RVIA has done the math and is telling the public that RVing and staying at a campground to watch the April 8 total solar eclipse is “far more economical” than flying and staying at a hotel.
RVIA cited a recent Priceline flight and hotel survey of some cities within the total solar eclipse path. The association said average airfare to the cities—Grand Canyon Village in Arizona, Corpus Christi in Texas, Orlando in Florida and Cape Cod in Massachusetts—cost $587 per person. Nightly hotel rates averaged $238.
The association said campgrounds often are available for under $75 a night, with RV rentals able to sleep up to eight people costing less than $100 a night.
RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby said, “What better way to appreciate the awe-inspiring solar eclipse transformation of the mid-day sky than by witnessing it in the peaceful and expansive great outdoors? The fact that it is a lot more affordable to experience this with family and friends in an RV makes this an irresistible option.”
RVIA cited its 2023 study, commissioned by Go RVing and RVIA, finding an RV vacation for a family of four, including total RV ownership cost and use, gas, food and campground fees, averaged $350 a day.
The sight of the sun’s corona around the moon is expected to be seen from campgrounds along the eclipse’s path from Texas to Maine. Many Northeast campgrounds will open their season early to accommodate eclipse watchers. Special viewing parties are scheduled at many campgrounds nationwide.
Campgrounds in the 15 states along the path of totality are already experiencing a steep increase in reservations around the eclipse date, RVIA said. RVshare reported a 2,000% increase in RV rentals for the weekend of April 8 compared with the same weekend in 2022.
