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The Cheapest U.S. Cities for a July 4th Getaway in 2025
Plan an affordable Fourth of July trip to these cities with cheap flights and car rentals, plus festive events.
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Updated · 6 min read
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Managing Editor Traveling over the Fourth of July is usually pricey. But if you're looking for a budget-friendly escape, there are still plenty of low-cost flights and car rentals you can book for the holiday weekend — especially if hot temperatures don't bother you.
NerdWallet worked with travel deals aggregator Skyscanner to find cities with affordable flights and car rentals over the summer holiday.
Cheapest airports to fly to for July Fourth weekend 2025
Skyscanner analyzed round-trip fares to all U.S. airports for flights between July 3 and July 7, booked three months out. Airports in these cities offered the lowest average round-trip fares during that period.
- Palm Springs, California – $138.03.
- Bozeman, Montana – $143.18.
- Hilo, Hawaii – $165.11.
- Buffalo, New York – $170.27.
- Savannah, Georgia – $172.83.
- Las Vegas – $179.28.
- Orlando, Florida – $180.62.
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – $180.62.
- Miami – $183.20.
- San Diego – $187.12.
Why are some of these popular destinations so inexpensive this time of year? Some of the cities on this list can get ridiculously hot in July, driving down demand. Before booking, check the weather and plan an itinerary that minimizes your outdoor time during peak heat.
And of course, these are just averages. It can be much cheaper to fly for July Fourth on some days versus others.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Some of those cheap fares have to do with sample size. Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is relatively small, with no cross-country flights to bring up the average flight price. Cheapest cities to rent a car over July Fourth weekend 2025
What if you need to rent a car? Skyscanner looked at rental car prices to find cities with the lowest average daily rate, also for rentals between July 3 and July 7.
Of the major U.S. cities, here are the cheapest cities to rent a car, as well as the average daily rental car rate based on standard sedans:
- New York – $44.81.
- Las Vegas – $49.15.
- Phoenix – $53.52.
- San Diego – $53.94.
- Kissimmee, Florida – $54.64.
- Seattle – $54.99.
- Orlando, Florida – $66.15.
- Spokane, Washington – $66.47.
- Nashville, Tennessee – $68.39.
- Austin, Texas – $77.74.
Where should you go for July Fourth?
Choose a destination with a combination of cheap flights and hotels, plus discounts on food and lodging, and ideally, plenty of fun activities. Here are the destinations that check most of those boxes.
Palm Springs, California
For just $138 on average for a round trip, Palm Springs is at the top of our list for cheapest places to fly for July Fourth. But come prepared for triple-digit temperatures, which can limit your outdoor activities.
Take advantage of early-morning hikes in Indian Canyons before it heats up, or stroll through the boutiques along Palm Canyon Drive.
To escape to cooler temperatures, ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a rotating tram car that transports you from the desert valley up to Mount San Jacinto State Park. At the top, explore the visitor center or nearby trails.
Downtown Palm Springs has many great lodging options, especially if you have hotel points. You can stay at the Thompson Palm Springs, which opened in October 2024 as a World of Hyatt property. For a pool with a view, head to the rooftop of the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel. The pet-friendly hotel is part of IHG One Rewards.
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Still not sure?
Hotels slash rates in July’s sizzling heat, but the heat might be a benefit if your ideal Independence Day is lounging poolside anyway.
Miami, Florida
Yes, it's hot. But it's also sizzling with fireworks, rooftop parties, and waterfront energy that only Miami can deliver. You might spend the morning on the beach, then escape the heat at Pérez Art Museum Miami (free for Bank of America cardholders on the first weekend of the month) and then cap off the day with a rooftop soirée.
Speaking of, Miami has tons of hotels to choose from, and some are hosting their own July Fourth parties. For example, Moxy South Beach has not just a big bash, but also an incredible rooftop offering views of Miami Beach’s fireworks display. Hotel guests who book the ‘Front Row Seats to the Fireworks!’ package get a $50 food and beverage credit (redeemable at Serena Rooftop, Bar Moxy, or Tiendita) plus party entry at no additional cost.
To get that deal, use promo code CUE (valid for stays between July 3 and 7).
Bozeman, Montana
Besides being a cheap place to fly for the Fourth of July, Bozeman is delightful in summer. Long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures (average high temperatures are in the low 80s) make it ideal for an outdoor getaway.
Bozeman's proximity to national parks is appealing if you're looking to go on some adventure-filled day trips. It typically takes less than two hours to drive to Yellowstone National Park.
Just under 40 miles from Bozeman, the Livingston Roundup Rodeo is one of Montana’s biggest Independence Day events. This annual rodeo has been a local tradition since 1924, drawing competitive cowboys and cowgirls to take part in bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing for a crowd of more than 10,000 spectators.
San Antonio, Texas
When making your travel budget, consider more than just flights and hotels, but what you'll actually do once you're there. San Antonio delivers serious bang for your buck with cultural festivities, walkable districts and an epic fireworks display.
The official fireworks show on July 4th takes place at Woodlawn Lake Park, but the festivities stretch far beyond the lake and a single day. From July 1–6, more than five blocks of Houston Street burst into red, white and blue, with food vendors, community performances and military honors.
You'll find other festivities in other major tourist areas including the city's famous River Walk and the Historic Market Square. The Alamo celebrates with immersive historical programming all weekend. Expect live demonstrations, from black powder firing to Spanish Colonial-era crafts. Interactive family activities include colonial games and craft stations like corn husk doll-making. On July 4, visitors can even sign a giant Declaration of Independence and watch fireworks over this iconic site.
Theme parks also join the celebration. SeaWorld San Antonio hosts fireworks, while a new nighttime experience, AquaGlow, lights up the park with neon decor. Nearby, Six Flags Fiesta Texas presents Star-Spangled Nights on July 4–5 with roller coasters by day and fireworks and patriotic music by night. Its Summerbration series continues through Labor Day with limited-time shows. To save on tickets, use third-party discount retailers such as Undercover Tourist.
As far as free or cheap activities, The River Walk and Historic Market Square feature artisan vendors decked out in patriotic themes. For indoor fun, the Witte Museum is a value-friendly pick — tickets are under $20 and discounts or free days are available through platforms like Go City.
Orlando, Florida
When most people think of Orlando, they think of the Disney parks and the new Universal Epic Universe. Sure, those places draw the most attention (and the most dollars), but Orlando has other family attractions that are more affordable. Just keep in mind that Orlando is hot and steamy this time of year, and braving the parks is not for the faint of heart. Sunscreen, hats and water bottles are a must.
SeaWorld Orlando tickets start at about $70 per adult. That's relatively cheap compared to a one-day adult ticket at Walt Disney World, which starts at about $120. On May 1, SeaWorld Orlando debuted an attraction called Expedition Odyssey, a simulator-style thrill ride set in the Arctic.
You can also stroll through Icon Park, a 20-acre entertainment complex with shops, museums and attractions (some of which require separate admission).
Disney’s Magic Kingdom hosts a fantastic July Fourth fireworks show. Some of the best places to watch are at the nearby hotels: Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Make a dinner reservation at the California Grill, which offers impeccable views from the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Hilo, Hawaii (Big Island)
If Hawaii is on your bucket list, this might be your moment. Flights to Hilo on the Big Island are the cheapest of any Hawaiian destination this July Fourth, averaging just $165.11 round trip.
Compared to Oahu, Hilo (and the Big Island in general) gives you a quieter, more nature-forward escape. Think volcanic craters, rainforest hikes and lava tubes — all without the Waikiki Beach bustle.
The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo — a DoubleTree by Hilton is a great place to stay, especially if you have Hilton points. It comes with a $39 nightly resort fee, but benefits include two rounds of 9-hole golf daily and a snorkel rental for two. But if you book on points through the Hilton Honors program, resort fees are waived.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Fourth of July weekend in Vegas can be surprisingly affordable. Round-trip flights average just $179.28, and car rentals are among the cheapest in the country at just $49.15 per day.
There’s no shortage of free or low-cost entertainment in Las Vegas. At The Cosmopolitan, the iconic Las Vegas hotel, movies are projected on a big screen at the pool deck every Monday starting May 19, and admission is just $10 to $15. These movies are free for hotel guests or members with MGM Rewards Gold elite status or higher.
Other staples include catching the Bellagio fountain show and walking through Las Vegas Strip hotels designed to resemble Venice, Paris and New York City. Many of these hotels are connected to other hotels or malls, making it easy to stay out of the heat.
For the Fourth of July, there are multiple fireworks shows, including one over Caesars Palace on the Strip, as well as one at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, see this page.
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