Author: Joe Cortez

When it comes to the 2024 holiday season traffic, RVers can expect a major uptick. More and more campers say they will spend their time with family and friends on the road. In fact, the Go RVing Monthly Trends Report discovered thazt around 36.5 million Americans are planning an RV trip for the holiday season. That surge make road travel the most popular way to connect with friends and loved ones. 

Inside the Surge in Holiday Season Traffic 

Last month, the holiday travel kicked off. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving — affectionally known as “Travel Tuesday” — marked the unofficial start of the holiday travel season. And this season is projected to be one of the busiest of all time. According to AAA, over 71 million Americans were projected to travel over the road to see friends and family. That projection would break prepandemic highs. Low fuel prices have a big part to play in the increased travel demand, with the national average hitting their lowest point in 2024. 

For the sunny weather all year long, Florida is the top destination for travelers this holiday season. In the Sunshine State, Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale are the top three spots in 2024. New York City, Anaheim and Los Angeles, and Tampa round out the top six. 

With more people planning their travel starting on “Travel Tuesday,” the holiday season is expected to be busy for roads and campgrounds. Projections by the RV Industry Association(RVIA) show RVing is going to only get more popular after the holiday season. Dealers are seeing continued growth among first-time and returning RVers. 

How to Pave the Way for Holiday Travel

With Travel Tuesday being past, there are things travelers can do now to ensure they have a camping spot to park their RV when it’s time to celebrate. Some of the things RVers can do now to ensure a smooth trip include the following.

• Work through any preventative maintenance your RV needs before traveling. This will reduce the chances of a breakdown or other emergency on the road. 
• Don’t wait until the last minute to book your campground. Searching early and often at your favorite destinations can help you get the most out of your trip. 
• Be sure everything is packed and prepared before you leave. Leaving travel to the last minute can result in purchases on the road. Ultimately, that could  be more expensive than at your home. 

Few Americans experience the natural beauty of the country like campers. So, it should come as no surprise that the RV industry is rallying to support a Congressional act which would boost federal funds for public use lands — including campgrounds in national parks. The RV Industry Association (RVIA) is urging both chambers of Congress to pass the America the Beautiful Act, introduced into the U.S. Senate in November 2024. At the outset, the bill is already receiving broad support from both political parties and independents.

If passed, campers everywhere could see major improvements and conservation efforts through 2033. All lands administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service are eligible under the legislation. The bill would also require require additional reporting to Congress on deferred maintenance backlogs.

Bipartisan Support for the Act in the Senate

A bipartisan group of senators sponsored the The America the Beautiful Act. It’s introdution represents as welcome unified effort following the political division of a presidential election year. Republicans Steve Daines (Montana) and Kevin Kramer (North Dakota), Democrat Mark Warner (Virginia), and Independent Angus King (Maine) all support the bill. If passed, the bills secures funding for public land conservation and improvements for the next eight years. It also extends the Great American Outdoors Act beyond the 2025 expiration date. 

The bill proposes an increase in funding for public land projects — to extend to $2 billion per year. If enacted, its passage would open opportunities for future projects to be cleared sooner. The public, including campers, could also donate to the cause, ensuring the long-term viability of preserving public lands. 

Under the original executive order and legislation prioritized by the Biden administration, the overarching goal of the project is to “conserve, connect, and restore at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 for the sake of our economy, our health, and our well-being.” Original funding came from the federal government, combined with both private and philanthropic donations. According to the Department of the Interior, the project is intended to grant more equitable access to natural resources for all Americans.

RV Industry Applauds Investment in Outdoor Spaces

“The RV Industry Association applauds the introduction of the America the Beautiful Act,” says RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “This extended investment in our public lands is important, as it would allow RVers and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts to continue to access safe, maintained, and enhanced outdoor spaces. We urge Congress to pass this legislation so that the great outdoors can be cherished for generations to come.”

Additional organizations support the legislation as well. Nationally, these include the National Park Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Boone and Crockett Club, and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. It is also supported by state organizations like Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and Friends of Acadia.

Although the legislation has been introduced into Congress, it has not yet been assigned for a hearing. The bill is public for anyone to read.

Ensuring that your trailer is level can be a difficult task for RVers. Manual leveling can be a taxing — and imprecise — process. Cruiser RV gets that, which is why they have announced that they are adding new technology to select 2025 models to make auto-leveling easier for owners. The company now offers the innovative Lippert Ground Control system as an option to their 2025 Shadow Cruiser and MPG models. 

Leveling as Easy as Pushing a Button

When parking on uneven ground or campsites, manually leveling a trailer using hand controls can be challenging. The Lippert Ground Control system simplifies the entire process easy for RV enthusiasts of all skill levels. Instead of making constant adjustments to ensure your trailer is level, it provides a stress-free option. The Lippert Ground Control system simply works with the push of a button. Owners can activate the system either through a wall-mounted touchpad. Or they can use their smartphone with Lippert OneControl.  

Using Hall Effect technology, the system will measure the jack-leg rotations instead of amps to determine when an RV is sitting level. This turns the entire process into a two-minute setup. When it’s time to pack up and leave, the same technology will move the RV height to match the tow vehicle. Thus makes make hitching up and getting back on the road simple. 

A Long-Term System Meant for the Outdoors

To ensure long-term durability, the Lippert Ground Control system is constructed out of heavy gauge steel and is powder-coated. The result is a durable, long-term system. It can be used in all types of climates and terrains. 

“The Lippert auto-leveling option is a great addition to 2025 Shadow Cruiser and MPG models because it makes it easier to set up and keep the coach properly leveled,” says Zach Weaver, national sales manager of Cruiser RV. “This innovation directly addresses our customers’ needs by minimizing setup time and manual adjustments, allowing them to start their camping experience sooner and with less hassle.”

The 2025 Shadow Cruiser and MPG models are currently available at RV dealers across the United States.

A new study shows campers are turning back the clock to a simpler time when they need an RV getaway. The Campspot (Re)Creation Vacation trend report suggests more modern travelers are flocking towards destinations that were popular in the Eighties. For those wondering what’s driving back traffic and time to popular ’80s destinations, the trend is motivated by travelers wanting to reconnect with a past that the remember as a happier time.

Why the ’80s Are Making a Comeback

The return to nostalgia is rooted in recreating memories that today’s travelers were able to build in their own childhood. Among the respondents, 88 percent of all travelers – which increases to 94 percent of Gen Z and 93 percent of Millennials — say they wish they could escape today’s world for a simpler time. Seventy-seven percent said they miss the simplicity of childhood. Seventy-two percent say their wish for simpler times will dictate where they travel to in 2025. More than half said they would gladly give up a week’s salary to go back in time and relive a childhood camping experience. 

Nostalgia, however, does have a price. The wish to return back to our comfort zones will cost a little more in 2025 than it did in 1984. National Park Service average costs 40 years ago were between $6 and $15 in today’s money. Now, getting into a national park will cost you as much as $35 per person. 

But it’s not just getting away that’s driving the return to favorite childhood destinations. In the group, 80 percent said it’s important to recreate some of the simple joys from their youth for their children and grandchildren. Seventy-eight percent say it’s important to pass on the traditions of camping to the next generation. The top skills they want to pass down including building a fire and cooking over it, along with fishing. 

And Those Popular ’80s Destinations Are …

So, where are today’s nostalgia-minded travelers going? In the West, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon are among the top three destinations for campers. In the Midwest, Michigan is the top place to visit, with travelers going back to Mackinac Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Everglades are the top spot in the South, as travelers flock back to Miami. Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Mammoth Cave, Kentucky are also tops on the list. And in the Northeast, travelers are taking their families back to Bar Harbor, Maine, Lake George, New York, and Boston, Massachusetts.  

For those planning to use their RV during the holiday season, there’s good news ahead: National fuel prices are at their lowest they’ve been all year. In the latest AAA National Fuel Price Comparison, the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.06. That price matches the 2024 low record in January. 

Lower Demand, Seasonal Dynamics Contribute to Fuel Price Drop

Trends measured by AAA show the average fuel price dropped by 11 cents in November compared to October 2024. They have also come down year-over-year by 23 cents. In addition, 28 states across the United States now have average gas prices below $3 per gallon. 

One of the reasons national fuel prices may be going down is due to gasoline demand. According to the Energy Information Administration, demand in November has decreased to 8.41 million barrels, a decrease of almost 1 million barrels. And despite reduced refining, as a result of lower demand, stocks increased slightly. 

The news comes as travelers get ready to employ their travel plans ahead of the holiday season, from Thanksgiving and Christmas into New Years. AAA anticipated 80 million Americans traveled over the extended Thanksgiving holiday, with nearly 90 percent taking their trip by car.  

States with Lowest (and Highest) Gas Prices Ahead of Holiday Travel

The cheapest states to fill up the RV are located in the Great Plains and Southern United States. The lowest prices can be found in Oklahoma, with an average of $2.54 per gallon. Other cheap gas states include Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas. On the other side, Hawaii remains the most expensive state for gas, at an average of $4.57 per gallon. California was a close second at an average of $4.44 per gallon, followed by Washington State, Nevada, and Oregon.