If it feels like everyone you know is either at the airport or behind the wheel this summer — you’re not imagining it. Road trips are having another big moment in 2025, and travelers are getting savvy with their car rental choices, according to new booking trends from EconomyBookings.com, one of the fastest-growing car rental platforms in the world.

The summer snapshot shows that Americans are leaning into comfort, flexibility, and a touch of practicality when hitting the road. The Toyota Corolla leads as the most rented car model this year, followed closely by the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Jetta — a slight shift from last summer, when the RAV4 held the top spot. SUVs, full-size, and midsize vehicles remain the go-to classes for travelers across the board.

“Americans want cars that can keep up with their summer,” says Alen Baibekov, CEO of EconomyBookings.com, which is part of The Booking Group Corporation. “That means roomy enough for bags and friends, reliable for long drives, and fuel-efficient enough that they don’t regret choosing the open road.”

The data backs him up: The most popular rental locations this summer are Denver International Airport, LAX, and Orlando International Airport — all hubs for adventure-bound tourists. That’s a slight change from 2024, when Orlando took the top spot ahead of Denver and L.A., suggesting a growing interest in national parks, road trip loops, and cooler mountain destinations.

So what else are travelers adding on? The top extra options for the past two summers have stayed the same: Full Coverage, Roadside Assistance, and Last-Minute Cancellation, all offered directly through EconomyBookings.com. Another crowd favorite is Additional Driver, which allows travel partners to split time behind the wheel (and the playlists).

And if you think everyone is gone for the weekend, you’d be wrong. The average rental length is a full 7 days, with registered users tacking on an extra day on average. That means travelers are using their vacation time (finally), and not just for quick escapes.

With bookings showing no signs of slowing, EconomyBookings.com expects the road trip trend to keep rolling well into fall.

“Summer travel is no longer just about flights and hotels,” says Baibekov. “It’s about freedom, discovery, and the thrill of the road. We’re seeing people plan smarter, drive further, and make the journey part of the adventure.”

So whether you’re headed to the Rockies, the Pacific Coast Highway, or a Disney resort, expect to see plenty of RAV4s, Corollas, and Jettas on the highway — each packed with coolers, playlists, and memories in the making.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250820825898/en/

Summer trends in American rental cars