Key West tops spring break destination searches in 17 states across America

As spring break planning gets underway, a few destinations stand out nationwide.

An analysis by travel site Upgraded Points examined search activity over the past year to determine which domestic sites generate the most interest ahead of the busy holiday season.

The review looked at search trends from January 2025 to January 2026 and identified the top spring break destination in each state.

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The results indicate a strong preference for warm-weather beach towns, with several locations consistently topping searches across multiple states.

Recent search trends highlight which domestic destinations Americans are most interested in ahead of spring break. (iStock)

Key West, Florida, has become the nation’s most sought-after spring break destination, according to the analysis.

The island city tops searches in 17 states and Washington, D.C., including Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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Destin, Florida, followed closely behind, leading the search in 15 states.

The states in which Destin has generated the greatest research interest include Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah.

Key West, Florida was the most sought-after domestic spring break destination nationwide. (iStock)

Together, the two Florida destinations account for the majority of the top national results.

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Outside of Florida, South Padre Island, Texas, has also attracted considerable interest, becoming the most searched destination in five states, including Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Lake Havasu, Arizona, also generated strong search activity, ranking first in Arizona, California and Nevada.

Outside of Florida, South Padre Island tops searches in five states, while Lake Havasu tops searches in Arizona, California and Nevada. (iStock)

Panama City Beach, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, round out the list, each becoming a favorite in two states.

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The study also revealed which destinations residents preferred when multiple national options were included.

In Florida, Orlando generated more search interest than coastal destinations such as Key West, Destin and Panama City Beach, suggesting that theme parks and urban attractions remain an important draw alongside beach vacations.

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In Texas, Galveston beat out other beach destinations in the state.