A recent survey indicates a new consumer generation has different RV travel goals than previous generations.
RVshare’s 2026 Travel Trend Report suggests next year’s travel landscape will reflect a push for flexibility, comfort and cost-effective trips.
Travel Expert Maddi Bourgerie said RVshare’s seventh annual report is based on a nationally representative survey of U.S. travelers. She said the report shows Americans are prioritizing simpler trips, trusted destinations, off-season travel and personalized planning powered by AI.
“Americans are craving travel that is meaningful but manageable,” Bourgerie said. “They want the freedom to explore without overcomplicating the planning process or overspending. This year’s trends show a strong appetite for flexibility, trusted destinations and personalized planning powered by new technology, all of which make 2026 the year of traveling on your own terms.”
RVshare said RV travel continues to be among the fastest-growing ways to explore the U.S.
“More than a third of travelers already have RV vacations planned for the year ahead, led overwhelmingly by millennials, the generation most eager to hit the road,” RVshare said. “Interest is shifting away from crowded national parks toward quieter, lesser-known gems like Crater Lake, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Basin and Canyonlands, where an RV offers the ideal way to stay and explore.”
RVshare said major 2026 events, such as the FIFA World Cup and Route 66’s 100th anniversary, are inspiring even more travelers to choose RV road trips.
The survey indicates shorter, more manageable getaways are increasing. RVshare said interest in shorter trips climbed from 15% in 2025 to 23% in 2026. The company said the result underscored a preference for less stressful, easier-to-coordinate trips.
“As a result, travelers are returning to destinations they already know, trust and love,” RVshare said, “favoring comfort, predictability and meaningful experiences over novelty.”
Affordability is shaping nearly every travel aspect, the survey found. The survey showed 87% of travelers are actively seeking ways to reduce costs. The results found many travelers shifting their plans to off-season travel, shorter trips and value-driven destinations.
Newer RV owners and renters are seeking pet-inclusive travel. RVshare said 71% of pet owners prefer to bring their pets along, and 16% said they would not travel without their pets.
The survey indicates that using AI to plan travel has increased over the past two years. The survey found nearly a quarter of consumers already rely on AI, while 26% more want to start using AI travel planning but are not sure how.
“Rather than replacing the planning experience,” RVshare said, “AI is enhancing it, helping travelers find the best destinations and accommodations, uncover hidden-gem attractions and coordinate transportation or multi-stop itineraries with ease.”
Wakefield Research conducted the RVshare survey from Nov. 6-12. A total of 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and over who have taken a vacation in the past 24 months were surveyed, and the data was weighted.
