New research from RVIA and Cairn Consulting found that 67 million Americans plan to take an RV trip in 2023.
The total is up from the last survey RVIA and Cairn released in the summer of 2022. At that time, the survey found 65 million Americans planning to take an RV trip in the next 12 months.
The most recent survey showed 37% of American leisure travelers plan an RV trip in 2023. Leisure travelers are defined as any U.S. resident who has taken some type of leisure trip in the past year.
The top reasons leisure travelers cited for taking an RV trip are exploring the outdoors and having additional flexibility through remote work or school. The number of respondents who cited flexibility in work increased 12% in the past year.
The survey found finances are driving plans. On average, RVIA said RV vacations cost 50% less than comparable hotel and plane ride trips and a third less than hotel and car ride trips. The most popular RV trip destinations include state and national parks.
The highest interest in RVing comes from the younger age groups, the survey found. Just under half (49%) of Generation Z and 48% of millennials plan to take an RV trip in the next year. Their purchase intent is also higher, RVIA said, with 41% of Generation Z and 35% of millennials planning to buy an RV in the next year.
The survey polled 1,212 respondents. The survey results have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.74 percentage points.
