The Most and Least Expensive Popular Memorial Day Destinations

By Hristina Byrnes Published May 29, 12:00PM EDT

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A weekend getaway has probably been a dream for millions since the coronavirus was declared a pandemic began in March 2020. But as Americans get the COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been refraining from travel in the last 15 months may finally be up to going on a trip. And this Memorial Day weekend may be just the right opportunity for some much-needed vacation.

To compile a list of the most and least expensive popular Memorial Day destinations in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo reviewed information on flight bookings provided by Priceline. The average round trip plane ticket costs are for travel between May 28 and May 31, 2021, with bookings made between May 22 and May 26, 2021. Destinations are listed based on the average round trip plane ticket from most to least expensive.

Summer may not officially be here until the end of June, but the beach-going and backyard barbecue season generally kicks off on Memorial Day weekend. Many Americans are heading to warm weather and fun-filled destinations in the South and West. The overall average ticket cost for the weekend is $313.

Based on the top destinations this holiday weekend, it seems that people are looking to spend some time unwinding on a white sand beaches, in the mountains, or traveling to cities with war memorials where they can honor fallen soldiers.

Some people may be longing for a road trip after a year of travel restrictions. So if you wish to hit the road — after all, National Road Trip Day is May 28 — here are 15 of the best summer road trips you can take in the U.S.

Click here to see the most and least expensive popular Memorial Day destinations

25. Houston, Texas
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $285
> Airport: IAH
> Population: 2,310,432

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24. New York, New York
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $282
> Airport: LGA
> Population: 8,419,316

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23. Atlanta, Georgia
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $280
> Airport: ATL
> Population: 488,800

22. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $277
> Airport: PHL
> Population: 1,579,075

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21. Newark, New Jersey
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $277
> Airport: EWR
> Population: 281,054

20. Palm Beach, Florida
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $275
> Airport: PBI
> Population: 8,723

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Los Angeles International Airp... by Ken Lund

Los Angeles International Airp... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

19. Los Angeles, California
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $274
> Airport: LAX
> Population: 3,966,936

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18. Austin, Texas
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $272
> Airport: AUS
> Population: 950,807

17. Baltimore, Maryland
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $271
> Airport: BWI
> Population: 609,032

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16. Raleigh, North Carolina
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $267
> Airport: RDU
> Population: 464,485

15. Chicago, Illinois
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $266
> Airport: ORD
> Population: 2,709,534

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Nashville International Airpor... by Jonathan Cutrer

Nashville International Airpor... (CC BY 2.0) by Jonathan Cutrer

14. Nashville, Tennessee
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $265
> Airport: BNA
> Population: 663,750

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Denver International Airport, ... by Ken Lund

Denver International Airport, ... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

13. Denver, Colorado
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $258
> Airport: DEN
> Population: 705,576

12. Minneapolis, Minnesota
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $255
> Airport: MSP
> Population: 420,324

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11. Seattle, Washington
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $250
> Airport: SEA
> Population: 724,305

10. Detroit, Michigan
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $246
> Airport: DTW
> Population: 674,841

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9. New Orleans, Louisiana
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $241
> Airport: MSY
> Population: 390,845

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Tampa Terminal (CC BY-SA 2.0) by mark6mauno

8. Tampa, Florida
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $231
> Airport: TPA
> Population: 387,916

7. Miami, Florida
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $224
> Airport: MIA
> Population: 454,279

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6. Fort Myers, Florida
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $219
> Airport: RSW
> Population: N/A

5. Las Vegas, Nevada
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $218
> Airport: LAS
> Population: 634,773

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4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $216
> Airport: MYR
> Population: 32,700

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Central concourse, Orlando Air... by Phillip Capper

Central concourse, Orlando Air... (CC BY 2.0) by Phillip Capper

3. Orlando, Florida
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $206
> Airport: MCO
> Population: 280,832

2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $190
> Airport: FLL
> Population: 180,124

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1. Oakland, California
> Avg. round trip ticket cost: $174
> Airport: OAK
> Population: 425,097

About the Author Hristina Byrnes →

Hristina Byrnes is the editor of 247Tempo.com, where she handles the site's assignments and editing. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, which she earned in 2012, and she specializes in translating complex health data research into engaging, accessible stories for a general audience.

When she's not poring over the latest data sets or brainstorming story ideas, you can find Hristina watching tennis, playing tennis with her son, or trying to get her daughter into tennis.