HomeToGo Releases 2026 Labor Day Report, Revealing Top Trending and Most Popular Locations for the Holiday Weekend
Holiday Travel Demand Rises Alongside Surging Interest in Rural Stays, With 65% Staying Stateside
HomeToGo's 2026 Labor Day report finds U.S. searches up 23% year over year, with rural destinations capturing 90% of searches and domestic trips rising 13.5% vs. 2025.
BERLIN – HomeToGo - the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals and a leading European vacation rental group — today released its 2026 Labor Day Report. The data finds that American travelers are venturing into nature this year, with rural destinations accounting for 90% of searches ahead of the holiday weekend. Additionally, many are opting to stay close to home, with domestic getaways representing 65% of searches — an increase of +13.5% in comparison to the same period in 2025. Based on exclusive HomeToGo search data, the new report pinpoints the top-trending destinations seeing the largest year-over-year growth in demand, alongside the destinations and states drawing the most overall search volume ahead of the holiday weekend.
With overall searches for Labor Day trips up +23% compared to last year, American travelers are notably trading crowded big city destinations for outdoor escapes. Rather than seeking out major metros, more vacationers are drawn to picturesque towns and nature-filled retreats that offer quiet coastlines, mountain views, and experiences off the beaten path. In 2026, it’s less about the destination’s mainstream popularity and more about reconnecting with the outdoors before the summer season winds down.
Eleanor Moody, HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert
Labor Day Domestic Travel At a Glance
Average Length of Stay: 8 days
Average Distance Traveled to Destination: 727 miles
Median Nightly Accommodation Price Per Person Across the U.S.: $111.91
Based on exclusive HomeToGo data for the holiday weekend, here’s a look at the top trending domestic destinations for Labor Day trips in 2026:
More About the Top Trending Labor Day Destinations:
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi: With its colorful Old Town streets, Gulf Coast beaches and thriving arts scene, Bay Saint Louis is perfect for laid-back, Southern seaside charm in Mississippi.
Red River Gorge, Kentucky: Perfect for outdoor adventurers, Red River Gorge boasts towering sandstone cliffs, spectacular natural arches and forested hiking trails.
Orcas Island, Washington: In the Pacific Northwest, Orcas Island has evergreen forests, secluded shorelines and sweeping views across the Salish Sea.
While the top-trending destinations reflect the places seeing the fastest year-over-year search increases, some of the country's long-standing favorites continue to draw the highest overall search volume for Labor Day weekend. Popular coastal destinations like the Outer Banks and Gulf Shores, along with states such as Florida and North Carolina, are among the most-searched spots overall. The findings show that while travelers are increasingly seeking out smaller, lesser-known getaways, classic Labor Day favorites continue to hold strong appeal.
For the full HomeToGo 2026 Labor Day Travel Report, including an interactive map and report methodology, visit www.hometogo.com/news/labor-day-travel-report-2026.
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About HomeToGo
HomeToGo is the SaaS-enabled marketplace with the world's largest selection of vacation rentals, listing millions of offers from thousands of trusted partners, including Booking.com, Vrbo and TripAdvisor.
From vacation homes, cabins, beach houses, apartments, condos, house boats, castles, farm stays and everything in between, HomeToGo combines price, destination, dates and amenities to find the perfect accommodation for any trip worldwide.
Founded in 2014, HomeToGo operates localized apps & websites in more than 30 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific. HomeToGo also operates brands such as Agriturismo.it, AMIVAC, Casamundo, CaseVacanza.it, e-domizil, EscapadaRural, Kurzurlaub, Kurz Mal Weg, Tripping.com and Wimdu. To learn more, visit www.hometogo.com or download the HomeToGo app.