May 30, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET Family vacation costs can add up quickly even in the best of times, especially if you have a large family or dine out often. But affordable family vacations in 2026 are even harder to come by with gas prices surging ahead of the summer travel season and the cost of, well, just about everything still going up. The news isn't all doom and gloom, though. There are some places in the US where you can still enjoy a kid-friendly vacation without overspending.