If there’s ever a time of year to hit the open road or jet off to a bucket list destination, it’s now! In many parts of the U.S., temperatures are dipping, and leaves are changing, creating the perfect conditions for a picturesque fall getaway. Autumn is also an ideal time to travel internationally, especially to Europe, when it’s less busy than summer.

“With milder weather and fewer crowds, this is the perfect time of year to plan a special getaway,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “More people are flying both domestically and internationally this season, and many travelers are taking this opportunity to enjoy the fall foliage in places like Alaska and New England.”

AAA’s Top Fall Destinations

Domestic	International
Orlando	Rome
Boston	Paris
Seattle	London
Denver	Vancouver
Las Vegas	Dublin
New York City	Athens
Los Angeles	Barcelona
Fort Lauderdale	Amsterdam
Honolulu	Venice
Atlanta	Lisbon

 

According to AAA booking data, flights and cruises are the two travel categories that are seeing increased demand compared to last year. Domestic flights are up 1%, and international flights are up 3%. Travelers are paying about the same as they did last fall. The average domestic roundtrip ticket is $660, and the average international roundtrip ticket is $1,315. Domestic cruise bookings are up 19% over last fall, and international cruise bookings are up 6%. The average cost of a cruise from a domestic city is similar to last fall – $2,355 – while the average cost of an international cruise is up 1% to $3,560.

Travelers headed on fall road trips are finding lower pump prices than last year. Gas prices have decreased since late July, partly thanks to a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season. This is also the time of year when stations switch to winter-blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce. Drivers renting cars for their autumn adventures are also finding better rates. The cost to rent a vehicle domestically is down 5% this fall and down 15% for international car rentals. Hertz, AAA’s car rental partner, says cities with the most increased demand this summer would make ideal fall trips include Boston, Denver, Portland (Maine and Oregon!), Montreal, and Vancouver – all top leaf-color-viewing destinations!

For travelers looking for last-minute getaways, Trip Canvas—AAA’s free travel planning site—offers inspiration and ideas for memorable fall escapes.