UMich July final hit 55.2, a five-month high and up 11.5% from June. Improvements were broad-based across every income, education, and party group. One-year inflation expectations eased from 4.6% to 4.2%. Still 10.5% below July 2025.

National average dropped to $3.80 by July 5, then reversed hard: AAA reported a 15-cent one-week jump to $4.09 on July 23 as Middle East tensions flared again. Most states are now averaging $4 or higher heading into peak August travel.

TSA screened nearly 18.7 million travelers over the July 4 window (June 30 to July 6) with July 2 nearly hitting 3 million. AAA confirmed a record 72.2M Americans traveled 50+ miles for the holiday, beating last year's 71.8M.

Peak hurricane season (August through October) is officially here. NOAA still calls for a below-normal Atlantic season and ACE is running well under median, but seasonal risk climbs sharply this month. Southwest heat dome pounded Phoenix and Vegas.

Post-July 4 cooldown as the summer booking window closes. Labor Day weekend queries are picking up, and fall foliage searches for New England and the Blue Ridge Parkway are running above last year's pace. Northeast is the new hotspot.

Booking pace holds for late summer and early fall, with Northeast and Mountain markets pacing strongest. Homeowner reporting cycles run heavy this month; operators using automated statements are cutting an average of three hours per property.

June CPI cooled sharply to 3.5% YoY from 4.2% in May, the largest monthly drop since April 2020. Headline prices fell 0.4% MoM as gasoline dropped 9.7% and energy overall dropped 5.7%. Airfares are still 26.7% higher than a year ago, but the direction has turned.

The Crosswinds. Sentiment and CPI keep improving, and July 4 delivered a record. But gas whipsawed 15 cents higher in one week on renewed Iran tensions, and peak hurricane season begins now. The net is still positive, but summer's second half is more mixed than the first.

Peak August, peak hurricane season, and a gas whipsaw all landing at once. Hostfully brings bookings, channels, guest comms, and homeowner reporting into one place so you can react fast when the wind shifts.

The Crosswinds: The Getaway Score edged up 1.0 point to 64.5 in August. Sentiment and CPI keep improving, but gas whipsawed back over $4 on Iran tensions and peak hurricane season begins. Net positive, but summer's second half is bumpier than the first.

The gas whipsaw. Prices bottomed at $3.80 on July 5 and jumped 15 cents in one week to $4.09 by July 23 as Middle East tensions re-escalated. Most states now average $4 or higher heading into peak August. Drive markets face a choppier setup than a month ago.

Peak hurricane season starts now. August through October is when 90% of Atlantic activity happens. ACE is still well below normal and NOAA sees a below-normal season overall, but seasonal risk climbs sharply. Southeast and Gulf operators should watch pacing weekly.

CPI relief finally arrives. Headline June CPI dropped to 3.5% YoY from 4.2% in May, the biggest monthly drop since April 2020. Energy fell 5.7% MoM and gasoline dropped 9.7%. Airfares are still up 26.7% YoY, but the direction has turned for the first time all year.