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For US flyers, Spring Break is often one of the most hotly anticipated travel seasons of the year, providing an ideal time to jet off between the peak summer and winter periods. As a large and diverse nation, the country has plenty to offer as far as domestic destinations are concerned, and, as we approach this year’s Spring Break, some locations are more on trend than others. This is detailed in data released recently by Google Flights.
Specifically, the site has dug into its data to examine not which destinations are most popular in terms of raw numbers, but, rather, which are most on trend in terms of “the biggest [year-on-year] percentage increase in Google Flights searches for domestic trips [from] March 1 to April 30.” This analysis offers an interesting insight into the destinations that are most ‘en vogue’ among US flyers as we head towards Spring Break in 2026.
Hilo Is The Most On-Trend Domestic Spring Break Destination For US Flyers
For many Spring Break flyers, sun, sea, and a sense of exotic adventure are high priorities when it comes to their travel plans in March and April. As such, it is unsurprising to see a Hawaiian destination ranked as the most on-trend for this year, with the location in question being Hilo. Passengers looking to travel there should bear in mind that Hilo International Airport (ITO) is currently only served from nearby Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG).
As such, flying there from the US mainland will require a connection, but, of course, no destination should be ruled out on that basis alone. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines fly there from Honolulu, while the latter also serves Hilo from Kahului, but the former will begin flying there from Las Vegas this summer. Commenting on the appeal of Hilo as a Spring Break destination, Google Flights says:
“Hilo on Hawaii’s Big Island is leading the pack, as travelers flock to celebrate the Merrie Monarch Festival and witness spectacular lava flows from the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea.”
Rounding Out The Top Five
The rest of Google Flights’ 10 most on-trend Spring Break destinations in 2026 are all located on the mainland, with North Carolina’s Asheville ranking second. According to the site, the “renowned ‘Beer City’ craft brewery scene and the unique galleries of the River Arts District” are among the city’s selling points. It is served by Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), with Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United among the airlines present.
Elsewhere on the US mainland, Florida features heavily in the top five, with Sarasota ranking third and Panama City ranking fifth. The former is served by Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) with Air Canada present alongside a wide variety of US legacy, hybrid, and low-cost carriers. Meanwhile, Panama City sees service from American, Delta, Southwest, and United at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP).
Sandwiched between these two Florida Spring Break hostpots is Long Beach, California. The eponymous Long Beach Airport (LGB) is primarily served by Southwest, but does also see more limited service from Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection (to Salt Lake City) and Hawaiian (to Honolulu and Kahului.
The Top 10 Tips For Smooth Spring Break Travel
You can make your travel during Spring Break relaxed with the following tips.
The Best Of The Rest
Florida remains a key feature of the rest of the top 10, with Punta Gorda (PGD) ranking sixth, followed by Fort Myers (RSW) in eighth and Tampa (TPA) in ninth. The former is served almost exclusively by Allegiant Air, while the latter pair offer more variety in terms of the airlines present and the routes served. Google Flights highlights the fact that the west coast of Florida is on-trend in 2026 thanks to its “sought-after beachside destinations.”
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Google Flights’ Trending Spring Break Destinations By State |
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|---|---|
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State |
Number In Top 10 |
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Florida |
Five |
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California |
Two |
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Colorado |
One |
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Hawaii |
One |
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North Carolina |
One |
As detailed in the table above, there is also a second Californian destination in the top 10, namely Santa Ana. Served by John Wayne Airport in Orange County, a healthy number of US and Canadian carriers fly there, as well as semi-private operator JSX. Finally, Colorado’s Vail ranks tenth. Served by nearby Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), the city is “perfect for spring breakers looking to squeeze in some late-season ski runs.”
