drive or fly calculator

[hearts8701]

BeFrugal.com’s new web-based Fly or Drive Calculator compares time and cost of flying versus driving, and provides consumers personalized calculations for any trip
http://www.befrugal.com/tools/fly-or-drive-calculator/

 

[Ihave3daughters]

Thanks for sharing that one! I will definitely be using that!

 

[PrincessHeather'sMom]

Thanks for sharing that one. It was very interesting. I've always wondered if there'd be an advantage to driving instead of flying. I would only save $76 by driving! But I'd save 1 day, 2 hours and some minutes by flying. We would/will definitely fly.

 

[mrssmith06]

Wow, thanks! Saves us over $1,300 to drive

 

[hearts8701]

i thought it was a pretty good calculation for my drive glad it is useful for those who are trying to decide which way to go

 

[Brian Noble]

Loved this disclaimer---reminds me of certain betting sites:

For entertainment purposes only.

 

[Shir Kahn]

That site is absolutely amazing, thanks for sharing!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I get the point of the site, but it fails to take in so many items, like:

• Risk Differential Cost for Driving over Flying
• Loss of Time (Loss of Vacation Days or Increased Number of Days Needed for Similar Trip)
• Actual fuel economy of vehicles (very overstated from my review)

I'm sure I could come up with more, but it definately is not the entire picture, a good start, sure, but still, not comprehensive. That said, I was excited to see it provides CO2 calcs, which is great.

 

[ssawka]

I would only save $34 by driving. So let's see, be stuck in our cramped car for 16 hours or fly and be at MCO 4 hours after I leave my house. That's a tough one!

 

[Lewisc]

I thought the calculator is pretty good. Looks like fuel economy is based on EPA highway. Optimistic, particularly for people who drive fast but using the EPA numbers is the only valid starting point. Maybe have an option to lower the number.

The calculator shows the cost to drive and the cost to fly. It shows your door to door transportation time. I thought the entire purpose was so the person using the calculator could evaluate the loss of time. Attempt to put a number on it.

It should have an explicit option to rent a car. Some people/some destination will need a car. People who don't drive will need to rent.

Maybe it should have the option to add a cost per mile.

I get the point of the site, but it fails to take in so many items, like:

• Risk Differential Cost for Driving over Flying
• Loss of Time (Loss of Vacation Days or Increased Number of Days Needed for Similar Trip)
• Actual fuel economy of vehicles (very overstated from my review)

I'm sure I could come up with more, but it definately is not the entire picture, a good start, sure, but still, not comprehensive. That said, I was excited to see it provides CO2 calcs, which is great.

 

[nono]

Actual fuel economy of vehicles (very overstated from my review)

I put both of my vehicles in, and it came up with the exact average we get on a road trip for each. Mine are newer models, though, and post the changeover in MPG calculation.

 

[Brian Noble]

Loss of Time (Loss of Vacation Days or Increased Number of Days Needed for Similar Trip)

I thought it spelled this out pretty clearly---it computed it correctly for me, two full days driving vs. one half-day flying for travel.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I thought it spelled this out pretty clearly---it computed it correctly for me, two full days driving vs. one half-day flying for travel.

If you're going to offer a calculator, it should do the calculation. To do this, ask for salary/hourly rate and calculate the loss of time in dollars so it correllates to the balance of the numbers provided (when you provide results you typically find the common factor to put the summary in)

 

[maxiesmom]

I came up as saving $300 with 4 people going by driving. However, I could save $200 of that by not having to pay for baggage, according to their calculator.

Lets see---4 days in the car to save $100. A good chunk of that lost park time. Not going to happen.

Maybe I am missing it, but one thing I did not see what food costs for the drive. We usually have a few snacks along in the car, but we would need money for meals somewhere along the way. I guess we would spend at least $100 each way on food and snacks and whatnot.

 

[Lewisc]

I found the biggest flaw:

Driving cost is calculated using the 2010 AAA Average Operating Costs Per Mile estimates. The AAA estimates factor in the following costs: fuel, maintenance, and tires.

The cost of gas is understated. Gas buddy calculates your fuel costs by having you fill up at lower cost stations on your trip. You need to change the defaults. Drivers shouldn't plan on fill up with under 1/2 gallon.

jlewisinsyr--Many of us don't agree with your point. The calculator attempts to tell you the cost and time to drive vs the cost and time to fly. The driver then decides if the savings is worth it. A retired person, or student, still values their time. Not sure how you'd put a dollar value on it. Do we put a value on your time for the 8 hours you'll be sleeping? Do we include overtime? 401k contribution? You have 2 high school kids in your car. What value do you put on their time? JMO but better to just list the dollar savings vs the extra hours.

 

[Brer Shay]

Interesting tool. Need to tweak it a little for your personal scenario, but good planning info. After my tweaks, we save over $1000 by driving and have a MUCH smaller carbon footprint - not that I'd thought about that before.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you're going to offer a calculator, it should do the calculation. To do this, ask for salary/hourly rate and calculate the loss of time in dollars so it correllates to the balance of the numbers provided (when you provide results you typically find the common factor to put the summary in)

I understand what you are saying here, but it's not that simple. Different people are in different places on the vacation time/vacation dollars curve. Many people don't have the ability to just work more hours for additional pay. For some folks, the value of the lost time denominated in employment compensation is immaterial, because they are not able to take all of their paid vacation time for other reasons. On the other hand, many people might choose to value vacation time *higher* than non-vacation time.

In other words (and I don't say this lightly ) I agree with Lewisc---showing you the relative time spent is the right way to go about it without getting into a ridiculous tar pit.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

jlewisinsyr--Many of us don't agree with your point. The calculator attempts to tell you the cost and time to drive vs the cost and time to fly. The driver then decides if the savings is worth it. A retired person, or student, still values their time. Not sure how you'd put a dollar value on it. Do we put a value on your time for the 8 hours you'll be sleeping? Do we include overtime? 401k contribution? You have 2 high school kids in your car. What value do you put on their time? JMO but better to just list the dollar savings vs the extra hours.

I understand what you are saying here, but it's not that simple. Different people are in different places on the vacation time/vacation dollars curve. Many people don't have the ability to just work more hours for additional pay. For some folks, the value of the lost time denominated in employment compensation is immaterial, because they are not able to take all of their paid vacation time for other reasons. On the other hand, many people might choose to value vacation time *higher* than non-vacation time.

In other words (and I don't say this lightly ) I agree with Lewisc---showing you the relative time spent is the right way to go about it without getting into a ridiculous tar pit.

And that is the benefit of a discussion board, to have varying opinions (and disagreeing respectfully) on a subject and for others to develop their own opinion on it.

 

[Brian Noble]

For the record, I do exactly what you suggest---lost time on vacation is valued at my hourly rate. But, I *am* generally able to just work more hours (provided my consulting business has sufficient demand). I suspect most people are not in that position.

 

[PrincessMom4]

This actually confirms driving is cheaper for our family than flying.