by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:33 PM ET, Tue May 22, 2018
Not that any of us really need another excuse to plan a long weekend this summer, but just in case you do, here it is, courtesy of Hipmunk.
Research has shown that more frequent, shorter vacations are better for your mental health than extended vacations.
In other words, time to start plotting one (or several) summer weekends getaways.
But how is one to know which weekend to choose for that mental break? While also identifying a date that won't bust your budget?
Ever concerned about the mental health of the masses, Hipmunk has helpfully delved into its data to compare prices on vacation rentals and hotels in order to reveal where and when travelers can get the best long weekend deals this summer.
One of the study's top takeaways should come as no surprise - avoid the holidays.
Holiday weekends offer up some of the highest prices, with Memorial Day hotels averaging $194 per night, which is 37 percent higher than the average summer weekend price of $142 per night.
Vacation rentals meanwhile average $148 per night over the Memorial Day weekend, 16 percent higher than the average summer weekend price of $128 per night.
Labor Day is not much better, with hotels coming in at $171 per night, which is 20 percent higher than the average nightly rate. Vacation rentals over Labor Day are about $150, 17 percent over average.
Looking for a summer steal?
There are bargain weekends during all three summer months across the United States for various types of trips, according to Hipmunk.
Pensacola, Florida tops the list, where vacation rentals ($163 per night) are 49 percent cheaper than average prices for the weekend of July 27 through July 30.
And rather than plan an escape around July 4, head out of town the weekend before. Prices in Ocean City, Maryland are 44 percent lower than average one weekend before the national holiday.
Those who have their heart set on a casino getaway should check out Atlantic City the weekend of June 1 through June 4, when hotels will be about $107 per night, which is well below the average summer price of $204.
Las Vegas also offers a bargain weekend escape June 22 through June 25, when vacation rental prices will be 38 percent under averages or around $56 per night.
Additional notable bargains include Bowling Green, Kentucky for the weekend of June 29 to July 2 when the average hotel price will be $75 per night, 23 percent below average. That same weekend, San Diego offers its own bargain rates on vacation rentals, which are averaging about $110 per night.
The full report offers up countless more examples of bargain weekends around the country. Here's to your mental health!
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