Driving versus Flying (Example-NC)

[DisneyMOM09]

We plan on renting a car and driving. We live on the MS gulf Coast and mapquest says it's about 8-9 hrs. We always drive when we go on vacation so it's not a big deal to us. I like to have room to pack whatever I like. We bought the girls a portable DVD player for our car trips and pack drinks and snacks for the ride and usually swing through a drive thru for lunch. We checked out plane tickets and it would take us almost the same time to get there and cost us twice as much!

 

[Tosha]

I would LOVE to drive. Our airfare alone is $2,000 alone. I would love to spend that on knick knacks and souveneirs and such at the park, but driving 23 hours from Chicago with 5 little ones would equal one thing.....23 hour drive + 5 little ones and 2 parents = DISASTER!!!!!!

 

[Dopey420]

Don't forget there are tolls in Orlando and other places. There is the possibility of a break down. My family can't go 30 minutes without a pee break!

I think driving is dangerous with all the trucks and sleepy drivers. I saw a horrific crash on the way back from WDW a few years back. We were the first on the scene. Luggage, clothes, books and bodies all over the road. After that, I said no more driving.

Flying is MUCH safer.

 

[zickig]

We are driving from PA, which is going to be about a 15hr trip but with all the kids needing seats on the plane it is still less for us to drive and split it into 2 days, so we are checking in to WDW on Aug2 but leaving home on Aug1 and just staying somewhere on the way down, doing the same for the way back. My dh gets 2wks plus 5 floating days to use for work tho, if he only got a week and no extra's then we would probably fly also. I look forward to the drive, but that is just me.

 

[Chkysbak]

Flying versus Driving (My Opinion)

Flying time = Total time = ~ 5 hrs. 45 mins.
(1.5 hours drive to RDU, 2 hr wait before flight, 1 hr 45 min. flight)
Disney Express time = Unknown, but it can't be 3.5 hrs.
Driving to airport cost = Google maps = 82 mi - about 1 hour 24 mins (can make in 1 hr)
(Van gets ~22 MPG, ~ $4.11 per gallon - DOE East Coast Average) $15.32 One Way - $30.64 Round Trip
You also have to figure normal wear and tear on the Tires, etc.. $0.15 per mile (According to AAA) = 12.30 One way or 24.60 Round Trip
Parking (Park & Ride) = $6/day = $54.00

Total Flying Money = ~$735.24

Driving Time = Google maps = ~ 628 mi – about 9 hours 51 mins (can probably make it in 9)
If driving (I would do all the driving) I would be exhausted and wouldn't enjoy my first day as much as I would if I was refreshed.
Money = (Van gets ~22 MPG, ~ $4.11 per gallon - DOE East Coast Average) $117.32 One Way - $234.64 Round Trip
You also have to figure normal wear and tear on the Tires, etc.. $0.15 per mile (According to AAA) = 94.20 One way or 188.40 Round Trip
You factor in a meal and snacks for this trip (Family of four):
McDonald's, etc.. : ~$20-35 per meal (One Meal) (Based on personal experience)
Snacks = ~$8.00 (Drinks, candy, etc...)

Grand Total for driving = ~$466.04

Driving saves you ~$269.20

Flying just got a little cheaper

Driving would have cost me an extra $48.62 more with these gas prices from when I budgeted my trip. I realize that isn't a lot but everything counts this day and age.

Still hoping for a DING

 

[Crystal0608]

I too am from NC. I'm only 30 min from GSO, but the flights are $$$. I booked free dining in Sept. I really wanted to fly since its a short 5 day trip . I've rebooked dings so now my total roundtrip via Southwest out of RDU is $572! This doesn't include parking.

Last year we went for 10 days and took our car. Using the fuel calculator, gas is around $155 rt. this year. We had about $100 in preventive maintenance done on the car last year before the trip. On the way down, $20 for dinner & $65 for motel stay. On the way back, $10 for snacks/drinks. Total for about $350.

 

[Mic]

I live in the middle between Charlotte and Raleigh. Drive time to CLT is 1.5 hours, drive time to RDU is 1.5-2 hours, GSO is 1 hour away. So if you add the time it takes us to get to the airport to the time spent at the airport in NC, the flight time, and the wait time at MCO and the drive to Disney(we've done Magicl Express, rental car, and towncar), we are only saving approximately 2 hours of time by flying versus driving to Disney.

As far as the cost, we are a family of 6, and usually take friends/family with us, so flying is very expensive. We have flown two or three times when we were a party of 4 or less out of Raleigh on Southwest. We were able to get pretty good flight times and prices(the best price so far has been @$80 round-trip). On two different occassions, just my husband and I flew to Florida for a Disney cruise: in 2002 we flew Southwest into MCO for @$120 each roundtrip, and rented a car to/from the port(@$90). This past January, we flew Skybus from Greensboro to St. Augustine(we spent $120 TOTAL for two roundtrip flights...really miss those $10 flights!), and rented a car to/from port(again, about $90). Because we found the Skybus flight to be so economical and easy, my husband and I talked of flying them this month with the whole family, but they went bankrupt in May. I have checked into flying Allegiant out of Greensboro, but the cost of transportation from Sanford to Disney negates any flight savings over flying into MCO.

We just returned from a driving trip to Disney, and I might make another short(4-day) trip in the next month. One thing that will likely impact our decision to drive is the recent airline policy on a second checked bag(I have 3 teenage daughters!), in addition to the fuel surcharge. I drive a 2004 Chevy Suburban(can you say GAS HOG?) that we keep well-maintained, and I still spent over $250 in gas last week. But we had 8 people in the Suburban, all of their luggage, a cooler, and some non-perishable food and snacks for the room. Without considering the wear and tear on the Suburban, transportation costs came out to about $35 per person, and I saved a little money on food in the room. Over Mother's Day weekend, I drove my daughter's 2004 Mini Cooper to Disney World, and spent $125 in gas. If divided by 3(myself, my Mom, and my oldest daughter), it still comes out to less than $50 per person, and I LOVE driving that car. Besides the savings, having a car at Disney is a luxury I am not willing to give up just yet, especially since I can park at any theme park for free(we always stay onsite). If I lived further away, though, I would likely fly at least some of the time, and make fewer trips.

 

[MrsPete]

Flying versus Driving (My Opinion)
[/U]
Flying time = Total time = ~ 5 hrs. 45 mins.
(1.5 hours drive to RDU, 2 hr wait before flight, 1 hr 45 min. flight)
Disney Express time = Unknown, but it can't be 3.5 hrs.
Driving to airport cost = Google maps = 82 mi - about 1 hour 24 mins (can make in 1 hr)
(Van gets ~22 MPG, ~ $3.13 per gallon - DOE East Coast Average) $11.66 One Way - 23.32 Round Trip
You also have to figure normal wear and tear on the Tires, etc.. $0.15 per mile (According to AAA) = 12.30 One way or 24.60 Round Trip
Parking (Park & Ride) = $6/day = $54.00

Total Flying Money = ~$727.92

Driving Time = Google maps = ~ 628 mi – about 9 hours 51 mins (can probably make it in 9)
If driving (I would do all the driving) I would be exhausted and wouldn't enjoy my first day as much as I would if I was refreshed.
Money = (Van gets ~22 MPG, ~ $3.13 per gallon - DOE East Coast Average) $89.35 One Way - 178.70 Round Trip
You also have to figure normal wear and tear on the Tires, etc.. $0.15 per mile (According to AAA) = 94.20 One way or 188.40 Round Trip
You factor in a meal and snacks for this trip (Family of four):
McDonald's, etc.. : ~$20-35 per meal (One Meal) (Based on personal experience)
Snacks = ~$8.00 (Drinks, candy, etc...)

Grand Total for driving = ~$410.10

Driving saves you ~$317.82

A couple comments:

.15/mile may be what AAA says, but realistically you're not going to depreciate your car and tires $188.40 in one trip to Florida.

Speaking only for myself, I don't include meals in my cost calculations; I have to feed my family whether we're at home or on the road. Also, since many airlines have started charging for meals, this particular detailis probably a wash. If you do want to include the cost of food, you should include at least drinks at the airport -- the kids aren't going to ride 1.5 hours, then sit nicely in the airport for the two hours before the flight without something.

Since you're being very exact, don't forget the tip for the Magical Express driver.

You do have the option of letting your spouse drive part-way so that you don't arrive exhausted.

Finally, driving has one big benefit not listed above: You can pack anything you want, and no one's going to take away your 8 oz. toothpaste or charge you for that extra suitcase. You can take snacks and 12-packs of sale-purchased sodas, which negates the need for buying over-priced food/drinks at your hotel. You can take a small cooler, which means you don't have to pay for a refrigerator at your hotel.

 

[MrsPete]

I live in the middle between Charlotte and Raleigh. Drive time to CLT is 1.5 hours, drive time to RDU is 1.5-2 hours, GSO is 1 hour away. So if you add the time it takes us to get to the airport to the time spent at the airport in NC, the flight time, and the wait time at MCO and the drive to Disney(we've done Magicl Express, rental car, and towncar), we are only saving approximately 2 hours of time by flying versus driving to Disney.

I live in the same area. Last time we flew as a family, we went out of Greensboro, which is a slightly longer drive for us (though still straight up the interstate, an easy drive). WOW! What an improvement over Charlotte-Douglas. Parking was easier, fewer people were crowding into the security area. The biggie, though, was the significant difference in ticket costs; Charlotte is a very expensive city for airline flights! I was amazed at the price difference.

Since then my husband has started scheduling his business travel out of Greensboro. 20 extra minutes on the road = a much easier airport experience.

 

[Tinkermommy]

We live just north of Atlanta, so it is a wash timewise. And the cost will always be much cheaper to drive.

That being said, we have two small kids and we still prefer to drive. I travel for work alot and there can be flight delays (mechanical and weather) and delays getting your luggage (and MCO always seems to be very slow!!).

We also prefer to drive for the following:
- Don't like the Disney bus system. It's too slow and we always stay on property so parking is free.
- I can take as much as I like including snacks and water so I don't have to pay park prices.
- I can buy as much as I like and not have to worry about getting it home.
- If our plans change (want to stay longer, etc), no problem!
- I guess since I fly for work, I don't think flying is fun anymore.
- The planes are very crowded since they are running fewer flights.
- Security is a pain. Make sure you read up on the latest rules for what you can bring on.
- Extra fees for luggage.

That's just us though. If I had to drive over 10 hours, I would probably look into flying.

Have a great time whatever you choose!

 

[Sunobo]

I would rather fly but with airfare for the four of being $1000+ (at the cheapest airport which is a 2 hour drive away), it makes more sense to do the 15+ hour drive.