More than 11 million Americans plan to go RVing during each of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods, according to the RV Industry Association’s latest Winter Travel Intentions survey. An estimated 11.4 million Americans plan to take an RV trip over Thanksgiving, while 11.2 million plan to RV during the Christmas holiday period, highlighting RV travel’s appeal as Americans seek affordable, flexible ways to gather with loved ones and explore new destinations this winter.
“Holiday travel should be about spending time with the people you love, not stressing over how to get there,” said Monika Geraci, RV Industry Association spokesperson. “RVing puts you in the driver’s seat, with the freedom to bring your pets and presents, travel on your own schedule and make stops along the way that turn the journey into part of the vacation.”
Key Findings From the Survey:
- Four Paws Along for the Ride: Nearly 7 in 10 RVers (69%) plan to bring their pets on some or all of their winter RV trips, compared with 56% of other leisure travelers.
- RVing Rivals Airfare for Millennials: Among millennials planning winter trips outside the major holidays, 32% plan to travel by RV — the same percentage planning to fly.
- Cost Control Matters: Affordability is the leading reason for choosing a winter RV trip, cited by 63% of RVers planning winter RV travel.
- Home for the Holidays — RV-style: Family gatherings are the leading event category for planned RV trips over the next 12 months (49%), highlighting the role RVs can play in bringing loved ones together.
- The Southeast Beckons: Nearly one-third of RVers (31%) plan holiday or winter travel to the Southeast, including 38% of baby boomers.
- Adventure Within Driving Distance: Gen Z travelers show particularly strong interest in destinations within a four-to-seven-hour drive from home.
- National Parks & Scenic Wonders Lead: Nearly half of RVers (49%) plan winter RV trips to national parks or scenic wonders, followed by family-friendly attractions (42%) and beaches or coastal destinations (41%).
Whether visiting family for the holidays, heading to a national park for backcountry skiing or planning a winter vacation, RV travel offers a flexible way to bring the comforts of home along for the journey. For RV travel inspiration, trip-planning resources and tips for first-time RVers, visit gorving.com, and for additional data on RV ownership, economic impact and vacation cost comparisons, visit rvia.org.
