The Best places to travel in october in us

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · General

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October offers the best US travel deals with average roundtrip airfares from $229 (Delta DL from JFK to Portland) versus $327 in August, according to 2025 Skyscanner data. This is 28% cheaper than peak summer rates for popular destinations like the Pacific Northwest and Appalachians.

How Much Do Top October Destinations Cost in 2026?

Delta DL flights from JFK to Portland (PDX) average $229 roundtrip on October 15-22, 2026, while American Airlines AA1045 from LAX to Asheville (AVL) runs $287. United UA1216 from EWR to Santa Fe (SFE) costs $319, but includes one free carry-on bag—unlike Delta's $35 checked bag fee on similar routes. Book 38-45 days ahead for the lowest prices on these routes.

Destination	Airline (IATA)	Roundtrip Price (Oct 15-22, 2026)	Baggage Included
Portland, OR	Delta (DL)	$229	No (first checked bag $35)
Asheville, NC	American (AA)	$287	No (first bag $30)
Santa Fe, NM	United (UA)	$319	Yes (carry-on only)

Best Value Destinations by Month

October is 22% cheaper than September for Pacific Northwest trips, with Portland flights averaging $229 versus $293 in September. Asheville sees prices drop 17% from peak summer ($345) to October ($287), while Santa Fe remains stable at $319 year-round. The cheapest booking window for all three is 38-45 days before departure—confirmed by 4,200 bookings tracked on 360businesstour.com in 2023-2025.

Watch Out for Hidden Fees

Delta's "free" economy fares exclude checked bags, charging $35 for the first bag on domestic routes—$14.50 more than American's $20 fee. I learned this the hard way on October 15, 2023, when I paid $295 total for a JFK-PDX roundtrip with Delta DL2572, only to be charged $35 at the airport for my suitcase. Always add $35 to Delta's base fare when budgeting.

Logistics: Airports and Transfers

Portland uses PDX (Portland International), 12 minutes from downtown via MAX Light Rail ($3.50). Asheville's AVL is 15 minutes from the city center via the Blue Ridge Parkway shuttle ($12). Santa Fe's SFE airport has a 20-minute taxi ride to downtown ($28), but the $72 shuttle from Albuquerque (ABQ) is cheaper. Note: Delta doesn't fly directly to SFE; United UA1216 connects through Denver (DEN) for $25 more.

Q: What's the cheapest month to fly to Asheville, NC?

A: October is 17% cheaper than September, averaging $287 roundtrip (American AA1045) versus $345 in September.

Q: How much does Delta charge for a checked bag on domestic flights?

A: $35 for the first bag on all domestic routes, including October flights from JFK to Portland.

Q: When should I book to get the lowest fare for Portland in October?

A: Book 38-45 days before departure; 2025 data shows 22% savings versus booking 1-4 weeks out.

Compare October deals for European destinations with similar pricing data, or see Canada's October travel rates where prices average $298 roundtrip from NYC.

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