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RV Rush: Millions Opt for Road Trips Over Flights This Holiday Season

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. road-trips-over-flights-this-holiday-season.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 15:27 GMT by Fox Business

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Road‑Travel Rebounds: Millions Ditch Airports for RVs as Holiday Season Rushes In

The holiday travel season has long been dominated by flights, but a fresh Fox Business investigation reveals a dramatic shift: travelers are turning to the open road, and the RV (recreational vehicle) market is booming. Drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, industry analysts, and a number of anecdotal accounts, the piece charts how, for the first time in years, more people are leaving airports behind and opting for RVs, rental vans, or personal cars to reach family, friends, and vacation spots.

1. The Numbers Speak

The article opens with a striking statistic: 18% of RV owners in the United States last year chose the vehicle for their primary holiday trip—a figure that has climbed since 2020. Industry reports cited in the story note that the RV sales boom—nearly 30% year‑over‑year growth—has been largely driven by people who previously flew. A 2023 U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics survey found that airport traffic dropped by 12% compared to the previous year, a decline attributed to both lingering pandemic anxieties and a shift toward more flexible, personal modes of travel.

By mid‑December, the Fox Business piece reports, half of all major U.S. interstate highways were experiencing traffic volumes above normal. “We’re seeing cars, vans, and especially recreational vehicles in unprecedented numbers,” the article quotes a traffic‑management official from the California Department of Transportation.

2. Why the Switch?

2.1 Safety and Health Concerns

The piece notes that “pandemic‑era anxiety still lingers,” particularly among families traveling with children or older relatives. Airports, with their mandatory masks, screening protocols, and perceived crowd density, feel less appealing. The article cites a survey from the National Association of RV Dealers (NARD) that indicates 70% of respondents said they avoided flying because they felt “uncomfortable” with airport security and the possibility of contagion.

2.2 Cost Factors

With airline ticket prices recovering slowly after last year’s spike, the article explains how many travelers find the combined cost of a flight, checked‑baggage fees, and airport parking exceeds that of a full‑size RV rental or a long‑haul car hire. “For a family of four, an RV can cost as little as $200 a week, compared to $500 for round‑trip flights plus parking and baggage fees,” the piece states, based on data from travel‑booking sites like Cruise America and Road Bear.

2.3 Flexibility and “Home” Comfort

Another driver highlighted is the flexibility of RV travel: “You’re not bound to a flight schedule,” says a travel‑industry consultant quoted in the article. Travelers can “stop at any state park, rest at any motel, or even camp on a friend’s property,” adding a sense of home and spontaneity that airports lack. The article underscores how the open‑road lifestyle allows for multi‑stop itineraries that are impossible when you’re booked to a single destination.

2.4 Environmental Concerns

The Fox Business article points out that some travelers are looking to reduce their carbon footprints by traveling by road rather than plane. While RVs are not inherently “green,” many drivers opt for more fuel‑efficient, newer models equipped with solar panels, electric battery packs, or hybrid engines. A niche segment of eco‑tourists is also using the open road to explore remote, lesser‑known regions that are off the beaten path.

3. Industry Ripple Effects

3.1 Airlines Re‑thinking Routes

The decline in airport traffic has led several airlines to cut or suspend routes that were previously profitable only during peak holiday travel. The article reports that Delta Air Lines announced the discontinuation of its “Holiday Express” route between Atlanta and Orlando, citing low demand. The piece also highlights a trend toward “more flexible ticketing options” as airlines try to compete with the convenience of RV travel.

3.2 Road‑Infrastructure Pressure

Local governments are grappling with the increased strain on highways and parking lots. A cited interview with the mayor of Phoenix notes that “the city’s main highway was on a ‘blackout’ traffic alert this weekend because of an unexpected influx of RVs.” The article concludes that road maintenance budgets may need to be revised to accommodate longer vehicle dwell times.

3.3 Rental and Sales Market Expansion

The demand for RV rentals is fueling a boom in the rental market. The piece mentions that Rental RV companies have seen an average revenue jump of 25% over the past year, with “pre‑booking windows pushing into January.” New dealerships in the Midwest are already opening “summer‑only” storefronts that cater specifically to holiday travelers.

4. The Cultural Shift

The Fox Business article weaves a narrative that suggests the shift is more than a temporary blip—it could represent a lasting cultural transformation. “If you look at the 2020 census data, the number of people who own an RV grew from 2.5 million to 3.1 million in five years,” the article notes. It also cites a 2023 survey by the American Automobile Association that found 62% of respondents believed that “road travel is the future of leisure travel”.

Travel writers interviewed in the piece describe the open road as a “back‑to‑nature” experience that resonates with modern families who value autonomy and a sense of community. “It’s like being on a family road‑trip movie, but in real life,” says one veteran traveler. The article ends on an optimistic note: “Whether you’re a seasoned RV enthusiast or a first‑time renter, the holiday season is proving that the journey can be just as exciting as the destination.”

Key Takeaways

1. RVs and road travel are surging, especially during the holiday season, with an 18% uptick in RV‑based holiday trips.
2. Airports are losing passengers; airlines are adjusting routes and services to match new demand patterns.
3. Cost, safety, flexibility, and environmental factors all drive travelers toward the open road.
4. Infrastructure and industry ecosystems (rental companies, state parks, highways) are adapting to accommodate the surge.
5. The trend may signal a long‑term shift toward more autonomous, home‑style travel experiences.

By 2025, the article posits, the holiday season may be defined not by the bustle of airports, but by the rhythmic hum of engines and the smell of pine from the windows of a cross‑country RV.