They say there’s no place like home for the holidays — but when you’re traveling in an RV, you’re basically bringing home along with you for the ride. And holiday travel can be a lot of fun… but traveling during the days when everyone has time off can also mean things fill up, and fast.
We’ve gathered real data from RVshare bookings to determine the ideal booking window for many of the most popular travel holidays. And since some dates can fill up more than two months in advance, it’s more important than ever to be thinking ahead. By analyzing the average lead time other travelers take when planning a trip, you can get ahead of the curve and ensure you have both your rental RV and your campsite booked and ready to go before things start filling up. It may be a competitive market, but this article is all about giving you that important leg up!
How We Analyzed Holiday RV Booking Trends
Using real RVshare booking data, we analyzed the lead time between when prospective renters book their RVs and when their trips actually start. This shows how far in advance travelers plan, which means you can use that knowledge to plan even better than the average bear. Pretty neat, huh?
Quick Snapshot: Holiday Booking Windows
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the in-depth details below. But right at the start, here’s an at-a-glance guide to help you determine when you’ll want to book based on our real-world booking data.
| Holiday | Average Lead Time (in Days) | Booking Behaviors |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | 63 | High demand + early planning |
| Memorial Day | 54 | Strong early bookings |
| Labor Day | 64 | Consistent summer demand |
| Juneteenth | 64 | Longest planning window |
| Christmas | 37 | More last-minute bookings |
| MLK Day | 33 | Short planning window |
The Holidays That Book the Fastest
Let’s start with the holidays that book the fastest — so you can get ahead of that planning straightaway.
Independence Day: The Busiest RV Travel Holiday
Everyone knows that Fourth of July is high summer mayhem in the best way. But if you’re planning to travel for America’s Birthday, you’re going to be facing high demand. And that means you need to book early.
Independence Day sees the highest volume of bookings on RVshare, and renters are making those reservations with an average 63-day lead time. That means the dates are both popular and well-planned for, so if you’re wanting to getaway this year on the Fourth, start planning now!
Juneteenth: One of the Earliest-Planned Trips
Given that it’s only been federally recognized fairly recently, it might surprise some readers to learn that Juneteeth comes in with the longest planning lead time of any holiday here on RVshare. With renters booking their rigs as early as 64 days ahead of time, this increasingly popular holiday is perfect for peak summer travel, especially since it still sees slightly lower volume than, say, the Fourth of July.
Memorial Day and Labor Day: Consistent Summer Demand
The bookends of summer, Memorial Day and Labor Day see consistent summer demand with relatively lengthy lead times (54 days for Memorial Day; 64 days for Labor Day) and strong booking volume. These two big players require early planning every year, and besides, who doesn’t want to think about their summer getaway in February or March?
Holidays with Shorter Booking Windows
Next up, some (perhaps surprising!) holidays with shorter booking windows.
Christmas: More Flexible, Last-Minute Travel
Even though Christmas is one of the biggest holidays of the year (if not the biggest, especially if you have little kids), it has a surprisingly short lead time in RVshare bookings: just 37 days, a little more than a month.
Perhaps that’s because unpredictable weather and changing family dynamics and desired destinations can translate to more variability in travel plans. But either way, it’s a comfort to know that a last-minute Christmas getaway may be easier to pull off than you’d imagined.
MLK Day: A Short-Notice Getaway
A quick, mid-January blip is the perfect way to slough off the holiday blues, and an MLK Day getaway can, according to our data, be made on relatively short notice. This holiday saw an average lead time of just 33 days, meaning you’ll likely be able to book at the last minute and still find flexibility in both rental rigs and campsites.
What These RV Booking Trends Mean for Travelers
So, what do these insights mean for you as someone looking to plan your picture-perfect RV getaway?
- If you want to travel in the summer, plan earlier. Because it’s such a popular travel time anyway, summer holidays have some of the longest lead times in the game.
- High-demand dates = limited inventory. When everyone’s booking way out ahead of time, rentals (and other resources) simply disappear, which makes booking even earlier more important!
- Shorter lead times don’t always mean lower demand. Which is to say, if you really want to go, the time to book is almost always sooner than later.
Rules of thumb:
- Book your summer holiday plans at least two months in advance, though longer is even better.
- Expect limited options for peak weekends, especially those around major holidays.
- Stay flexible. Flexibility around dates, RV type, and other details increases your chances of finding availability and making your trip happen.
When to Book Your Holiday RV Trip
At a quick glance, here’s when to book your holiday RV trip, depending on which holiday, exactly, you’re trying to travel for:
- 2+ months ahead:
- Independence Day
- Juneteenth
- Labor Day
- 1–2 months ahead:
- Memorial Day
- ~1 month ahead:
- MLK Day
- Christmas
Tips for Booking RV Travel During Holiday Weekends
It can be difficult to compete with others for limited travel resources over busy holiday weekends. But you can still make the trip of your dreams come true if you follow these insider tips.
- Book early for the best RV selection, especially if you have your heart set on something specific
- Be flexible with both dates and pickup locations to increase your odds
- Consider extending your trip beyond peak dates, or skipping peak dates altogether
- Look for less crowded nearby destinations (think: state parks rather than national parks)
- Choose the right RV for your group size (smaller RVs can be more readily available and are often more than suitable for solo travelers and couples!)
Browse RV rental listings early to secure your perfect rig on your preferred dates!
Start Planning Your Next Holiday RV Trip
When it comes to holiday travel, the earlier you plan, the more options you have — though maintaining flexibility and open-mindedness can lead you into adventures you might otherwise have missed out on.
RV travel gives you the highest level of agency and comfort when you’re traveling during busy seasons and holidays, and when you rent through RVshare, you access the largest nationwide selection of peer-owned RVs in the U.S. We also offer roadside assistance and support throughout your trip, so you can kick back, relax, and keep a holiday smile on your face!
FAQs About Holiday RV Travel
The short answer: The earlier, the better. According to proprietary RVshare data, summer holidays often begin booking out two months or more in advance, and even shorter-lead-time holidays begin booking more than one month out.
The holiday with the highest volume of bookings is Independence Day. However, Juneteeth travel is increasing in popularity.
They can be, due to higher demand and limited availability. However, booking early can help you avoid last-minute surge pricing and higher travel costs.
