10 least 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 cheapest vacation spots. (Costs are based on average published prices for meals and lodgings for two adults.)
1. North Dakota
Lodging: $95.71
Meals: $63.04
Total average daily cost: $158.75
Photo: The Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota. (Will Kincaid / Associated Press)
2. Nebraska
Lodging: $100.33
Meals: $59.32
Total average daily cost: $159.65
Photo: The commercial area of Omaha, Neb. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
3. Kansas
Lodging: $103.40
Meals: $61.22
Total average daily cost: $164.62
Photo: Tulips bask in the April sunshine in Oakdale Park in Salina, Kansas. (Tom Dorsey / Associated Press)
5. South Dakota
Lodging: $109.09
Meals: $65.74
Total average daily cost: $174.83
Photo: The Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. (Mike Stewart / Associated Press)
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7. Alabama
Lodging: $111.99
Meals: $68.76
Total average daily cost: $180.75
Photo: The Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
8. Arkansas
Lodging: $120.43
Meals: $65.66
Total average daily cost: $186.09
Photo: The Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark. (Danny Johnston / Associated Press)
9. Mississippi
Lodging: $110.77
Meals: $76.56
Total average daily cost: $187.33
Photo: Horses at a refuge in Prentiss County in Mississippi. (Thomas Wells / Associated Press)
10. Kentucky
Lodging: $121.02
Meals: $66.74
Total average daily cost: $187.76
Photo: The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. (Morry Gash / Associated Press)
