by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:15 AM ET, Thu April 2, 2026
New data from the rental car company Hertz shows that
Americans are traveling differently this Spring Break, with more flexible
timing and longer getaway windows as top priorities in 2026.
According to Hertz, travelers are skipping the single
peak spring break week and instead taking vacations across both March and
April, opening more opportunities for families and groups to travel and save.
The study found that the top pickup days were forecasted to
be April 9, April 17, April 23, and April 24. In March, the most popular pickup
days were March 6, March 13, and March 27.
While Thursday and Friday remain the most popular pickup
days for spring travel, Hertz found that starting a rental on Wednesday or
Sunday offers lower rates.
In addition, around 33% of Hertz customers said they were
renting specifically for road trips and driving vacations, reflecting renewed
interest in car travel.
As for the top spring destinations based on rental car
demand, Hertz found that Orlando remained at the top of the list, followed by Los
Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tampa, Honolulu, Miami, Denver, and Dallas.
To ensure customers get the most from their car rental,
Hertz suggests reserving their vehicle 16 days in advance to improve
availability and support cost savings. Early bookings also provide access to a
wider selection of vehicle options.
In March, Hertz revealed data that showed more travelers are
taking
to the roads to avoid congestion at America’s busiest airports following
the partial government shutdown.
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