Top Fourth Of July Destinations: Expert Advice For Summer Holiday Travel

If you're traveling anywhere during the Fourth of July weekend, you've probably spent countless hours looking for the best deal. Procrastinators and travelers looking for last-minute deals are in luck, because July Fourth travel is cheaper this year than last. Priceline.com notes domestic airfare is an average $14 cheaper than last year, while international travel is actually more expensive. Luckily, hotel deals are plentiful this time of year, and travelers can find real value on top Fourth of July destinations.

Chicago leads Priceline's Top 25 Fourth of July destinations even though the average daily hotel rates (ADR) are up at $72 -- $223 in 2015 compared to $151 in 2014. Las Vegas is in second place and features cheaper hotels in 2015 ($100) than last year ($120). Washington ($153 vs. $135); Orlando, Florida ($109 vs. $100); and San Diego, California ($177 vs. $174) round out the top five.

"Good news for travelers is that the average domestic airfares for the 4th of July weekend are down slightly...and gasoline prices are also lower this year than last...so there are savings to be had whether traveling by plane or car," Priceline's travel editor Brian Ek said to International Business Times.

If you're looking for some value, travelers should head to Montreal. The city is ranked #1 on Priceline's "Best Bang for Your Buck Spots for July 4th, 2015" list. Montreal's ADR is $27 cheaper than last year ($122 vs. $149). Las Vegas is second on this list, followed by Paris ($197 vs. $234); Rome ($135 vs. $154); and Austin, Texas ($118 vs. $131).

If you want to get some serious savings, Ek suggests utilizing "opaque" pricing -- securing deals that don't reveal the exact itinerary until after you reserve the flight. Airfare and hotel packages are a good bet as are apps and email coupons. "You may find cheaper fares if you fly on July 4th, after the peak holiday air demand has been satisfied. Also, price out 2-, 3-, and 4-day itineraries around the holiday as fares could vary quite a bit," Ek said.

If Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington, Orlando, Florida, or New York seem too pricey, Ek suggest St. Louis, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as alternatives. St. Louis is a Midwest city that offers many of the same attractions as Chicago, but with fewer crowds. The same applies for Philadelphia, which can stand in for New York or Washington, notes Ek.

There are also a few rules of thumb to follow when booking a trip. "Generally, airfares are the lowest if you make your reservation at least 21 days in advance of departure day. Once you hit that 21-day window, fares typically start to escalate. And, the most expensive days to reserve airfare are usually within seven days of departure," Ek said. You could, however, save on hotels when booking last minute, as there are more rooms are available and businesses could offer discounts to fill empty rooms. "For the holiday weekend, in particular, many hotels will have rooms available the night of July Fourth, so waiting to book [at the] last minute may save you more money," Ek said.