Three Forces Behind the “Stay-Close” Summer

Why Americans Are Choosing to Stay Close to Home This Summer: St. George Tops Expedia's List With 125% Growth

Something curious is happening in American travel plans for summer 2026: the closer the destination, the bigger the demand. According to Expedia Group's “Unpack ’26 Summer: The Trends in Travel” report, 63% of American travelers are planning a domestic trip this summer, and social media conversation about U.S. road-trip destinations has doubled compared to last year. Leading the surge is St. George, Utah, where lodging searches have jumped 125%, followed by Tacoma, Washington (+120%), and Asheville, North Carolina (+80%).

Melanie Fish, Vice President of Global PR at Expedia Group, explains the shift simply: travelers are choosing destinations closer to home in response to economic pressure and global uncertainty. Ease of travel, she says, has become just as much a draw as the destination itself — sometimes the most appealing trip is the one that doesn’t require going far at all.

The numbers back her up. Searches for beach destinations in Florida and California climbed 50%, while interest in lakes, mountains, and national parks jumped 65% year over year. And these places are no longer being chosen as a budget-friendly fallback — they’ve become a preferred choice in their own right.

The Top Three Destinations, Up Close

St. George, Utah (+125%): This desert gateway leads the list by a clear margin, largely thanks to its position as the entryway to Zion National Park, where desert trails meet mountain adventure in a setting that suits families. What really sets it apart is that lodging costs are relatively low compared to other national-park destinations, making it a smart pick for travelers who want a rich outdoor experience without the price tag of an international alternative.

Tacoma, Washington (+120%): Tacoma has earned Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check seal, a framework inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) for assessing sustainable tourism management. Its location offers easy access to Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, plus a pleasant waterfront dining scene downtown. The surge in interest seems tied to a growing appetite for a quiet, affordable base camp for exploring nature, away from big-city crowds.

Asheville, North Carolina (+80%): A southern destination suited to travelers seeking calm away from the ordinary. It combines the Blue Ridge Mountains, nearby lakes such as Lake Lure, and the French Broad River, which winds through the heart of the small city, alongside a thriving craft-beer scene. Southern Living’s analysis describes Asheville as offering exactly the mix of natural draws this summer’s traveler is after, at a time when interest in national parks and lakes is rising across the board.

The Full Picture: Ten Destinations Leading Summer 2026

The list doesn’t stop at the top three. Here are the ten fastest-growing summer 2026 destinations, according to Expedia data:

✓ marks destinations that meet the Smart Travel Health Check standard for sustainable tourism.

More Than Just Proximity

What stands out in this year’s list isn’t only the size of the search-growth numbers — it’s that four of the ten destinations, Tacoma, Santa Cruz, Truckee, and Providence, already meet sustainable-tourism standards. That suggests American travelers aren’t just looking for somewhere nearby to spend their vacation; they’re looking for a destination that’s managed responsibly toward its community and environment. At a time when concerns about overtourism in major global destinations keep growing, this “stay-close” summer looks less like a temporary economic workaround and more like the start of a redefinition of local travel — as an elegant, sustainable choice in its own right.

In the end, if you’re planning your summer 2026 trip, you might not need your passport this time. St. George, Tacoma, and Asheville aren’t waiting for anyone — they’re simply topping American travelers’ searches at the fastest pace in years. “Stay-close summer” is no longer just a marketing slogan; it’s a digital reality reflected in every search on Expedia.