Fall Travel Kicks Off with 7.4 Million Americans RVing Over Labor Day

Affordability tops list of reasons to go RVing

RVing remains a top travel choice, with more than 7.4 million Americans planning an RV trip over Labor Day Weekend, an increase over 2024, according to the newly released Fall Travel Intention Survey from the RV Industry Association. As travelers prioritize affordability, comfort, and outdoor access, RVing delivers the freedom to go wherever they want, whenever they want.

“RV travel continues to offer comfort, affordability, and a direct connection to the outdoors that makes it stand out as the premier way to experience autumn across America,” said Monika Geraci, RV Industry Association Spokesperson. “From scenic road trips to national and state park adventures, and from beach getaways to leaf-peeping in the Northeast, RVers can enjoy so many ways to explore just beyond their door.”

Key findings from the survey:

• Affordability - 60% of respondents cited affordability of RV travel as a top reason they plan to take an RV trip this fall. Enjoying the RV lifestyle and escaping the “busyness of life” rounded out the top three reasons given.
• Trip planning - 32% of leisure travelers will use AI tools for trip planning but trip planning websites, social media, and app-based services will also continue to play an integral role.
• Road trips are the destination – 46% of RVers are planning road trips as their main destination this fall, with national and state parks, coastal spots, festivals, fairs, and concerts and theme parks not far behind. The Northeast also made its mark as a top destination for RVers to visit.
• Economic motivations are shifting – 47% of RVers cite economic uncertainty as a reason to travel by RV this fall, up from 33% this summer.
• RV purchase interest is strong – Millennials and Gen Z show the greatest year-over-year increase in RV purchase interest (up 16% year-over-year).
• Shorter trips remain popular – Most RVers plan to stay within a 4–7 hour drive from home.
• Pets on board – 72% of RVers plan to bring their pets along on fall RV trips.
• Remote working by RV still trending - More RVers than this time last year are planning to work remotely while RVing this fall.

*Commissioned by the RV Industry Association and conducted by Cairn Consulting, 1,606 surveys were completed in July targeting anticipated travel plans this fall by a statistically balanced cross section of U.S. leisure travelers. The survey results have an associated margin of error of +/- 2.74 percentage points. Leisure travelers are defined as any U.S. residents who has taken some type of leisure trip in the past 12 months.