Hawaii Is the Most Expensive Summer Vacation in the U.S.

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Apr 18th 2006 at 7:32AM

It's no big surprise that Hawaii is the most expensive place to vacation in the U.S. AAA has released their annual vacation costs survey. They found that a summer vacation will cost 5.4 percent more than last year.

The top five most expensive places for food and lodging for a family of four per day are:
1. Hawaii--$559
2. Washington D.C.--$518
3. Nevada--$348
4. Rhode Island--$329
5. New York--$329

For those on a budget, the bottom five are:
1. North Dakota--$191
2. Nebraska--$191
3. Kansas--$193
4. Iowa--$196
5. Oklahoma--$200

The national average is $261 and the average hotel rate is $141 per night.There are no big surprises in the bottom five but I had no idea that Washington D.C. ranked so high. If I had to guess I would have chosen New York second and placed California and Massachusetts in the top five.

Tags: hawaii, nevada, new york, rhode island, travel, vacation, washington dc

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

Paul Apr 18th 2006 9:37AM

D.C> is #2 because there is just the one city, and it's a huge tourist destination. The state of New York has two big tourist destinations with high tourist prices (NYC and Niagra), but when you factor in all those other towns that don't have much of a tourism industry (Albany, White Plains, etc.) the average prices drop. The same goes for Rhode Island, not really a big destination state, but with Newport as a mahor (and pricey) destination with so few other cities in the state, the statewide average is surpirisingly high. That said, I kind of expected Massachusetts to be on there, what with Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard, but I would have been shocked if California was in the top five (it's just too big).

Razib Ahmed Apr 18th 2006 10:25AM

Kansas can be a good place to visit. $193 per day for a family of 4 is surely reasonable enough and considering the high cost of Hawaii, you can be here 3 times more time than Hawaii. I request you to talk about some nice destinations in Kansas so that the visitors of bloggers can be benefited.

Kim Jones Apr 20th 2006 7:45AM

Please don't let the price of Rhode Island scare you. We have so much to offer the vacationer. The best beaches like Watch Hill and Misquamacut. The City of Providence is full of culture. The arts, sailing, fishing ...we have it all and you don't have to travel far. We are the smallest state. YOU HAVE TO COME VISIT US!

Steve Horn Apr 26th 2006 6:35AM

I was born and raised in Kansas.I enjoy visiting but there is very little that would keep a family interested,and I certainly would not want to go there in the Summer.Unless you want to see a wheat field, and melt in 100+ temps. If you go make it in the Spring or fall.

Jose Apr 26th 2006 6:54AM

Are any of you seriously comparing Kansas to Hawaii as a vacation spot? You people don't get out enough. Hey, the local landfill is an affordable place to visit too, but does anyone really want to go? Get real people.

fred Apr 26th 2006 7:02AM

Kansas, please.......now there is a hot vacation area, just brimming with warm winter and summer filled with corn. Yeesh, kansas - I'll take Aruba anyday.

Sue Apr 26th 2006 7:23AM

Michigan has beautiful temps that won't melt you (80s - 90s). It also has a huge shoreline with many fabulous beaches, and unlike the oceans, nothing in the water will EAT you!

bascoiu Apr 26th 2006 7:32AM

sa ma pis pe vacantele voastre!!!!!
veniti ma in Romania sa vedeti vacante adevarate!
avem cluburi, baruri, cafenele si distractie adevarata!
ce sa mai vb de Mamaia care se va deschide in curand
deci veniti ba la noi!

Maureen Jamgochian Apr 26th 2006 7:46AM

Considering visiting Pennsylvania, especially the Philadelphia area with its rich history, great restaurants and fun places: Manayunk, South Street, the Waterfront. Just 20 miles west of the city is Valley Forge, north is Bucks County with New Hope and Peddlars Village. And, of course, east, the Jersey shore, which I think has the best beaches on the east coast.

Linda Apr 26th 2006 7:58AM

I wonder if this is talking about in city accomodations, because there are places just outside of D.C. that are not nearly as expensive but are reasonably accessible to all of the "touristy things"

Jack Polidoro Apr 26th 2006 8:01AM

You forgot Bermuda, a piece of heaven that has cost so much recently (airfare and hotels) that it is almost prohibitive to go there as a family of four. Sadly, Bermuda relies on the US clientele but has not found a way to ease the costs for US travelers.. I have been there 30 times and now have missed the last three years...sadly....

JOHN R Apr 26th 2006 8:04AM

RHODE ISLAND SHOULD BE OVER ALL # 1 IN COST. TAX'S ARE ABOVE NORMAL.SALES TAX IS ON ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU BUY,WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST BUT MOST EXPENSIVE RESTURANTS. SUPERMARKETS CHARGE HIGH PRICES FOR EVERYTHING. DON'T BE A FOOL, STAY AWAY FROM RHODE ISLAND.

Dave Apr 26th 2006 8:05AM

My wife and I just got back from a Hawaiian cruise aboard NCL's Pride of America. Although not cheap, your food and hotel are taken care of and it relieves the sticker shock of the expense in Hawaii that we experienced on our first trip several years ago. It is a great way to see all the major attractions in Hawaii or to visit some of the "off the beaten path" places which we did this time. It is worth a look.

dave moon Apr 26th 2006 8:15AM

why would anyone ever want to vacation in kansas ? when we drive cross country its the most boring ,flattest place ive ever seen . i wouldnt stop there if they paid me

Amanda Apr 26th 2006 8:21AM

Another great place to visit is the GA mountains, I know it sounds odd, but there are a lot of fun family things to do there, and it's really cheap. There are also really good restaurants, everything from the obvious BBQ to authentic German food. It is also a short day trip from all the cool stuff in ATL.

Christopher Francis Apr 26th 2006 8:25AM

The best travelling deal hands down is Vermont.
Probably Stowe Vermont an eclectic and beautiful Resort community that will give you a terrific valus for your dollar. The British have figured it out, thats why you hear so many of their accents around. Spend your money wisely and visit one of the most caring and attractive communities in the States.
60 restaurants 40 hotels and inns. Its about as romantic as it gets and you should definitely look at Ye Olde England Inne.www.englandinn.com

Kaaren Apr 26th 2006 8:27AM

For a $41/day difference why would anyone pick DC over Hawaii?? I live in Oklahoma and see no reason why anyone would want to vacation here. My family vacations in Hawaii every year--and we do not own a condo or house there... We've been to Europe and the
Caribean but nothing tops Maui!!

susy Apr 26th 2006 8:27AM

Yes Washington DC can be expencive...But go outside the city for room and board..see some of the "outerlimit" sites. Manassas Battlefields, Civil War history abounds west of the city, great museum in Manassas. There is rail into DC from the burbs so you can payless drive less and see more.

Preston Apr 26th 2006 8:32AM

Washington, DC is definitely a lot in expenses, but look at the sites you'll be seeing--Jefferson Memorial, White House, the Capitol, Washington Monument, campuses of Georgetown and Howard, the Pentagon and others. Not to mention sports teams like the Washington Wizards. The historical sites are so deep and extensive. The lowest price places are mostly states with smaller populations. And with Nevada, you have to go online to get the lowest hotel rate rather than getting the regular price. Not just Las Vegas, but Reno and other parts of the state.

Cheryl Apr 26th 2006 8:45AM

I don't get it! We just vacationed just outside of Washington,D.C summer of 2005. Drove into the train station, about 10 min., and took the train to the city everyday. Family of 4, 2 weeks at $2,800 total. Initial 8 hour drive to the hotel (no airfare), but awesome vacation and very reasonable! All the museums are free, and most sights. We called our Congressman 7 weeks in advance and scheduled a tour of the Whitehouse- no charge! We want to go again!

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