Gulf Shores and Orange Beach make list of most affordable spring break spots

By Melanie LeCroy
Lifestyle Editor
melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 3/4/22

The Alabama Gulf Coast made the 22 Most Affordable Spring Break Escapes list released by Home ToGo. Orange Beach ranked 12th and Gulf Shores ranked 14th on the list which compared the average cost of …

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Gulf Shores and Orange Beach make list of most affordable spring break spots

Posted

The Alabama Gulf Coast made the 22 Most Affordable Spring Break Escapes list released by Home ToGo. Orange Beach ranked 12th and Gulf Shores ranked 14th on the list which compared the average cost of parking, sunscreen, soda and accommodations.

Home ToGo, a vacation rental marketplace, revealed the results of its 2022 Beach Price Index, ranking the top 22 beach destinations in the U.S. based on traveler search interest and affordability. The ranking includes this year's most popular beach destinations across the country, uncovering what spring break travelers can expect in terms of parking, beach necessities and accommodation prices. This year's top destinations span the U.S. coastline from Florida to Oregon, highlighting the top affordable destinations based on a less than $150 per person nightly budget.

The Gulf Coast secured four spots on the list with Panama City Beach, Florida securing 10th place averaging $100.88 a night and Pensacola Beach, Florida ranked 11th at $111.05 a night. Orange Beach ranked twelfth with $111.88 a night and Gulf Shores made the list at 14th with an average of $111.98 a night.

Spring break season on the Gulf Coast tends to be warmer than several of the top locations on the list making this area a popular destination. According to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism vacation rentals for March are showing 70-80% occupancy rates.

"After a long and unseasonably cold winter, many travelers are looking to escape to sunny beach destination to make warm memories this spring," said Caroline Burns, head of public relations and travel expert at Home ToGo. "We are excited to bring this helpful guide for families looking to plan an affordable spring break getaway. Beachfront homes with full kitchens and plenty of outdoor space reign as the accommodation of choice for travelers who are looking to dive into a new destination without having to travel far."

Based on the cost of parking, sunscreen, a bottle of soda, and accommodations found near the beach on HomeToGo for the 2022 spring break season, here's a snapshot of the top-ranking beaches from this year's report:

1. Ocean City Beach, Md.
2. Hatteras Beach – Outer Banks, N.C.
3. Surfside Beach, S.C.
4. Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

5. East Beach-Galveston Island, Texas
6. South Padre Island Beach, Texas
7. Easton's Beach-Newport, R.I.
8. Nye Beach-Newport, R.I.
9. Virginia Beach, Va.
10. Panama City Beach, Fla.
11. Pensacola Beach, Fla.
12. Orange Beach, Ala.
13. Bethany Beach, Del.
14. Gulf Shores Public Beach, Ala.
15. Coligny Beach Park-Hilton Head Island, S.C.
16. Port Aransas Beach, Texas
17. Ocean City Beach, N.J.
18. Santa Cruz Main Beach, Calif.
19. Manhattan Beach, Calif.
20. Fort Myers Beach, Fla.
21. Carolina Beach, N.C.
22. Moonlight Beach-Encinitas, Va.

For the complete list of Home ToGo Beach Price Index, visit www.hometogo.com.