To Drive or to Fly, that is the question

[nutsforgolf]

We are all set to go Aug 16th to the 27th, staying at CSR. We are coming from the Philadelphia region, so to drive, it's about 16 hours of actual drive time, plus stops. My wife wants to drive, my kids (10 & 7) want to fly, and although I perfer to fly, not sure.

My wife also like to have the car, not sure why. Part of my vacation is having Disney drive. To Fly would cost about $1,000, to drive about $500. not a big difference considering the trip costs about $4,000.

HELP

 

[starwood]

We drove for the first time 2 weekends ago. I hadn't driven since 1974 with my parents, in July, in a car with no A/C.

We have a Prius so gas was great. I kept track of expenses on the way down and figure we spent around $250 for gas, food and hotel for 1 night. Compared to more than $250 for 1 plane ticket plus $25 per suitcase plus rental car on arrival. I am loving driving down. There were 3 of us so we split up the driving.

The only down side was that I got sick on the way home with a stomach virus (not pleasant at all) so it took an extra day to get home and there were only 2 people sharing the driving.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We are driving for the first time this summer. Currently, for our family of four to fly mid July would cost closer to $1300. (Baggage, airport fees, etc. not including airport snacks, meals, etc.)

It takes us about 7 hours door to door when we fly. So, to drive another 9 hours to save us about $800 is a good deal. Gas is less than $300 (now) and maybe $100 for stops. Another $100 for hotel on way home.

I am excited to drive. I can pack whatever; we can go at our on pace. I don't have to worry about sitting on the tarmac, delayed flights, etc. We can stretch out. The only down side is driving home. We plan on stopping halfway to lighten the drive back.

My husband's plan is to leave the car in its spot throughout our stay. Oddly enough, Disney transportation is part of the fun for us.

I am looking forward to sharing the old driving games I played as a kid, creating memories, and making traditions. Our girls are 8. We can bring movies, the Wii (my Sienna has a connection for it), snacks. We should be able to pass the time easily enough.

Check out 2,000 mile forum: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1655918
Also, http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/TripGasprice.aspx and http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/NC-I95.htm

 

[wak648]

I am looking forward to sharing the old driving games I played as a kid, creating memories, and making traditions. Our girls are 8. We can bring movies, the Wii (my Sienna has a connection for it), snacks. We should be able to pass the time easily enough.

This is one of the same reasons why I am so looking foward to driving down this July. Some of my greatest memories from growing up were our driving trips to Disney.

 

[taitai]

Other things to factor in your calculations. The cost of wear on your automobile. That can be significant. Also, the cost, in terms of salary, of taking the extra vacation days necessary to drive (when they are necessary). To fly, for us, would take two days each way. It simply will never be financially prudent for us to forgo 4 days of salary to drive. Never. I am self-employed and my husband has mountainous vacation time but we would never squander it on driving.

However, if you want to drive because it is fun and you want to experience the Great American Car Trip, well, that is priceless and you should absolutely go for it.

Have a safe trip!

 

[NancyIL]

I prefer to fly, and with one exception have always flown when going solo. I have driven several times from Illinois (2 days of driving each direction) when going with my kids, because we stopped along the way to visit relatives.

If I had more time than money, I would drive. If I had more money than time, I would fly.

 

[nutsforgolf]

Thanks for the info...taitai....you mentioned wear and tear...what is the best way to determine the true cost of wear and tear? what does 2,000 miles cost on the car? if it helps we have an 08 Outback.

 

[taitai]

Thanks for the info...taitai....you mentioned wear and tear...what is the best way to determine the true cost of wear and tear? what does 2,000 miles cost on the car? if it helps we have an 08 Outback.

You know, there are so many algorithms out there, hard to tell. I believe the federal goverment allows you to deduct $.58/mile for tax purposes in terms of the wear and tear on your automobile when used for business. The gov't number includes the cost of insurance, maintenance, etc. so might not be the correct number for you. Remember, more miles means it will depreciate faster and you will need a new one sooner. So, using the gov't tax # it would be $1170. Now, I have seen other, lower, strictly wear and tear figures closer to $.18/mile. So that would be closer to $360.

Really, only you can determine how much it is worth to you to add the miles to your car.

My point was simply that the costs are more than just gas and tolls. Vacation days have value. When you leave your job, unused vacation days can be converted into cash. I know so many people, in this rough economy, who are banking every vacation day they can (outside the use or lose rules) in order to have an extra cushion in case they get laid off.

Good luck in your decision

 

[richmo]

taitai made some good points that many forget about when calculating driving vs. flying. It does take at least 1 and maybe 2 extra days each way to drive. And, for me, that would mean taking 1 or 2 extra vacation days or shortening the trip. As much as I don't like the upward trend that airfares have taken lately, my time is more valuable.

I'll just add a few more unrelated things:
- If you do drive, you could rent a car at home and use that rather than add up the wear and tear on yours. If you do that, make sure you get an unlimited miles rental and make sure its OK to take the rental out of state. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a cheap rental...
- I've done the PHL to MCO trip in that time frame several times over the past several years. Historically, it is a good period for finding air discounts. While I don't think we'll see the $49 one way fares of the past, you might find some $79's or so. (Don't forget to add baggage fees, unless you go with Southwest).
- The Southwest fares for your time period will come out on March 23. If you go with them, you could book and fare watch up to near your departure date. You could even change your mind and drive, if you're willing to take a credit (that would have to be used a year from your booking date, not the departure date). Any fare decreases would also be a credit.

 

[uva185]

We are all set to go Aug 16th to the 27th, staying at CSR. We are coming from the Philadelphia region, so to drive, it's about 16 hours of actual drive time, plus stops. My wife wants to drive, my kids (10 & 7) want to fly, and although I perfer to fly, not sure.

My wife also like to have the car, not sure why. Part of my vacation is having Disney drive. To Fly would cost about $1,000, to drive about $500. not a big difference considering the trip costs about $4,000.

HELP

Having Disney drive is part of my vacation too! It wouldn't be the same if I had to drive around to the parks myself.

It seems convincing your wife is the challenge

Some thoughts...

-Flying would save a substantial amount of your vacation time. No need to waste 16 hours driving when it takes 2 hours to fly. You could arrive in time for breakfast!

-Disney provides free roundtrip transportation from the airport to the resort so there is no need to spend the money on a rental car.

-If you flew you could enjoy your last day in Disney to the fullest and not worry about staying awake for the drive home.

 

[DisneyNicole]

My mother said she drived from New Jersey to Disney, and that it was 18 hours of misery, car sickness, and "expenses." I suggest, that if you don't want a version of hell, that you take a plane.

 

[Coach81]

Driving- + Cheaper.. most flexibility with travel, ability to pack more.
- Takes longer, pay to park, traffic, stress of driving.
Flying- + Faster, no traffic, no pay to park.
- More expensive, must pack lighter, stress of flying, bus transportation.

We do both..

Good luck with your decision!

 

[HHSTigerFan]

No need to waste 16 hours driving when it takes 2 hours to fly. You could arrive in time for breakfast!

Sure, if you live at the terminal and don't mind eating a late breakfast..

For most people, its usually takes at least 6 hours to get door to door if they fly. Whether we fly or drive, we set it up so we get to WDW for lunch, if we fly we leave the house by 5:00 AM to do this, if we drive we leave by 7PM and drive straight thru.. to me, its soooooo worth it to basically stay up all night and drive instead of sleeping so we can set our schedule and be flexible.. If we want to spend a few days at the beach, maybe do a day at Seaworld or whatever, we can do it at the last minute!!

 

[uva185]

Sure, if you live at the terminal and don't mind eating a late breakfast..

For most people, its usually takes at least 6 hours to get door to door if they fly. Whether we fly or drive, we set it up so we get to WDW for lunch, if we fly we leave the house by 5:00 AM to do this, if we drive we leave by 7PM and drive straight thru.. to me, its soooooo worth it to basically stay up all night and drive instead of sleeping so we can set our schedule and be flexible.. If we want to spend a few days at the beach, maybe do a day at Seaworld or whatever, we can do it at the last minute!!

To be fair the 16 hour driving time doesn't include stops for food, gas, rest, etc.

Sure you can drive through the night to make it there by lunch but are you not exhausted by the time you reach Disney? It just doesn't seem like a pleasant way to start a vacation.

I did a road trip with some friends from DC to Miami. I only had to drive for a couple hours and it was still without a doubt one of the worst travel experience I've had. Coming back was even worse because you lose the excitement of going on vacation.

Even if flying took just as long as driving I would still fly. To me being on the road is stressful, flying is relaxing as you can sit back, have a cocktail, read a book, and even get up to stretch or use the lav without "stopping".

I understand most people do not find flying as enjoyable as I do, but regardless that's where I stand.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

To be fair the 16 hour driving time doesn't include stops for food, gas, rest, etc.

Sure you can drive through the night to make it there by lunch but are you not exhausted by the time you reach Disney? It just doesn't seem like a pleasant way to start a vacation.

Last time we drove, we stopped for about 45 minutes total, 3 gas stops and once for breakast.. never understood the idea of stopping to rest when driving, you are SITTING DOWN, listening to music or a game, when I am driving I feel like I am resting..

When we drive straight thru I do all of the driving, get a little tired during that 2A-5A stretch, but perk up once the sun comes up and by time we get to WDW I am ready to go..

 

[uva185]

When we drive straight thru I do all of the driving, get a little tired during that 2A-5A stretch, but perk up once the sun comes up and by time we get to WDW I am ready to go..

That's impressive!

 

[HHSTigerFan]

I am a little over energized I guess, normally live on 4 hours of sleep, bad habit going way back to college...

 

[rina900]

We are going down to Disney in April from Northern NJ and flying. We got a great deal from JetBlue and DH and I have done the drive to Florida 3 times.. not doing it with our two kids in the car!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

To be fair the 16 hour driving time doesn't include stops for food, gas, rest, etc.

Sure you can drive through the night to make it there by lunch but are you not exhausted by the time you reach Disney? It just doesn't seem like a pleasant way to start a vacation.

I did a road trip with some friends from DC to Miami. I only had to drive for a couple hours and it was still without a doubt one of the worst travel experience I've had. Coming back was even worse because you lose the excitement of going on vacation.

Even if flying took just as long as driving I would still fly. To me being on the road is stressful, flying is relaxing as you can sit back, have a cocktail, read a book, and even get up to stretch or use the lav without "stopping".

I understand most people do not find flying as enjoyable as I do, but regardless that's where I stand.

I agree! Even just sitting at the gate reading is waaay more relaxing than navigating I95, toll booths, etc. Any drive longer than 6 hrs and we fly. I joke to dh that I'd fly to PHL if I could.

Dh and I can work a full day til 4:30 pm, kids get a full day of school in too, and catch an 8 pm on a Fri, crash at the Hyatt inside MCO at 11 pm ($54 on Hotwire!) and wake up Sat am well rested in FL and ready to start our vacay.

fwiw, we don't fly to save $, we do it to save time and sanity. I don't even compare costs. I'd still pay a $1000 extra to fly. Driving to FL was only exciting as a teenager. I'm too old for that crap now.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I'm actually debating on whether to drive or fly also! We just went to Disney in May and flew. We have always wanted to experience a road trip and 3 out of our 4 kids do as well. There are ups and downs to each, I'm just going to wait it out and see what I end up deciding on when it comes down to it. We are going in September, so I figure I have a month or two to decide?