Americans are choosing to
RV for their holiday trips.
With benefits that include cost-effectiveness,
control over holiday plans, bringing pets along for the journey, flexible
scheduling and bypassing expensive flights and congested airports, it’s no
surprise that RV travel is predicted to increase by 33 percent compared to
2024.
"In a season when travel can feel unpredictable and
overwhelming, RVing puts travelers back in the driver's seat," Monika
Geraci, RV Industry Association spokesperson said in a statement.
She added, "Whether you're parked at the base of a ski
slope in Colorado, visiting family along the coast, or chasing sunshine with
your pets in tow, RVing delivers the comfort of home and the freedom to roam
without the cancellations, delays, or stress that often come with other forms
of travel. Twenty-eight million Americans know that just because it's winter
doesn't mean you have to hang up your keys."
Top survey findings include:
- RVing is Home for the Holidays - As nine
million Americans at
Thanksgiving and seven million at Christmas plan to go RVing.
- RVing Ranks Among Top Leisure Travel Choices – Nearly 4-in-10 leisure travelers (39 percent) plan an RV trip in the coming
year—a significant increase from 2024—while purchase interest remains steady at
26 percent.
- The RV Becomes the Mobile Guest Suite – 52
percent of RV owners plan to stay in their RVs for Thanksgiving and 48 percent at
Christmas while visiting friends and family. 4-in-10 plan to use their RV as
guest quarters or while visiting friends/family to reduce "holiday
crowding".
- Younger Generations Continue to Propel the RV
Boom – Millennials and Gen Z drive the future of RV travel, with Gen Z (35
percent) and Millennials (32 percent) demonstrating the highest RV purchase
consideration for 2026. Younger travelers view RVing as a tech-friendly,
flexible, and affordable way to explore.
- Road Trips Rule and AI Paves the Way - Taking
a road trip, especially 4-7-hours from home, is the top reason 28 million plan
to travel by RV this winter and 40 percent indicate they will use AI to plan
their trip and find campgrounds.
- Winter Wonder Fuels Local Economies –
From traveling to snowy mountains to sunbelt destinations, 70 percent of RVers
will plan three or more trips in the next year, spending roughly $1,500 per
trip, generating millions of dollars into local economies nationwide.
- Pets on Board – 67 percent of RVers plan
to bring their pets along on winter RV trips making it the most pet-friendly
travel mode this season.
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