All the normal summer vacation hubs, from the local pool to Disneyland, are closed for the foreseeable future due to the pandemic. With Memorial Day on the horizon, resort towns are grappling with the difficult choice to open up and risk the spread of COVID-19, or stay closed and risk a potentially crippling economic hit. So what’s a stir-crazy American vacationer to do?
Rent an RV and hit the road, of course. According to RVshare, basically the Airbnb of recreational vehicles, the peer-to-peer service has recently seen “the highest recorded booking numbers in company history,” computing to a 650 percent spike in reservations since early April. They’re not alone; other RV rental companies around the country are seeing similar surges in business.
“We expect RVs to continue to gain traction as a preferred method of travel while consumers are seeking flexible options and a unique way to experience the outdoors,” Jon Gray, CEO of RVshare, said in a press release. Of course, that’s putting the situation lightly. Even though some states are easing coronavirus-related restrictions and opening up some businesses, travel remains an acute health hazard, especially air travel, as airlines go back on their promises and even refuse to enforce basic protection measures.
In an RV, you get to make the rules for yourself. Masks or no masks, hand sanitizer in every cup holder or cans of sparkling water, driving through towns or sticking to the outskirts. That autonomy paired with cheap gas prices and open roads makes the RV a tantalizing prospect for many Americans.
Just remember, when you wear a mask, it’s not for your protection, it’s for the protection of others. So for those choosing to travel around in an RV this summer, be courteous in any cities you rumble through.
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