Travel has been a passion for humankind since settled people abandoned their huts and gardens to become nomads and humanity began to migrate. Nowadays we continue to migrate, but in a very different way because we consider the price of hotels, transportation, gasoline, restaurants, and the activities we’ll enjoy at the new destination. To save you the trouble of researching, we’re revealing the best and worst states to go on vacations more often in 2026!
Best – Tennessee
The Smoky Mountains are one of Tennessee’s biggest attractions, and the dozens of highways connecting the state from the Southeast create a seamless link between Tennessee and the surrounding region. Add to that Tennessee’s low cost of living and the fact that the lakes and beaches near Nashville are easily accessible by car, and you have a state well worth visiting. Tennessee residents spend little on household expenses, leaving them with plenty of money to enjoy. You should go on vacations more often there.
Best – Texas
The fact that Texas has several large airports within its borders makes it easy for thousands of tourists to reach the state. From there, the highways lead to Texas’s attractions, including its beaches and Hill Country towns, where prices are significantly lower. Because taxes are low, many residents prefer to relax in a Texas town on weekends rather than travel to another country for vacations.
Best – North Carolina
North Carolina boasts a geographic map that many states would envy, allowing you to visit both beaches and mountains within a few hours. Adding to these attractions, travelers are drawn to affordable cabins, small-town getaways, and relaxing weekends at the beach, all of them activities that will drawn you on this type of vacations more often. In a world facing economic hardship and rising prices, prioritizing short regional trips is a smart move.
Best – Missouri
A household’s finances are determined by several factors. It’s not just the amount of money that comes in that matters; saving in one area allows you to allocate it to another. This is how Missouri residents manage their daily lives without many extra expenses, saving up for short weekend trips. And the fact that the state is centrally located makes Missouri easily accessible to many people. The Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Botanical Garden, and the St. Louis Zoo are some of its most famous attractions.
Best – Florida
While millions of people have to travel for hours by plane to visit Florida, those who live there are already close to the beaches, the cruise ship ports, and all the tourism infrastructure. If you have the opportunity to experience a vacation just steps from your home, why not take advantage of it? However, Florida residents should keep an eye out for flight deals and discounts on attractions, as these will be related to the amount of tourism the area receives.
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Best – Arizona
There’s so much to do in Arizona, from visiting national parks and staying in a desert hotel to exploring other spots in the Southwest after a few hours of driving. Cities like Sedona and Flagstaff, as well as small desert towns, are very popular and appealing. These destinations have a vintage, nostalgic vibe, and you’ll be walking along streets that transport you back in time. Arizona is a state where the appeal lies in outdoor vacations, which helps keep costs down.
Best – Wisconsin
Wisconsin is another affordable state to live in and vacation in. The abundance of lakeside towns, cabins, and easy access to the entire state via highways makes it very appealing. And it turns out that a vacation in the Great Lakes is much less expensive than staying in a luxury hotel in a coastal state. In Wisconsin, you can always share cabins or camp to save money.
Best – Georgia
If a state boasts a steady stream of tourists and also offers attractions like mountains, lakes, and beaches, it’s bound to become popular and crowded. Atlanta’s airport is one of the nation’s major hubs, but if you’re looking to save money and travel to Georgia by car, that’s also a budget-friendly option. Northern Georgia has become a popular destination for travelers facing economic hardship. This is one of the states you should plan some vacations more often.
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Worst – California
California presents a significant problem for its residents and the temporary tourists who travel within its borders. The state faces a very high cost of living and housing. In this regard, both the rising price of gasoline and the added cost of coastal tourism contribute to exorbitant prices. This is why many Californians choose to take short vacations to nearby towns, as saving for a longer trip is quite difficult for them.
Worst – Hawaii
Just like Florida, Hawaii is already a paradise for vacationers, so some residents would prefer to enjoy its beaches rather than others. But the truth is, due to the high volume of tourism in the state, flights are very expensive, imports of goods and food increase the cost of living for everyone, and any activity costs money. To make matters worse, if you think to go on vacations more often there, even activities far from the coast can reach a considerable price during peak season.
Worst – New York
The traffic congestion in New York City is alarming. Many residents of the state say that the high cost of housing makes traveling quite difficult. New York receives a large influx of tourists throughout the year, so crowded airports and downtown areas are commonplace. The entire Northeast Corridor is affected by this influx of people. Again, with limited budgets, you can’t go on vacations more often, New Yorkers often choose to travel to nearby, smaller cities to avoid the financial strain of air travel.
Worst – Massachusetts
For all the activities you want to do in Massachusetts, you’ll need to spend money. Besides the usual expenses for a house, transportation, parking, and eating out are quite costly. And if you pay attention, you’ll notice that prices increase even more during that period when people go on vacations more often. The solution is to explore Massachusetts and its Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Common, and Fenway Park during the off-season to reduce costs.
Worst – Washington
Washington offers stunning scenery, but the price is very high housing costs and exorbitant prices for basic meals. Those living in the Seattle area will face accommodations well above the national average, or the added expense of being a tourist city. Outdoor activities remain popular in Washington because they are much less expensive than taking vacations more often and going into luxury hotels.
Worst – Colorado
In the 2020s, the rising cost of living and tourism have caused Colorado’s prices to increase. Ski towns have become a major obstacle for middle-class people who want to visit and experience small-town charm and go on vacations more often. To make matters worse, in most cases, a weekend getaway in Colorado can be a headache and result in surprisingly high prices.
Worst – Oregon
Millions of people have considered relocating within the United States and have taken positive action. Oregon has welcomed countless travelers thanks to its stunning scenery and amazing hospitality. It’s a state with both coastal towns and mountain ranges, making it incredibly appealing. And for those living in the Portland area, taking vacations more often can be a challenge due to the high cost of living.
Worst – Nevada
You may have heard about the casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, when you’re younger, but as an adult, considering the economics, that plan seems anything but fun. Tourism is once again wreaking havoc on the state, causing prices to skyrocket and don’t allow you to go on vacations more often there. Tickets to entertainment venues, hotel rates, and even parking could frustrate anyone wanting to vacation there. Those who live in Nevada are looking for hotels outside the Las Vegas area with outdoor access rather than entering a casino. We don’t understand why people get on vacations more often there.
