A new report from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) forecasts that RVing will remain a top mode of travel as we enter spring travel this year, with major U.S. events including our nation’s 250th anniversary, the FIFA World Cup and Route 66’s Centennial.

According to the data compiled in the RVIA’s Spring Travel Intention Survey, the association expects 34.6 million Americans to plan an RV trip this spring — a 23 percent increase from spring 2025.

“As travelers prioritize affordability and flexibility, RVing offers the freedom to explore on their own terms,” RVIA states in the report’s survey data summary.

“With so many incredible destinations across the country, there’s never been a better time to go RVing,” said Monika Geraci, spokesperson for RVIA. “RV travel allows people to create their own schedule, choose their favorite destinations and share unforgettable experiences just beyond their door. We’re thrilled that more than 34 million Americans plan to take an RV trip this spring.”

Key Survey Findings

  • More than half of spring RV travelers plan to visit national parks, making them the most popular destination, followed by beaches and coastal destinations. Private campgrounds and RV resorts are also top accommodation choices for RV travelers.
  • 51 percent of leisure travelers plan to travel with pets this spring. The ability to bring pets along is a top priority; pet-friendly travel options increase the likelihood that consumers will purchase an RV.
  • Top-rated activities for spring RV travelers include hiking, backpacking, and biking, with many using their RV as a base camp.
  • Many spring travelers surveyed say they choose spring RV trips for better weather, fewer crowds and the flexibility to travel outside peak Spring Break weeks, highlighting the appeal of shoulder-season travel.
  • Top reasons for choosing RV travel include the joy of road trips, the ability to travel affordably and in comfort, and opportunities to explore the outdoors.
  • Interest in longer RV trips is growing, with notable increases in drive times of four to seven hours and eight to fifteen hours from home.

Generational Trends Highlight Opportunities Across the RV Market 

  • Gen Z travelers show the highest engagement with the RV industry and are the most likely to rent an RV, often using rentals as an entry point to the lifestyle and taking the longest trips.
  • Millennials demonstrate the strongest commitment to RV ownership and are most likely to travel with their kids, reinforcing RVing’s role in family travel.
  • Gen X travelers also show the strongest commitment to purchasing an RV and prioritize traveling with pets as a motivator.
  • Boomers remain active RV travelers but tend to take a longer-term approach to purchases, often indicating a 7- to 12-month timeline when considering buying an RV. Boomers also rank travel trailers as their preferred RV type, with the highest preference among all generations.

Year-Round Travel Intention Is Strong, with 4 million Americans planning to go RVing in the next year.

Methodology: The survey was commissioned by RVIA and conducted by Cairn Consulting. 1,626 surveys were completed in February, targeting anticipated travel plans this spring 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. resident who has taken some form of leisure trip in the past 12 months.

Image courtesy Jayco/Thor Industries