Travel
3 major Texas cities rank as the worst for summer travel in U.S.
Everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State, including travel frustration: three of Texas’ largest cities have been named as some of the worst places for summer travel in the U.S.
The state tied with Florida for the most cities in the top 20 of Forbes Advisor’s worst places for summer travel list. If it’s any consolation, the Texas towns scored better than any of the Sunshine State’s destinations.
Forbes Advisor used data from the 43 largest cities in the U.S. across three categories: city experience, air travel and driving conditions. It used metrics like walkability, in-season hotel prices, rate of flight delays and number of fatal car crashes in the summer.
Each Texas metro area had its own unique reasons for ranking poorly, starting with Dallas. The North Texas hub placed 13th-worst, standing out for lost or damaged items while flying and severe heat.
Dallas’ two major airports — one of which ranked as the worst in the U.S. in a different report — have some of the highest property loss and damage claims filed in the summer. The city also has an average of 76 extreme temperature days in June, July and August.
El Paso followed in 15th place. It has the fewest parking lots and garages, as well as the second-least tourist attractions with four or more stars on Tripadvisor. Additionally, over a quarter of El Paso International Airport’s summer flights are disrupted, according to Forbes Advisor.
San Antonio rounded out the list as the 20th worst city for summer travel. It has an average of 79 severe heat days each sunny season, as well as a low walkability score.
Don’t cancel your vacation plans yet, though. There is a silver lining for the Lone Star State: Houston ranked as the 10th best city for summer travel.
H-Town enjoys the lowest median hotel prices at $122 per night. The city’s two major airports also reimburse property loss and damage claims more than half the time — 52% — which is the second-highest rate in the analysis.
If you’re looking for something to do in Texas over the summer, check out LoneStarLive.com’s guide to 48 can’t-miss festivals and events across the state.