10 most expensive states for travelers
The AAA 2008 Vacation Costs Survey, which culls published rates for more than 60,000 restaurants and lodgings, recommends a budget of $244 per day for two while traveling in North America.
Here are the states found to be the most expensive vacation spots. (Costs are based on average published prices for meals and lodgings for two adults.)
1. Hawaii
Lodging: $675.36
Meals: $117.40
Total average daily cost: $792.76
Photo: Hulupoe Beach near the hotel at Manele Bay. (Beverly Beyette / Los Angeles Times)
2. Washington, D.C.
Lodging: $459.90
Meals: $114.84
Total average daily cost: $574.74
Photo: A menorah and flags of the American Army divisions that liberated the Nazi concentration camps stand under the rotunda during the Days of Remembrance Program in the U.S. Capitol on May 1. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
3. New York
Lodging: $219.96
Meals: $99.90
Total average daily cost: $319.86
Photo: People gather near the lions in front of the New York Public Library on 42nd Street in New York. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)
4. Nevada
Lodging: $177.32
Meals: $123.52
Total average daily cost: $300.84
Photo: Cutout shapes that frame views of the Sierra Nevada from the rooftop sculpture garden is one of many of the aspects of the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. (Scott Sady / Associated Press)
7. Rhode Island
Lodging: $202.72
Meals: $83.82
Total average daily cost: $286.54
Photo: A Westin Hotel overlooks Waterplace Park and Memorial Boulevard in Providence. (Kris Craig / Associated Press)
8. California
Lodging: $188.38
Meals: $97.16
Total average daily cost: $285.54
Photo: The Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. (Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times)
9. Delaware
Lodging: $179.46
Meals: $104.20
Total average daily cost: $283.66
Photo: Dover Downs Race Track in Delaware. (Rusty Kennedy / Associated Press)
10. New Jersey
Lodging: $186.97
Meals: $94.04
Total average daily cost: $281.01
Photo: Fans enter the Prudential Center before Game Five of the 2008 NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
