Driving vs. flying from Pittsburgh (W.PA)

[HayGan]

I'm still debating whether or not we should drive or fly for our December trip. We don't mind the long drive but if it is going to cost about the same or less to fly then we would probably lean towards flying. If we drive we would break the drive up into 2 days both ways with a stay in a hotel each way. We have an Explorer (no SUV debates please) so our gas would be a little bit higher. With Southwest now flying out of Pittsburgh we could probably all fly for less than $800 but we would most likely have to rent a car in Florida.

How long is the drive really? Where are good stopping points? Any good clean but cheap hotels along the route?


Ohh, I'm so confused somebody please help!!!!

 

[becky7953]

I live in Eastern OH, and have been checking the Erie, PA airport. The flights are cheaper than Cleveland airport. I have seen flights for $158.00 round trip to Orlando with 1 stop. My brother in law and his family just drove down. I am not sure how long it took them, but they said it cost alot to drive. (they have a durango) Depending on how many people are going I would really look into flying. An extra day at Disney could possibly be worth it

 

[HayGan]

Thanks but with 2 small kids we definately need non-stop (not a problem out of Pittsburgh)

Why aren't you looking at Pittsburgh?

 

[oogieboogie]

We live in Akron, but we actually fly out from Pittsburgh since a lot of times airfare is cheaper from PIT. To drive would take you roughly 14-16 hours. When we drove, we broke up the drive by going in the afternoon on Day 1, drive 8 hrs to Columbia, SC and spending the night there. Then Day 2, we wake up around 5am and drive 8hrs more to Orlando. We usually priceline a hotel room for around $25-$28 for the night near the interstate.

The reasoning for driving late in the evening is 1/2 the journey, the kids are asleep, and in the morning they're not quite awake yet, which makes for a nice quiet drive. Then we get in around lunchtime in Orlando and can start our vacation with a nice lunch in the park.

However, the way airfare rates are I love flying. Right now we have $79 one way from PIT to MCO and it only takes 2 hours to get to MCO.

It's a hard toss up. Drive - 2 days, gas money, lodging for 1 night or Fly - 2 hours, rental car.

Ultimately for us, we'd rather pay a bit more to get to WDW sooner!

 

[Maureenmouse]

I grew up in Pittsburgh. We always drove and stopped about half way. I now live in NC. If you are on I95, Lumberton NC has some reasonable hotels. It might be better to fly if you're not going to leave WDW. We are driving, but from NC, I don't think it will take more than 10 hrs.

 

[Jacksmom99]

We have always driven from MA, but are flying in August for the first time. It usually costs between $400 and $500 for us to drive. However, I always have to take 2 unpaid days off from summer school, as we're paid per diem, and DH has to take extra vacation time. This year we found flights for 79 each way out of Boston on jetblue. $700.80 for the 4 of us, and we're splitting the cost of the minivan rental with the grandparents.

I don't really mind the drive too much. (I sleep and DH's drives. ) But my DD (3 in May) has been miserable on the last 4 trips. Last August we drove straight through so we wouldn't get caught on the road during Bonnie (we drove straight into Charley, but who knoew? ) and DD cried for about 18 of the 24 hours.

I think if you can get cheap airfair, and don't need a minivan for a rental, you should be able to fly for about the same out of pocket expense as driving, especially once you figure in how much your time costs that you have to take off from work.

However, if you decide to drive you can take more things with you, like snacks and groceries. But you could buy them at Walmart if you fly and get a rental car. If you do decide to drive, we've stayed at several hotels along the way. My favorite so far is the Fairfield Inn in Lumberton, NC, exit 20. It's about 8 hours to WDW from there. We like to do the biggest driving on the first day, 12-14 hours.

Kim

 

[becky7953]

Thanks but with 2 small kids we definately need non-stop (not a problem out of Pittsburgh)

Why aren't you looking at Pittsburgh?

I will check it out We are just starting to plan a trip. I will explore Pittsburgh too I kind of like the split up between flights it lets our kids stretch their legs a bit. Don't get me wrong I would also do the nonstop.

 

[mommic32]

Hi. I to live in Pittsburgh and just wanted to add that I kept my eye on the flights and booked us a non stop direct flight to Orlando for the 4 of us for $707.00 on Southwest. To me this is my kids first trip and thought that they would love love love the whole flying experience! ( Lets hope) we leave in a month.. Personally my youngest will always ask are we there yet, and I cant imagine driving with her to Disney!

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for all the advice everybody! We go to the Outer Banks regularly so the kids are used to a long drive. Thank goodness for my laptop with dvd player. Now they both have portable game systems as well so theat should help on the entertainment. We were planning on leaving here about 12:30 on a Friday (after DS#1 is done with school) and driving for about 10 - 12 hours; getting a room and then finishing the trip on Saturday (leaving plenty of time for stops along the way ) Vacation time isn't an issue as I get 5 weeks a year (I can bank and carry as much as I want )

I think we will just wait and see if we can get roundtrip airfare for around $150 each and make a decision from there

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I grew up in Pittsburgh, too and I would be wary of driving to/from there anytime after mid-November until April...too much snow & ice possible. That being said, I think that you should definitely look into flying out of PIT via Southwest. They can have airfare as low as $49 one-way from PIT and they have a non-stops that departs PIT at 8 am with a n/s return flight at 10:25 am. Also, it's been my experience in Philly, that when Southwest came in, USAir started to come down in price. They had to, in order to remain competitive. Southwest's reservations are only going thru September 12 right now. Sign up for their email updates and keep an eye out for when they'll begin taking December ressies.

Between gas prices, wear & tear on the car, tolls and hotel stops along the way, flying might be a cheaper alternative. When you also factor in your time, level of aggrevation and tolerance for long hours in the car, flying can be a downright bargain.

PS-If you decide to drive, avoid I-95 in the Baltimore/Washington area. The traffic there is horrendous!

 

[lanicastro]

We live in NE Ohio and had the drive/fly debate until we sat down and realized that it would cost us about the same either way. We decided fly- less stress and quicker. We are flying out of PIT for $707 for 4 people on AirTran in October. We are 2 hours from the airport, but it sure beats the $300/person tickets from Cleveland! I say enjoy your vacation and fly.

Lynn