12 U.S. islands to visit this summer—no flights required: ‘You don’t have to go too far to feel far away’

Summer is in full swing, and more and more people are heading on vacation or planning one. With the price of hopping on a flight fluctuating so much right now, you might want to consider a destination you can just drive to.

“You can make a road trip out of the vacation, take your time, and actually enjoy the journey. They’re often more affordable, less crowded, and full of quiet beauty,” Hilary Fischer-Groban, Senior Director of Global Brand, Insights and Comms at Tripadvisor, tells CNBC Make It.

“It’s a chance to slow down, unplug, and get the kind of reset a packed tourist destination just can’t give you.”

The United States is full of many different landscapes that range from vast deserts, beaches, towering mountains, stunning coastlines, and lush forests. Of the over 18,000 islands in the U.S., many fall under these categories, and the best part is that you don’t have to hop on a plane to get to a lot of them.

“Visiting these islands reminds you that you don’t have to go to far to feel far away! You learn how much there is to discover close to home, from coastal ecosystems to local traditions you’d never find in a guidebook,” Fischer-Groban adds.

“It’s a humbling reminder of the diversity of travel landscapes in the U.S. These adventures don’t require a passport, just curiosity, a full tank of gas, and a willingness to explore what’s already here.”