Holiday RV Travel Just Jumped 33 Percent

Holiday RV travel surged 33 percent. The real reasons 28 million Americans hit the road, and why you might be next to join them.

What 28 Million Holiday Travelers Know That You Don’t

Here’s a number that stopped me in my tracks: 28 million Americans are planning to travel by RV this holiday season. That’s up 33 percent from last year. Let that sink in for a moment.

Twenty-eight million people have looked at the chaos of holiday travel, the airport security lines snaking through terminals, the flight delays, the rental car shortages, the unpredictable costs, and they’ve said “no thanks.”

They’re hitching up instead.

If you’ve been dreaming about full-time RV life, this surge isn’t just a statistic. It’s a signal. It tells us something important about where travel is heading and why the RV lifestyle is becoming less of an alternative and more of a preference.

A red RV decorated with a holiday wreath drives through a snowy, pine tree-lined road with festive lights in the background.

Image of an RV life starter checklist offer, featuring a sample checklist and a green arrow pointing toward a prompt to get your free, downloadable checklist for starting your simplified RV living journey.

The Holiday Travel Nightmare Nobody Talks About

We’ve all been there. You book flights months in advance, pay a premium for holiday travel, and then spend Christmas morning refreshing your airline app, wondering if you’ll even make it to dinner.

One weather system in the Midwest can cascade into thousands of cancellations. One staffing shortage can turn your carefully planned reunion into an expensive night on an airport floor.

Last holiday season, I watched families melt down in Denver International Airport, kids crying, adults arguing with gate agents, everyone’s plans completely derailed. Meanwhile, somewhere on I-70, RVers were pulling into campgrounds right on schedule, pets in tow, homemade cookies in the oven.

The new RVIA Holiday Travel Intention Survey data confirms what those of us in the RV community already knew: people are tired of surrendering control over their holidays. When you travel by RV, the weather might slow you down, but it rarely stops you.

A road closure means finding another route, not canceling your entire trip and eating the cost of non-refundable accommodations.

Economic Reality Meets Travel Freedom

Let’s talk about money, because that’s driving a huge part of this shift. According to the survey, the typical RVer will spend about $1,500 per trip in 2026.

Now compare that to what you’d drop on a family of four flying across the country during peak holiday travel, flights alone could run you $2,000 to $3,000, before you’ve paid for rental cars, hotels, restaurants for every meal, and pet boarding.

The math is pretty straightforward. But here’s what makes it even more compelling: RVers are planning three or more trips next year, not just squeezing in one expensive holiday visit. That’s the difference between rationing your travel and actually living it.

Economic uncertainty doesn’t mean staying home. It means traveling smarter. When you own your accommodations and your transportation, you’re not at the mercy of dynamic pricing algorithms or surge rates. You know what your trip will cost before you leave the driveway.

The Younger Generation Gets It

Something fascinating is happening with younger travelers. Gen Z shows 35 percent purchase consideration for RVs heading into 2026, with Millennials right behind at 32 percent.

These aren’t retirees, these are people in their twenties and thirties who’ve looked at traditional travel and housing and thought, “there has to be a better way.”

They’re not wrong.

Younger RVers are treating their rigs as mobile offices, traveling while working remotely, and discovering that home doesn’t have to mean being stuck in one expensive city.

They’re using AI to find campgrounds and plan routes (40 percent of RVers are doing this now), turning what used to require guidebooks and phone calls into something you can manage from your phone.

If you’re considering full-time RV living but worry you’re too young or that it’s only for retirees, this data should tell you everything you need to know. The demographics are shifting fast.

This lifestyle isn’t your grandfather’s retirement dream anymore; it’s becoming the practical choice for people who want flexibility, affordability, and adventure in equal measure.

The Pet Factor (Because Family Travels Together)

Here’s a detail that matters more than you might think: 67 percent of RVers are bringing their pets along on winter trips. Try doing that on a commercial airline without paying hundreds of dollars, dealing with size restrictions, and stressing your animal out in cargo.

Our dog has seen more of America than most people. She’s hiked in South Dakota, played in the ocean off Florida, and napped in campgrounds from Maine to Arizona. She’s part of why we love this lifestyle; she goes everywhere we go, no boarding facilities, no separation anxiety, no guilt.

When the survey found that over half of RV owners plan to stay in their RVs while visiting family for Christmas, it’s not just about having your own space. It’s about bringing your whole family, including the four-legged members, without compromise.

An adult and three young children stand beside a parked RV in a scenic mountain area at sunset. An empty camping chair is nearby.

Using Your RV as a Strategic Asset

One finding that made me smile: 40 percent of RVers plan to use their rigs as guest quarters during holiday visits to reduce “holiday crowding.” This is brilliant for so many reasons.

First, you maintain your own space and routine. Love your family, but need your morning coffee in silence? You’ve got that. Need to decompress after a big dinner? Your RV is your sanctuary.

Second, you’re actually giving your hosts a gift, not overwhelming their space and hot water heater.

Third, you can stay longer without feeling like you’re overstaying your welcome.

Last Christmas, we parked in my son’s driveway for a week. We were present for all the festivities, helped with meals, played with the kids, but we also had somewhere to retreat when we needed it. It transformed what’s usually a stressful few days into an actually relaxing holiday. He got his house back at night, we got our space, everyone was happy.

This is the kind of creative problem-solving that RV life enables. Your rig isn’t just transportation or accommodation, it’s a tool for living better.

Road Trips Remain, King

The survey found that taking a road trip, especially those four to seven-hour drives from home, is the top reason people are choosing RV travel this winter. There’s something deeply appealing about road trips that air travel will never replicate, the journey itself becomes part of the experience.

Those medium-distance trips are perfect for RV travel. Far enough to feel like you’ve gone somewhere, close enough that you’re not white-knuckling through days of driving. Whether you’re chasing sunshine, visiting family, or parking at the base of a ski slope in Colorado, you’re in control of the pace.

And unlike flying, where the journey is something to be endured, RV road trips let you explore along the way.

That interesting town you pass through? Stop for lunch.
That scenic overlook? Pull over and soak it in.
The journey stops being dead time and becomes part of the adventure.

A camper RV with lights is parked in a snowy forest clearing at dusk. The RV door is open, revealing a warmly lit interior. Pine trees are visible in the background.

What This Means If You’re Considering the Leap

If you’re reading this because you’ve been toying with the idea of full-time RV living, this surge in RV travel should tell you something important: the infrastructure is improving rapidly because demand is growing. More campgrounds, better amenities, more resources, and larger communities.

The 70 percent of RVers planning three or more trips in 2026 aren’t just tourists; they’re people discovering that this lifestyle works. They’re learning the rhythms, finding their favorite spots, and connecting with the community.

Many of them will transition from weekend warriors to long-term travelers to full-timers.

The path from “that sounds nice” to “I’m doing this” is more accessible than ever. Want detailed guidance on making the transition? Resources like GPS to Full-Time RV Living can walk you through everything from choosing your rig to planning your route to managing your finances on the road. The roadmap exists; you just have to decide to follow it.

The Real Freedom Nobody Mentions

Here’s what the statistics don’t capture: the feeling of complete autonomy over your life. Not just your holidays, but every day. The freedom to wake up and decide today’s the day you want to see the ocean, or the mountains, or that quirky roadside attraction you’ve always been curious about.

When 28 million Americans choose RV travel for the holidays, they’re not just avoiding airport hassles. They’re experiencing something that makes them want more. They’re discovering that travel doesn’t have to be this rare, expensive, stressful thing you do twice a year. It can be how you live.

That realization is powerful. It’s the same realization that led us to sell our house, pare down our possessions, and hit the road full-time. We stopped waiting for vacation to feel alive and started building a life we didn’t need to vacation from.

Image of a RV Personal Finance Planner with forms and a calculator, alongside text promoting quick RV budget planning for those discovering that RV Life Is Growing Fast, plus a download link and a brown arrow pointing to the right.

The Invitation Is Open

The RV community isn’t exclusive or gatekept. It’s open to anyone willing to embrace a different way of moving through the world. Whether you’re 25 or 75, traveling solo or with a family, on a tight budget or comfortable financially, there’s a version of this lifestyle that can work for you.

The 33 percent increase in holiday RV travel isn’t just about this year. It’s a trend that’s been building and will continue building. People are voting with their wheels for more control, more affordability, more flexibility, and more authentic experiences.

The question is: are you ready to join them?

Because from where I’m sitting, currently parked with a view of the Smoky Mountains, coffee in hand, dog at my feet, I can tell you this lifestyle delivers on its promises. The 28 million Americans traveling by RV this holiday season are figuring that out. Many of them won’t want to stop when the holidays end.

Maybe you’ll be one of them.

Ready to take the first steps toward full-time RV living? Check out GPS to Full-Time RV Living for comprehensive guidance on making the transition, from choosing your rig to navigating life on the road. The journey starts with a single decision, everything else is just following the route.