Fly or Drive

[TygerHawks]

So I am in the drive or fly dilemma and can't determine what would be best. Driving would be 17 hours, driving from Waco, TX, in a PT Cruiser that averages maybe 20mpg. There are four of us, including a 14 year old son and 4 year old daughter. Flight would cost about $1200 and I think gas for the drive could be in the $450-600 range.

Any tips or suggestions?

 

[jemmouse]

I prefer to fly...DH can't take off 2 weeks at a time can only max do a week( I think he thinks his office would fall apart without him ) With that being said we like to get to our destination fast and start the fun....

But if driving doesn't bother you or DH, then drive. Factor in meals, and will you stop over somewhere for the night.

 

[grimley1968]

That's really up to you. The economics of it may be a wash where you are, considering how long the drive is. But even if it's less expensive to drive, consider how much you're willing to pay to avoid such a long drive. Consider how much it costs to park at the airport each day of your trip. Consider the cost of a rental car if you really like to have a vehicle with you.

Finally, consider the "door to door" time. For a drive that long, it's hard to imagine the "door to door" time of flying would be anywhere close to how long it would be driving. In my scenario though, with about 11.5 hours driving time, it would certainly be less expensive for me to drive unless a crazy airline deal came out (like $200 or less r/t tickets), even if gas was $4/gallon. Also, I live anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours from nearest major airports. That factor, added to having to be at the airport so long before flights now and layover waits for non-direct flights, means that "door to door" time for us, even with a 11.5 hour drive is often about the same for driving or often even less than flying. So it's usually a no-brainer for us to drive.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Figure on losing half a day in each direction if you fly, or 1.5 in each direction if you drive. Essentially you save 2 days total if you fly. Is that worth the added expense? Only you can decide.

 

[TygerHawks]

I know driving would be cheaper. I suppose my hiccup is the unexpected possibilities such as a breakdown and well....two kids on such a long drive.

 

[OKW Lover]

People are all making good points to consider here. I'll just add that flying is safer than driving.

 

[peabody58]

Tongue in Cheek response....

As a child of the 60's/70's, our family of 4 kids drove everywhere with no A/C!! It built character, strong bladders and great observation skills playing road games. It was great seeing how long dad would drive on 'empty' until mom would finally lose it.

DW and I enjoy our 18 hr drive to WDW. Road trips are an adventure and should be embraced whenever possible. Aside from the extra time and wear and tear on the car, driving sves money hands down for us. We enjoy having the car when on vacation and can easily make trips to the store as needed.

It's been almost 4 yrs since we last flew, and since then air fare costs have almost tripled, where-as driving costs have remained static.

Either way, enjoy the journey and your vacation.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I know driving would be cheaper. I suppose my hiccup is the unexpected possibilities such as a breakdown and well....two kids on such a long drive.

There's also the potential for a hiccup with major delays at the airport. If you're flying out of Dallas in the Spring, plan on weather delays. I've spent WAY too much time stuck in Dallas

 

[Greysword]

It was great seeing how long dad would drive on 'empty' until mom would finally lose it.

Road trips are an adventure and should be embraced whenever possible.

+1

There is something to be said for the great American adventure.

You should do the drive with the kids once, just to do it (and torture them ). It will definitely lock in some memories.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's been almost 4 yrs since we last flew, and since then air fare costs have almost tripled, where-as driving costs have remained static.

What??

Gas prices in February 2009 averaged $1.86 a gallon (gasbuddy.com). This past Monday (Feb. 11), the average national price was $3.59. Hardly a static cost. Add in increased costs for running a car (servicing, tires, initial purchase cost, etc.), and you're paying a lot more to drive than you did four years ago.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What??

Gas prices in February 2009 averaged $1.86 a gallon (gasbuddy.com). This past Monday (Feb. 11), the average national price was $3.59. Hardly a static cost. Add in increased costs for running a car (servicing, tires, initial purchase cost, etc.), and you're paying a lot more to drive than you did four years ago.

Gas prices were low very, very, very temporarily early in 2009 after the economy tanked. It was a pretty narrow window

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Gas prices were low very, very, very temporarily early in 2009 after the economy tanked. It was a pretty narrow window

In 2009, the national average price for a tank of gas was $2.35. I used the figure for February 2009 because that was 4 years ago. The point is still the same; the price of driving certainly has not remained static for the past 4 years.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

In 2009, the national average price for a tank of gas was $2.35. I used the figure for February 2009 because that was 4 years ago. The point is still the same; the price of driving certainly has not remained static for the past 4 years.

No, you're right it's not stagnant and it's never been higher this time of year than what it is now. That is true

 

[sam_gordon]

We drove with the kids (then 9, 4 & 1) once for our 13 hour drive. We picked the older one up after school and headed out. The drive down wasn't bad at all. The kids were well behaved, traffic was pretty good. We stopped around Valdosta, Ga around midnight. The kids had been asleep for a couple hours.

Of course, after their "nap", when we got them up to get into the hotel, they were wound back up. It took another hour or so to settle them back down. The next morning, the remaining three hour drive took us 5. We couldn't get the bathroom breaks synchronized. We'd stop, someone would say they didn't 'need to go', everyone else would, we'd get on the road for another 30 minutes and the one who didn't need to go now needed to go.

The drive back just seemed like forever. The kids weren't as well behaved, traffic seemed worse, and there was nothing to "look forward to".

I'll fly every chance I get.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The next morning, the remaining three hour drive took us 5. We couldn't get the bathroom breaks synchronized. We'd stop, someone would say they didn't 'need to go', everyone else would, we'd get on the road for another 30 minutes and the one who didn't need to go now needed to go.

The first rule of the road trip - when one person needs to go, EVERYONE goes!

Sometimes we plan fun stuff along the way on the trip home that we passed up on our way TO our destination. Even if it's just killing an hour at a Bass Pro somewhere along the way.

 

[sam_gordon]

The first rule of the road trip - when one person needs to go, EVERYONE goes!

Yea, but when the person in question is 3 years old, it's hard to MAKE him go.

In hindsight, we would have driven straight through. But I can't imagine doing a 17 hour drive!

 

[maxiesmom]

The drive back just seemed like forever. The kids weren't as well behaved, traffic seemed worse, and there was nothing to "look forward to".

I'll fly every chance I get.

To me the drive back is the worst! As you say you have nothing to look forward to, the excitement of the trip is gone. Plus you are exhausted. There is nothing fun or enjoyable about a lot of tired, cranky people crammed into a car for hours on end.

I remember the last time my sister's family drove to WDW (I flew). When we all got back home her youngest daughter, who was around 5 at the time said "I never want to drive in the car again!" And then she said her butt hurt. They have flown every trip from then until now.

 

[Greysword]

What??

We'd stop, someone would say they didn't 'need to go', everyone else would, we'd get on the road for another 30 minutes and the one who didn't need to go now needed to go.

Just as long as one of those stops was in Gainesville, it is ok. Always stop to do your business in Gainesville. . .

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Yea, but when the person in question is 3 years old, it's hard to MAKE him go. !

My youngest can be like that. We make her at least get on the toilet and if she still doesn't go, oh well.

Funny thing is, she sometimes forgets to go when she gets up. So, she may go at 8 at night and then not until lunch the next day. But, get her in a car and she may need to stop twice in half an hour

 

[fitmom3]

I will find out on Tuesday if I get a week off in March. The cost to fly is too high since it is getting so close. I did find some flights out of Pittsburgh for $98 with AirTran but they are sold out - they also ding you on the way back. We will most likely drive (20-24 hours). For us we will arrive at the same time as we would flying. The flight that I checked leaves on Saturday in the late afternoon. We usually stay in the states on the Friday night and fly out Saturday. We plan on driving on Friday night after work and arriving by Saturday night. Yes it is a long long long drive. We did it last year when Direct Air went bankrupt and it wasn't too bad. I have three kids aged 6,8,10. They never eat fast food so look forward to eating out on the road. We will watch tons of videos, play road games and just hope the rides will sleep through the night. We have three drives so are hoping to push it. On the way back we will take our time. I mentioned the $98 flights to my husband and he said no way I want the adventure of the road trip again. We will take our van to the mechanic in the next week to make sure if is tuned up.

Lori