Weekend Getaway Costs: How Much Should You Really Spend?

Jul, 12 2025

Picture this: you’re craving a change of scenery, just a couple of days away from ugly inboxes and dirty laundry piles, and suddenly you’re panicking about money. How much should a weekend getaway cost? There’s no single answer, but what’s clear: most of us overspend, underestimate, or flat-out guess without a plan. The data’s surprising, people get creative with their funds, and even travel experts can be stingy—or wild with their spending. I’ve had weekends with my wife, Lorelei, that swung between ramen-fueled penny pinching to ‘treat-yo-self’ hotel suites. Let’s figure out a real number, so your next escape feels relaxing, not regretful.

The Real Numbers: What People Actually Spend on Weekend Getaways

The average American spends about $400 to $800 for a weekend trip, according to a 2024 Statista survey. But that’s the average. There are wild swings depending on how you travel. Plane tickets bump things up—fly somewhere, and you can double or triple that average. Couples often spend more, not just because of shared meals, but those sneaky add-ons: souped-up Airbnbs, sunset boat rides, and every ‘worth-it’ dessert on the menu. Families fork out even more: the same poll showed parents shelling out $1,000+ after factoring theme park passes, meals for picky eaters, and (let’s be honest) bribes for silence in the back seat.

Here’s a peek at how the money often gets split, rounded out for a trip two hours away from home:

Category	Low Budget	Mid Budget	Splurge
Accommodation (2 nights)	$100 (motel/camping)	$300 (hotel/B&B)	$800+ (luxury/historic inn)
Transport (gas/tickets)	$50	$150	$400
Food & Drinks	$80	$200	$500
Activities	$30	$100	$300
Incidentals/Souvenirs	$20	$50	$150
Total	$280	$800	$2,150

Notice how the range stretches from just under $300 to well over $2,000. It comes down to what type of experience you want. Lorelei and I have done trips under $200 by eating from food trucks, staying at quirky motels, and hiking for free. Other times, we’ve splurged on boutique spas and regretted nothing (except maybe the bill). The trick is enforcing limits before everything turns to chaos. A strong rule? Never book an expensive activity at the last minute because **weekend getaway cost** balloons when you’re tired, hungry, and not thinking straight.

Determining Your Weekend Getaway Budget: Factors to Consider

Your perfect price tag will be way more personal than what surveys say. First, look at where you’re starting from. Living in a big city? You’ll either pay extra to escape or get lucky with quick, affordable bus trips to nearby towns. Rural folks often travel farther for entertainment but snag cheaper lodging. Two crucial factors pop up over and over: how far you travel, and how picky you are about beds and bathrooms. Choose a destination two hours or less from home, and your transportation costs plummet. Want to camp, bundle up in a cabin, or sleep on a friend’s couch? That money goes straight into your food and fun budget.

Let’s talk priorities. Are you chasing a view, obsessed with eating at trendy restaurants, or all about the included breakfast? Write down what matters for your happiness, and trim hard elsewhere. It’s easy to say lodging matters most, then realize you’re never in your room. Or maybe you love trying the weirdest dish on every menu, so food gets the lion’s share. For Lorelei and me, we skimp on hotels if it means more for live music tickets or quirky walking tours.

Here’s a checklist that helps put numbers to your dreams:

• What’s your absolute maximum total for the weekend? (Add 10% extra for emergencies.)
• Will you drive, fly, ride the train, or take a bus? Figure roundtrip costs up front, including parking, tolls, and car rentals if needed.
• Are you willing to do hostels, motels, Airbnb rooms, or do you want a full-service hotel?
• What’s your food plan? Will you dine out each meal, picnic, or hit up supermarkets?
• Must you do paid activities (shows, entrance fees) or are free things (hiking, people-watching) good enough?
• Do you need babysitters, pet sitters, or extra insurance at home?

Mix and match your priorities and you’ll see where the costs pile up. Here’s what I’ve learned: make one thing non-negotiable (like an epic dinner or a dreamy hotel shower), and allow everything else to be flexible or free. If you want to feel like you’ve splurged but not drain your savings, try what travel writers call the ‘one luxury rule’: pick just one treat, then stick to cheap or free choices for everything else.

Watch out for hidden expenses. Resort and parking fees screw up even the savviest plans. Check if Wi-Fi, breakfast, or parking actually come with your room. Even pro travelers get caught off guard—like when we paid $18 for bottled water we thought was free in the hotel fridge (thanks, Lorelei… still worth it, she says).

If you want something concrete, take this formula that works for most people in 2025:

• Transportation: 20-25% of your total
• Accommodation: 30-40%
• Food: 20-25%
• Entertainment (including shopping): 10-15%

Set your ceiling, apply those percentages, and you’ll have a baseline. For solo travelers, costs are a smidge higher per person, but groups can split things down to the last appetizer. Couples, especially, benefit from shared rooms and rides—although some of us would pay double for peace and quiet (looking at you, honeymooners).

Money-Saving Tricks and Smart Splurges for More Fun, Less Regret

Even the priciest weekends can be hacked down to size. Plan ahead and you’ll save without losing the fun. Start by locking in travel and lodging early. According to Expedia’s 2024 insights, booking hotels just two weeks in advance usually costs 15-20% more. Last-minute flights? Not worth it unless you’re a rewards veteran or travel hacking junkie. Drive or take a train instead—Amtrak rates beat regional airlines on most American routes, especially within 300 miles. Consider off-peak getaways. Shifting your weekend to a Thursday-Saturday or Friday-Sunday often avoids event surcharges, overcrowded restaurants, and highway traffic (and you’ll probably land a room upgrade, too).

The food trap is real—nobody wants to eat dry granola bars all weekend. But, you can slice food costs in half by doing one great meal out per day, not three. Hit up happy hours, explore farmer’s markets, or even pack one meal for a special picnic. Lorelei swears by finding little hole-in-the-wall cafes with local deals; skip major chains and your wallet will thank you. If your accommodation offers breakfast, attack the buffet like a pro and call it brunch. For drinks, hit up city bottle shops, find a scenic park, and toast like the locals do. That $80 bottle of wine at the restaurant? It’s often $18 at the store down the street.

Here are a few more ways savvy travelers make their dollars stretch:

• Bundle deals: Lots of tourism boards have passes for attractions, transit, and museums that can save you up to 40% on activities.
• Loyalty points: Always check your points stash—free nights or upgrades are hiding in dusty airline or hotel programs.
• Travel off-season: Destinations like national parks or beach towns drop prices by 30-60% after holidays and summer crowds leave.
• Use local transit: Skip Ubers; even in small towns, buses and shared bikes offer crazy savings and adventures.
• Walk everywhere: It’s free, healthy, and you’ll actually find the cool stuff speeding tourists miss.
• Don’t buy souvenirs on impulse: Wait until the last afternoon, and see if you still want them.

What about splurges? Sometimes a single luxury turns a good weekend into an unforgettable one. Book the suite if you’ve been saving, but treat it as the main event. Prefer to pamper your tastebuds? Go for the tasting menu once, and keep the rest of your meals simple. If you’re traveling with others, see if the group will chip in for one big moment, like a private guided hike or a boat tour. That way, you’ll share the memory and soften the sting to your credit card.

Finally, the best weekend getaways don’t feel measured by receipts. They’re about changing routines, finding new stories, and laughing at the small disasters. That’s why nobody looks back and remembers every dollar spent—they remember how they felt. So, spend what feels right for you, plan for one or two little surprises, and give yourself permission to unplug. Whether you’re splurging or saving, the real payoff is coming home and already plotting the next one.