RV Travel Delivers Value and Flexibility as 23 Million Americans Plan Fall RV Trips

As Americans look towards Labor Day and autumn getaways amid ongoing air travel headaches, economic pressures, rising costs, and the desire to disconnect from technology, new research from the RV Industry Association’s quarterly travel intentions survey shows the continued appeal of RV travel and the affordability, comfort, and control it offers travelers.

The survey found that 23 million Americans are planning to take an RV trip this fall, reinforcing RVing’s appeal as a flexible and practical way to travel. More than 11 million Americans plan to take an RV trip over Labor Day, while more than 9.4 million Americans who do not currently own an RV plan to rent or borrow one this fall. 

Why are travelers choosing RVing this fall?

Affordability is the top reason travelers are choosing RVs this fall, with more than half of the respondents citing it as a primary reason for their RV trip. Comfort and the desire to experience fall foliage also rank highly, underscoring the combination of value and experience driving fall RV travel. Economic uncertainty is further shaping travel behavior, with those feeling economic pressure more likely to choose RV travel and less expensive destinations. 

Where are they RVing to this fall?

Fall RV travel is also increasingly centered on road trips, outdoor experiences, and destinations beyond traditional beach vacations. Road trips remain the leading type of RV trip across most generations, while national parks and scenic wonders have surpassed beaches for the first time as the most common destinations RVers plan to visit. 

Regionally, the Northeast and Southeast rank as the top regions for fall RV travel, and RVers are also incorporating concerts, music events, and sporting events into their trips. More than 90% of RV travelers will plan trips in the 3-7-hour range from home. Once at their destination, camping, fishing, and hiking are among the leading outdoor activities. 

Who is RVing?

More than 71% plan to bring their pets on their fall RV trips, highlighting RVing’s continued appeal for those seeking and needing pet-friendly vacations.

The fall outlook also points to continued engagement from younger generations and prospective RV buyers. Gen Z and Millennials show the strongest travel motivation and lead RV-related engagement, while the timeframe for prospective buyers is becoming more immediate: among those likely or very likely to purchase an RV, 35% now expect to make a purchase within the next three months, nearly double the 18% reported two years ago.

“For families, fall can be one of the best times to press pause and hit the road—whether it’s a long weekend, fall break, or Thanksgiving trip,” said Jeremy Greene, Vice President of Marketing for the RV Industry Association. “RVing gives families the flexibility to travel on their own schedule, stay comfortable along the way, and bring the people—and pets—they love. When families are also thinking carefully about their travel budgets, that combination of flexibility, comfort, and control makes RVing a natural fit for autumn travel.” 

*Commissioned by the RV Industry Association and conducted by Cairn Consulting, 1,612 surveys were completed in July targeting anticipated travel plans this fall by a statistically balanced cross-section of U.S. Household members. The survey results have an associated margin of error of +/- 2.74 percentage points. U.S. Household members are defined as any U.S. residents.