How do I decide whether to fly or drive?

How to Decide Whether You Should Drive or Fly
  1. Determine what you'll need when you get there. Whether or not you need a car at your destination can make the flying versus driving debate a little bit easier. ...
  2. Consider the size and age of your family. ...
  3. Consider the “hidden” costs of driving. ...
  4. Utilize a trip calculator. ...
  5. Source:




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Typically, the fastest way to get to your destination when moving long distance is to fly – not drive. So if you're on a tight moving timeline, we recommend opting to fly. On the other hand, if you have a flexible moving timeline and are looking to save money, then driving is the sensible choice.

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In fact, when choosing between planes, trains, and automobiles, Americans prefer traveling by plane least. A survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that three in four (73%) people feel that road tripping is a much more pleasant experience than flying.

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Renting a car can be cheaper than flying because the travel expenses look a lot like driving your own car. You'll pay for the use of the car, fuel, and e-Toll service (if you use it)—but you don't have to pay for depreciation or insurance (unless you opt for add-on protections/insurance).

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The main difference between flying and driving to a vacation is time spent. Benefits and drawbacks vary for either; driving can make hard-to-reach areas accessible, but risks traffic and high gas prices. Flying, meanwhile, allows you to multitask, but you're at the whim of airlines.

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There are statistics that provide an answer to this question. If you consider the absolute numbers, one would arrive at the conclusion that driving is more dangerous than flying. The International Air Transport Association reported that there was just one major aviation crash for every 7.7 million flights in 2021.

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It is during takeoff, climb, descent and landing when pilots are much more involved. These may require more concentration than driving. Landing, in particular, is more complex and can be dangerous.

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So why does flying feel more dangerous when it's obviously far safer than driving? Part of our fear may stem from the perception that, while plane crashes may be rarer than car accidents, they are more deadly.

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As a general rule, it's safe to drive for no longer than eight hours a day, taking breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours. This means you can safely drive for around 500 miles, not taking into account external factors such as slowing for tolls, traffic, travelling with children, and tiredness.

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Your chances of being involved in a fatal plane crash are incredibly small – around 1 in 11 million, according to Harvard researchers. While your odds of being in a plane accident are about 1 in 1.2 million, survivability rates are about 95.7% – so the odds are with you no matter how you look at it.

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September 24, 2023 A single-engine Beechcraft BE23 crashed in a field near Roger M Dreyer Memorial Airport in Gonzales, Texas, around 7:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, September 24. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

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Kirkpatrick said driving also offers a different kind of trip than flying, with opportunities to stop and sightsee on the way, play games in the car and build more bonding time for families. I think that (road trips) are an interesting way to travel regardless of if you're trying to save money or not, she said.

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It's relatively easy for us, much easier than air travel for example. Gas is comparatively cheap here, we have a federal interstate highway system that is generally well maintained, and you can drive for days without crossing a border or encountering someone who can't speak the same language you do.

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Spirit. Like Frontier, Spirit has the skinniest rows of any American airline, with a seat pitch of 28 inches — and they don't recline. Spirit lagged at 8 out of 10 American airlines studied in the in The Points Guys' 2021 report.

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As a general rule, it's best to take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours, and to not drive for more than eight hours in a day, to ensure you stay alert and avoid the associated risks of driving for too long without a rest. Cars do not need to rest under normal conditions.

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