anyone make a price comparison driving to WDW vs. flying?

[mtquinn]

I wonder if any of you super-smart Dis-ers have done a cost comparison for driving long distance (over 16 hours, at least) versus flying?

For instance, we are considering driving from Philly to WDW. I know four plane tickets will run about $1100 for the flights we want. How much more economical would it be to drive factoring in gas (in a van), tolls, food, hotel stop both ways, etc?

I am sure there will also be about $100 for food, toys/games/dvd's/books for our two DD's for the long ride.

Are we going to save with this? Or will this come close to flights?

 

[Bibbidi]

We have a 14 hour drive from Ohio. It usually costs us around $600 total roundtrip for gas, food, hotel. Flights for the four of us would run around $1200. Often times we will drive the entire way home in one day, knocking about $100-150 off the total for the trip.

It's not so bad really. We have a pleasant drive down I-75 and tend to stop in Valdosta (about 12 hours from home) on the way down. The only really big city we run into is Atlanta, and thankfully haven't had any trouble with traffic there.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[amylevan]

1000 miles from Philly-Orlando: at 15 mpg, that is 67 gallons @ 3.50/gal = $235
Food: depends on where/when you eat, we do lunch & dinner the first day, breakfast & lunch the second, say $125
Hotel: say $60

That is about $420 each way or about $850

If you add in $100 worth of entertainment for the kiddos, you're looking at $950. In my mind, my time is worth the extra $150, and I would fly.

 

[Marionnette]

1000 miles from Philly-Orlando: at 15 mpg, that is 67 gallons @ 3.50/gal = $235
Food: depends on where/when you eat, we do lunch & dinner the first day, breakfast & lunch the second, say $125
Hotel: say $60

That is about $420 each way or about $850

If you add in $100 worth of entertainment for the kiddos, you're looking at $950. In my mind, my time is worth the extra $150, and I would fly.

I also factor in those "lost" vacation days that are spent driving. If you look at how much you earn in a day, those two "lost" days can be pretty expensive! We're self-employed so if we're not working, we're not making money. Enough so that it is actually more costly for us to drive than fly!

Even if you get paid time off, those precious vacation days are too valuable to waste in the co-pilot seat of a minivan. JMHO

 

[Dacky619]

http://fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com/

this will give you an estimate on the fuel cost for your vehicle. Then you can budget out food/games/hotels and see how it would work out for you.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I wonder if any of you super-smart Dis-ers have done a cost comparison for driving long distance (over 16 hours, at least) versus flying?

For instance, we are considering driving from Philly to WDW. I know four plane tickets will run about $1100 for the flights we want. How much more economical would it be to drive factoring in gas (in a van), tolls, food, hotel stop both ways, etc?

I am sure there will also be about $100 for food, toys/games/dvd's/books for our two DD's for the long ride.

Are we going to save with this? Or will this come close to flights?

I've been trying to figure out the same thing. I planned on driving and renting a minivan, which I thought would equal aobout $750 but then I used the AAA gas/driving calculator which said the gas would be more like $350+, an in that case flying is much cheaper. The other major variable is the price of gas and the price of plane tickets skyrocketing. I'm honestly starting to loathe flyihg, so if I find a super deal on a van, we're driving.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Drive straight thru during the night and avoid 2 nights in a hotel and the extra time getting there isn't nearly as much as you think...

Takes us 17 hours to drive straight thru, last time we flew it took us 9 hours from our door to hotel..

 

[minnie10]

I have been punching these figures and debating this for a week. After much thought, stress, and agony I have decided we are flying. We are staying 4 nights at Bonnet Creek. Those 4 nights are costing us a total of $150 for a 3 bedroom. We are splitting with another family that we often travel with. So for $37/night we get a stay at an awesome resort. We will be able to save on food by eating quick meals in the condo for breakfast and lunch. After our stay at B.C. we will move to Pop (to satisfy our teenage children) for 3 nights which will cost us around $450. If we flew, we would need a rental car. The cheapest minivan was $500/week with some discounts. Our flight cost would be $600..(That would not include any checked luggage and no assigned seats.) When I counted in parking cost for a week at the airport, van cost, and flight cost and the fact that we would need to pack so light I decided that we would just drive. Even if gas hits $5.00 /gallon by mid April and we only get 15 miles per gallon in our Yukon-it just made sense to me to just drive the 10 hours. If I were going straight to a Disney Resort and only doing Disney attractions for the week, I think I would consider flying, but we have been many times and only like to do the main parks for about 3 days and then just sort of relax the other days and maybe hit Disney Quest and a water park or possibly Universal.

 

[rubato]

I always do a price comparison. We have flown the last 2 times because it was right at the same price. We fly SW and usually can get to orlando for about $600 for the 3 of us. Driving from KC and staying in a hotel 1 night each way just isn't worth it.

 

[mafibisha]

Drive straight thru during the night and avoid 2 nights in a hotel and the extra time getting there isn't nearly as much as you think...

Takes us 17 hours to drive straight thru, last time we flew it took us 9 hours from our door to hotel..

We've done the flying and driving thing from a few different homes / cities and we've always decided driving is better.

If only 2 of us are going (dh and I or a mom-daughter or dad-son trip) we fly. The cost for just two flights isn't too bad.

But if 3 or more of us go, (which is most likely lately) it makes much better sense to drive since we're all *flying* together for one *fare* (in the van vs. not paying for 3+ flights) and we all stay in the same room (even if an Embassy Suites for all of us - usually $100 max)

When you consider the time to and from the airport and the endless hassles of flying these days we'll most likely drive again before we fly.

ETA: And we REALLY like having a car when there, even though we stay on site and have used Magical Express. Sometimes we like to venture off property and love knowing we can go anytime we want.

When you add a rental car to the flights -- its WAYYY cheaper to drive than fly!

 

[jaminmd]

Drive straight thru during the night and avoid 2 nights in a hotel and the extra time getting there isn't nearly as much as you think...

Takes us 17 hours to drive straight thru, last time we flew it took us 9 hours from our door to hotel..

It takes us 7 hours from house to hotel. Next time we go, we are driving & we're also taking the dog. As much as I hate being in the car that long, I'm looking forward to the stops along the way, at our own pace.

 

[J3nn78]

We choose to drive. Flying would cost us about $1100 as well. We drive from NJ. We take 2 nights down and 1 night back. Our total cost to drive is about $900. Someone mentioned that time is worth the extra money to fly, and having lost vacation days. We don't see driving days as lost vacation days. We find lots of interesting places to visit for cheap or free along the way. Those travel days are part of the vacation and lots of fun!

 

[ready123go]

Is flying out of Atlantic City a possibility? Spirit Airlines has some non-stops and some good prices right now. We flew into Atlantic City from Detroit last year. Nice airport, very small and easy to get in and out of.

 

[mafibisha]

We choose to drive. Flying would cost us about $1100 as well. We drive from NJ. We take 2 nights down and 1 night back. Our total cost to drive is about $900. Someone mentioned that time is worth the extra money to fly, and having lost vacation days. We don't see driving days as lost vacation days. We find lots of interesting places to visit for cheap or free along the way. Those travel days are part of the vacation and lots of fun!

ITA. One year our youngest son couldn't stop raving about the hotel pool on the way to WDW.
That, after spending a week in the Port Orleans pool!
Might have been because the WDW pool was so packed compared to the hotel pool on the way there, and that it had two diving boards. Can you say *Cannonball* ? !

 

[Minniemouse07]

We always have flown from Philly and I've been heard to say "I don't want to spend 3-4 days of my vacation driving" in the past!

In August we are doing 5 nights on the Dream and 5 nights at WDW.

We have booked the AutoTrain for this trip. It will be the first time for us.

The entire round trip (2 adults, 2 kids - 5 & 10yo) for an oversized vehicle w/ AAA discount riding in coach was $890. We definitely paid more than that in airfare last June...and I just priced flights on Southwest for our dates....it was $1085!

So that saves us $$ from the start, and doesn't include a rental car in the equation which we need this trip since it is land/sea.

I also budgeted out driving including 1 night in a hotel each way (I don't drive well at night), food, & gas... the train works out to be around $70 more than driving. The budget is based on gas prices last week (I used AAA's fuel cost calculator ) and I suspect that gas prices will go up even more between now and August which would make the difference even less.

Even if gas prices stay about the same, I think $70 is worth arriving in FL rested and relaxed...at least more rested and relaxed than if we drove 18hrs in two days!

Obviously each family has to crunch their own numbers...but for us driving is cheaper than flying and renting a car and the train is within the ball park as compared to driving.

 

[Bkk40in2011]

We have been thinking about your very question. Driving from Austin area to Orlando. Mileage about 1100 lets say one way. Our gas now is projected at $300. We are doing an extended vacation and are going to leave at 6pm after dinner. Will drive through the night no overnight stops. (I work nights so this isn't a big deal) I am a good night driver and so is hubby. Will make the backseat extra snuggly and put kids in sweats to make more comfortable. Kids will have a few new movies I have picked up at Goodwill, Half Priced books, borrowed etc. Ipods with Disney podcasts loaded for listening and going to the library for books on tape. So I consider those costs no biggie and not worth counting. Will also pack some yummy goodies for snacking - oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, etc. An early, early morning breakfast for a rest stop and then late breakfast somewhere like Denny's. Will pack a lunch since we are going to need to go to grocery store before resort. We can eat for family of 4 for $25 at Denny's.

Then on the way back. Leaving in the morning. Eat at hotel room (we are staying offsite). Stop for lunch at restaurant ($30) then another stop for dinner ($40 on the high side). Again good snacks for the road, printable games for car, coloring books, other books on tapes, etc.

TOTAL costs:

Gas $300 if goes up to $5 by Nov then $550 (but airline prices will go up too)
Food on the road $100
Snacks from home so in grocery budget
Books, movies, etc. Can be free if you go to library, borrow etc.)

For us the $650 instead of $1100 for plane tickets gets us into Cirque and Hoop De Doo. That's worth it to me!

We are staying for 12 days and so we are cooking at the resort and will be driving to some places at Disney. It is worth it to us, but can understand why some people say no go.

We are also packing a lunch into Disney on some days just to save a little money so we can stay longer. The price of a table service restaurant at Disney is one night at our hotel so that is a big savings.

Hope this helps.

 

[tlh0726]

I posted the below on another thread that was asking whether to fly or drive.

South central PA here.
We are now driving for our April trip 953.54 miles each way, since DH's job has him home instead of flying in from Vegas for our vacation.

Plan is to leave after dinner and tag team driving through the night. same for return trip. If we get to the point that one of us is beat, then we will just stop somewhere and finish the drive the next day.

I had already purchased roundtrip flights for 4 on southwest in case DH was away and we needed to meet up at Disney (he can use up the credits for work travel and be reimbursed)
also had a compact rental car from Dollar reserved for the week
total just for flights and car $1126.82

by driving
Ticket cost = $0 due to upgrade to APs using disney reward points last April
Room cost = $100 @ pop century the rest covered by disney rewards points
Food = $450 estimating high we do CS only, share meals, pack snacks and eat offsite
Gas = $250 roundtrip
Kennel for dog = $225 love this place, swimming, playtime, and bath!!
Souvenirs = $100 high estimate our kids are low maintenance
Cat Sitter = $60 neighbor lady who comes every other day
Total estimate for trip $1185

 

[mafibisha]

We have been thinking about your very question. Driving from Austin area to Orlando. Mileage about 1100 lets say one way. Our gas now is projected at $300. We are doing an extended vacation and are going to leave at 6pm after dinner. Will drive through the night no overnight stops. (I work nights so this isn't a big deal) I am a good night driver and so is hubby. Will make the backseat extra snuggly and put kids in sweats to make more comfortable. Kids will have a few new movies I have picked up at Goodwill, Half Priced books, borrowed etc. Ipods with Disney podcasts loaded for listening and going to the library for books on tape. So I consider those costs no biggie and not worth counting. Will also pack some yummy goodies for snacking - oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, etc. An early, early morning breakfast for a rest stop and then late breakfast somewhere like Denny's. Will pack a lunch since we are going to need to go to grocery store before resort. We can eat for family of 4 for $25 at Denny's.

Then on the way back. Leaving in the morning. Eat at hotel room (we are staying offsite). Stop for lunch at restaurant ($30) then another stop for dinner ($40 on the high side). Again good snacks for the road, printable games for car, coloring books, other books on tapes, etc.

TOTAL costs:

Gas $300 if goes up to $5 by Nov then $550 (but airline prices will go up too)
Food on the road $100
Snacks from home so in grocery budget
Books, movies, etc. Can be free if you go to library, borrow etc.)

For us the $650 instead of $1100 for plane tickets gets us into Cirque and Hoop De Doo. That's worth it to me!

We are staying for 12 days and so we are cooking at the resort and will be driving to some places at Disney. It is worth it to us, but can understand why some people say no go.

We are also packing a lunch into Disney on some days just to save a little money so we can stay longer. The price of a table service restaurant at Disney is one night at our hotel so that is a big savings. Hope this helps.

I love that and ITA.
Its an aside to this thread but it's really worth repeating.

Other than the character meals, IMO we can (and do) enjoy great meals at restaurants around home.
When in WDW or traveling most anywhere, we'd rather have another night (or two or three!) on vacation that spend it on meals we can also find near home.
JMO

 

[arihillfarm]

We always have flown from Philly and I've been heard to say "I don't want to spend 3-4 days of my vacation driving" in the past!

In August we are doing 5 nights on the Dream and 5 nights at WDW.

We have booked the AutoTrain for this trip. It will be the first time for us.

The entire round trip (2 adults, 2 kids - 5 & 10yo) for an oversized vehicle w/ AAA discount riding in coach was $890. We definitely paid more than that in airfare last June...and I just priced flights on Southwest for our dates....it was $1085!

So that saves us $$ from the start, and doesn't include a rental car in the equation which we need this trip since it is land/sea.

I also budgeted out driving including 1 night in a hotel each way (I don't drive well at night), food, & gas... the train works out to be around $70 more than driving. The budget is based on gas prices last week (I used AAA's fuel cost calculator ) and I suspect that gas prices will go up even more between now and August which would make the difference even less.

Even if gas prices stay about the same, I think $70 is worth arriving in FL rested and relaxed...at least more rested and relaxed than if we drove 18hrs in two days!

Obviously each family has to crunch their own numbers...but for us driving is cheaper than flying and renting a car and the train is within the ball park as compared to driving.

Also, don't forget the mileage that you WON'T be putting on your car while it is riding the train to FL and back with you. That's worth quite a bit too in avoiding accelerated maintenance costs and depreciation due to the extra miles.

-Astrid

 

[2disneyboys]

We are going down next month (YEA!!!) and taking our trusty minivan.. so the approx cost for the 6 (taking 2 nieces w/ us as well as DH, myself & our two boys) of us is $350-$400 for the roundtrip gas. DH works and drives 10-12 shifts, so no problem for him to do the bulk of the driving overnight. We do budget for a hotel stay coming & going, but we RARELY have had to use it.

We prefer driving to the hassle of flying.. don't get me wrong, when I go on business trips alone, I totally LOVE flying... but when you have to be cautious on what you pack (weight & bag limits), hassle through security lines with kids, and then a good majority of the time, have delays etc @ the airports, its just not worth it to me (I respect that others feel the same about driving, but its not something we enjoy "as a family" we much prefer our family "road trips" to the family "flights". We prefer driving so much, this past summer, we CHOSE to drive from East Coast Va to northern MN rather than flying...our trip was part of the vacation, not just a means of getting to the vacation. (not to even mention, we can pack what we want!)

It's what works for us!