Know AAA

2008 vacation costs

TRAVEL—According to AAA's latest Annual Vacation Costs Survey, the recommended travel budget for two adults traveling together in North America is $244 per day for lodging and meals.

The most expensive city for vacationers is Honolulu, where the average published prices for meals and lodging for two adults total $673 per day, followed by New York at $606; Miami and Miami Beach, $370; San Diego, $361 and Las Vegas at $358.

The most economical choices are Tulsa, Okla. and Albuquerque, N.M., both with an estimated daily food and lodging cost of $179. They are followed by Wichita, Kan. and Oklahoma City, Okla., both at $194, and Fresno, Calif. at $207.

AAA has been tracking vacation costs since 1950 when the average daily cost for meals and lodging was $13. AAA's meal and lodging costs are based on published prices from more than 60,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants listed in AAA's TourBook guides.