Spring travel trends: Hertz
Hertz reports U.S. spring travel is shifting toward more flexible timing, a rise in road trips, and savings on midweek rentals. (travelmole.com) Their analysis suggests flexibility is proving a bigger money‑saver than locking into peak‑week dates and that renters are favoring road‑trip itineraries over fixed schedules. (travelmole.com)
Hertz says U.S. spring car-rental demand is spreading across March and April, with travelers chasing cheaper pickup days and choosing more road trips. (newsroom.hertz.com) The company said its busiest spring pickup days were March 6, March 13 and March 27, with another cluster on April 9, April 17, April 23 and April 24. Hertz published the travel-trends report on April 1, 2026. (newsroom.hertz.com) Hertz said Thursday and Friday are still the most popular days to start a rental, but Wednesday and Sunday pickups are more likely to come with lower rates. It also said travelers typically reserve spring rentals 16 days in advance. (newsroom.hertz.com) Road travel is a bigger part of the mix this spring. Hertz said one in three customers is renting specifically for road trips and driving vacations. (newsroom.hertz.com) That lines up with a broader travel pattern beyond one rental company. Forbes reported on April 13 that AAA data shows Americans are still favoring driving for shorter regional trips in 2026, with higher airfares and airport delays pushing some travelers onto the road. (forbes.com) Warm-weather cities are leading Hertz’s spring demand list. The company named Orlando, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta and Las Vegas among its top destinations, followed by Tampa, Honolulu, Miami, Denver and Dallas. (newsroom.hertz.com) The vehicle mix is shifting with those trips. Hertz said sport utility vehicles and vans are among its most-booked options this spring as families prioritize room for children, luggage and gear. (newsroom.hertz.com) Hertz is also using the report to steer customers toward its own booking tools. The company said free Gold Plus Rewards membership unlocks member rates and counter-skipping, and it promoted a spring sale offering 20% off pay-later rates for bookings made April 6 through April 13 for pickups through June 5. (newsroom.hertz.com) The practical takeaway from Hertz’s data is simple: spring travel in 2026 is less concentrated on one break week, and renters who can shift a trip by a day or two have more chances to find a car and pay less. (newsroom.hertz.com)
