ORLANDO, Fla., May 14 -- Summer travelers will find food and lodging costs up 3 percent in 1997, bringing the daily costs for a family of four to $199, according to AAA.
AAA's annual vacation cost survey shows that a family
of two adults and two children will pay an average of $95 per night for
lodging, up $3 from a year ago. Meal costs rose $3 to $104 per day.
North Dakota is the least expensive state in which to
travel, with family meal and lodging costs averaging $129 per day. Other
low-cost vacation states include Nebraska, $137 per day; South Dakota,
$140; Iowa, $146; and Kansas $147. Families visiting popular vacation or
business travel destinations may encounter higher travel costs, AAA cautioned.
The most expensive state for vacation costs is Hawaii, where lodging and meals average $411 per day. The second most expensive state is New York at $312 per day, followed by New Jersey, $272; California, $258; and Louisiana, $257.
In addition, AAA said vacationers traveling by auto should budget approximately $5 for gasoline for every 100 miles of driving, based on gas priced at $1.25 per gallon and a vehicle consuming 25 miles per gallon. It also is important for families to budget money for entertainment, souvenirs and unexpected expenses.
To save on vacation costs, AAA offers the following advice:
-- Book accommodations in advance to ensure availability
and selection. A travel agent can help find a room that meets individual
needs and budget.
-- Stay in outlying areas, away from popular tourist
or business destinations.
-- Pack a picnic or eat your large meal at lunch to take
advantage of lower menu prices.
-- To lower fuel costs, keep your car in top condition
and travel at a steady, moderate speed.
-- Use discounts, such as those offered to AAA members,
to save at hotels, restaurants and attractions.
AAA's meal and lodging cost figures are based on prices
listed in AAA's TourBooks(R).
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 99 motor clubs
with more than 1,000 offices providing more than 39 million members in
the U.S. and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related
services.
Total Meal
State (rank)
Costs* Lodging**
Total
Alabama
$107
$62 $169
Alaska
$113
$104 $217
Arizona
$112
$118 $230
Arkansas
$89
$73 $162
California
$124
$134 $258
Colorado
$104
$132 $236
Connecticut
$116
$89 $205
Delaware
$135
$111 $246
Florida
$110
$142 $252
Georgia
$100
$115 $215
Hawaii
$141
$270 $411
Idaho
$94
$84 $178
Illinois
$111
$114 $225
Indiana
$90
$63 $153
Iowa
$84
$62 $146
Kansas
$84
$63 $147
Kentucky
$100
$65 $165
Louisiana
$122
$135 $257
Maine
$103
$74 $177
Maryland
$121
$123 $244
Massachusetts
$111
$183 $294
Michigan
$91
$76 $167
Minnesota
$99
$53 $152
Mississippi
$107
$67 $174
Missouri
$92
$83 $175
Montana
$94
$61 $155
Nebraska
$82
$55 $137
Nevada
$124
$88 $212
New Hampshire
$100
$88 $188
New Jersey
$131
$141 $272
New Mexico
$105
$65 $170
New York
$140
$172 $312
North Carolina
$98
$96 $194
North Dakota
$80
$49 $129
Ohio
$99
$74 $173
Oklahoma
$89
$71 $160
Oregon
$112
$81 $193
Pennsylvania
$111
$107 $218
Rhode Island
$108
$98 $208
South Carolina
$98
$56 $154
South Dakota
$78
$62 $140
Tennessee
$97
$72 $169
Texas
$105
$79 $184
Utah
$106
$85 $191
Vermont
$105
$103 $208
Virginia
$110
$88 $198
Washington
$102
$93 $195
West Virginia
$93
$82 $175
Wisconsin
$94
$85 $179
Wyoming
$91
$90 $181
National Average $104 $95 $199
Most Expensive
States
Least Expensive States
1. Hawaii ($411)
1. North Dakota ($129)
2. New York ($312)
2. Nebraska ($137)
3. New Jersey ($272)
3. South Dakota ($140)
4. California ($258)
4. Iowa ($146)
5. Louisiana ($257)
5. Kansas ($147)
* excludes beverages, taxes and
gratuity
** 2 person/2 beds rate plus
$12 for two children
SOURCE American Automobile Association
CONTACT: Jerry Cheske or Mike Morrissey, 407-444-8000,
both of AAA/