New data reveals the surprising places Americans are booking for July 4

Many Americans have one thing on their minds when it comes to Fourth of July travel this year: What’s the best bang for the buck? That question is leading people to some perhaps surprising places to ring in the U.S.’s 250th, according to a report released this week by Expedia. Among people searching for travel in a roughly six-week period bookending the July 4th holiday, there’s been a 1,265% increase in searches using budget filters compared to the comparable periods last year, according to data from the Seattle-based company. In addition to the surge in budget-related searches, travelers are also looking to stretch their dollars by using rewards, choosing all-inclusive stays, or considering off-the-beaten path destinations, Melanie Fish, vice president of Expedia Group Public Relations, said in a statement. “This summer, travelers are less ‘where do I want to go?’ and more ‘how do I make this trip work?’” Making a trip work this year might mean traveling to some smaller destinations that provide access to iconic destinations. Thanks to their relative proximity to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone, that’s led to double-digit increases in Expedia searches for travel to the following destinations compared with 2025: Moab, Utah Gatlinburg, Tennessee Flagstaff, Arizona Mariposa, California Bozeman, Montana It may be tempting to think that these travelers have swapped the crowds at fireworks shows in major cities for the relative tranquility of the great outdoors, but the parks could also be teeming with people. That’s because all national parks will offer free entry for three days this year—from July 3 through July 5. SAVING ON CAMPING The trend in budget-conscious travel this year is even leading some Americans to try to save money on their annual summer camping trip, according to data Hipcamp shared with Fast Company. As with Expedia, trends on the campsite-booking app suggest that peop