Drive vs Fly: Minnesota to Disneyland

[Twin Dad]

DW is now talking about going to DL in the spring 2014 as well as our trip to WDW in October of 2013. She wants to go to California Adventures before the twins are too old for Cars Land.

Google maps has us going I70 through Denver then hooking up with I15 though Vegas into California. I'd be open to different routes if there's a tamer part of the Rockies that we could head through.

She wants to drive while I'd rather fly. Vacation time isn't a big deal. We can both afford the two days it would take to drive each way. I'm not thrilled with going through the Rockies in March. Has anyone driven through the Rockies in March? What could we expect?

 

[MrMarv]

Do you think you can drive 1900+ miles in two days on a route where the weather historically would be very Twin-Cities like for well over 80% of your trip? That would be extremely challenging IMHO.

I would definitely fly, but that's my two cents; having lived in LA for 60 years, only the first 400 or so miles from LA/MSP would be worry-free from a weather standpoint if I tried to drive that route anytime in March, with all due respect.

 

[pugdog]

The only way to avoid most of the bad weather is to take 35 down to Texas and then go west, not the shortest route. So fly.

 

[Twin Dad]

That's what I figured. A friend of DW's did the trip in early December so she thinks it should be easy. I've been in the Sierra Nevada's in March and know better. I was wondering if there is a route that would be better than others. Looks like I'll be doubling my efforts to fly.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Even three days driving each way to cover that distance during decent weather would be more than enough driving for us.

I would definitely fly!

 

[taaren]

I've done that drive except from Western Michigan, where I was going to college, to the L.A. area that I was moving to many years ago. (70-15)

The Rockies and the 70 isn't the worst part. Its the part that goes through Southern Utah where its flat, boring, and the wind wants to blow you off the road. Nebraska cornfields were fascinating and lovely compared to driving Southern Utah.

Fly. Unless the object is the road trip itself. (We made Denver and Las Vegas into mini-destinations, along with stopping to visit a few friends in the midwest along the way.)

 

[Karlzmom]

IMHO its insane to try and make that drive. Even if you succeed in staying on schedule [how will your kids take being cooped up that long in car seats?], are you really going to be ready to hit the parks and have fun when you get there? We did a two day drive covering 700 miles with an easy going 3 year old and it was still tough. I'd fly.....

 

[MrMarv]

Doing this drive in late March wouldn't be a good idea; since the weather for 75% or more of that route is bound to be miserable, even if you wind up needing 3 1/2 or 4 days to make the trip.

 

[Twin Dad]

I appreciate the input. I'll be pushing even harder to fly. I also found air fare for $200 each after taxes and fees. That's not much more than gas and a couple hotel rooms round trip. That'll make flying a little easier for DW to agree to.

 

[dudspizza]

I appreciate the input. I'll be pushing even harder to fly. I also found air fare for $200 each after taxes and fees. That's not much more than gas and a couple hotel rooms round trip. That'll make flying a little easier for DW to agree to.

$200 all included MSP-LA BUY NOW!

Wait..... this is a 2014 trip, airfare is not out for that timeframe yet....... when the time comes, if you find anything under $300RT you are getting a good deal to California. Our buy it now price is $250RT to Orlando.

Duds

 

[Twin Dad]

$200 all included MSP-LA BUY NOW!

Wait..... this is a 2014 trip, airfare is not out for that timeframe yet....... when the time comes, if you find anything under $300RT you are getting a good deal to California. Our buy it now price is $250RT to Orlando.

Duds

I was looking at 2013 rates for the week we'd be going in 2014. Also, because of my job we'd be flying out on a Sunday and back on Thursday or Friday. That reduces the cost per ticket considerably.