Fall and Holiday Travel Insights from RVshare Renters for 2024

As the seasons change, so do travel plans. RVshare recently surveyed its renters to gather new insights on fall and holiday travel trends. Here’s what we discovered.

Fall Travel Plans

• Labor Day Travel: Only 27% of renters planned to travel over Labor Day weekend, reflecting a preference for other times during the fall.
• Overall Fall Travel: Despite a quieter Labor Day, 77% of respondents plan to travel at some point this fall, with more than half opting for shorter trips lasting less than a week.
• Frequent Fall Trips: Over half of those surveyed are planning to take multiple trips throughout the fall and holiday season.
• Duration: Most (52%) report that they will be traveling for shorter than one week this fall. 

Holiday Travel Decisions

• Holiday Travel Uncertainty: About 25% of respondents are still undecided about traveling for the holidays, while 40% have already decided they won’t be traveling at all.
• Driving to Holiday Destinations: A majority of respondents (53%) said they will be driving to their holiday destinations this year compared to 20% who will be flying. Interestingly, half of the respondents prefer driving because they find it more enjoyable than other modes of travel.

Factors Influencing Travel Plans

• Top Influencers: The key factors influencing fall and holiday travel plans are cost (42%), followed by convenience (23%) and comfort (19%).
• Price Considerations: Airline ticket prices, gas, and hotel costs are the biggest concerns when deciding on travel plans this fall.
• Domestic vs. International Travel: A significant 72% of respondents will not be traveling internationally this fall or winter.

Interest in RV Travel

• RV Trips for the Holidays: An impressive 75% of respondents would consider taking an RV trip this holiday season, either for leisure or to visit family.
• Preference for Road Trips: Nearly half (44%) of the respondents are more likely to choose RV or road trip travel for their next fall or holiday vacation.

Fun Insights from the Survey

• Budget Preferences: When asked about their travel budget preferences, 63% of respondents said they would rather have a limited budget to travel anywhere than an unlimited budget for just one destination.
• Travel Spirit Animals: 34% of travelers chose a Dolphin as their spirit animal for their love of water, followed by a Turtle (31%) for taking it slow, an Eagle (27%) for those that like to fly high, and only 7% picked a cat for the love of naps. 
• What Would You Give Up?: A staggering 85% of respondents said they would rather give up Netflix for a year than give up travel.
• Packing vs. Wi-Fi: When asked, “Would you rather have unlimited Wi-Fi on all your flights or never have to pack a suitcase again?” Most respondents (65%) would prefer never having to pack again, while 35% would choose unlimited Wi-Fi on all flights.

These insights show that while travelers may face uncertainties and challenges, there remains a strong appetite for exploration and adventure. Whether it’s a scenic fall road trip or a cozy holiday getaway in an RV, people are eager to make the most of their travel experiences this season.

*RVshare surveyed 1,200 active RVshare renters on August 27, 2024 ranging from the age of 25-89.