The San Juans are a perennial favorite. Photo: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Nearly 5 million Washingtonians are expected to travel this summer, with many opting for day trips and regional getaways due to sky-high travel costs.
The big picture: Seattle's unofficial start to summer begins Sunday, and AAA Washington tells Axios it's expecting another busy season despite higher prices for airfare, hotels and other vacation expenses.
Zoom in: While Seattle remains the state's largest tourism destination, Leavenworth, Lake Chelan and the San Juan Islands continue to rank among the Evergreen State's most popular summer escapes, said Kyle Hays of AAA Washington.
Travelers venturing a little farther are gravitating toward destinations that are still relatively easy to reach, including Oregon, Idaho, Las Vegas, San Diego and Alaska cruises, Hays told Axios.
By the numbers: Nationally, nearly three-quarters of Americans say they plan to take a summer vacation this year, up from 66% from last year, per a new survey from transportation company Enterprise Mobility.
But most travelers (69%) say they're opting for weekend getaways and 89% say they plan to stay domestic for their next trip.
The bottom line: Travelers aren't giving up on summer — they're getting more strategic.
