need opinions on driving vs flying for vacation please

**BC-monarchbutterfly** · 04-10-2008, 07:53 AM

so here is the situation, we are taking a family vacation to visit my il's in georgia this summer. we have priced our flying vs driving and are still going back and forth as to which way is best to go.

here is the money situation comparison:
driving total cost (factoring in car depreciation, gas money, hotel stay, food costs): ~$1500 (without car depreciation factored in ~$600-700)
flying total cost (cab to airport, plane tickets, car rental) ~$2000-2100

time comparision:
driving time: roughly 17-18 hrs (13 1/2 hrs actual drive time plus factoring in stops)
flying time (factoring in leaving time, early arrival by 2 hrs at airport, flight time, getting luggage/rental car, time change, drive time from atlanta to destination of 2 1/2 hrs plus lunch stop time): roughly 12 hrs

so flying saves us roughly 5-6 hrs each way which amounts to an extra day in destination vs having to have an extra day on road.

older two would be happy with various items (nintendos, leapsters, dvds, vsmiles, reading, leappad, coloring, etc) for car trip...would probably not be able to take as much with us for airplane trip.
not sure what to entertain littlest with on car trip other than dvd player
also not sure how littlest would handle flight or the ordeal of handling three kiddos in the airport with all the new security measures in place

i keep going back and forth...any input is welcomed

3 ladybugs · 04-10-2008, 08:33 AM

Have you factored what your time is worth to you? To me my time is really valuable but not as valuable as my sanity, which I honestly feel like I lose everytime I fly.

That may help you decide. Good luck!
Jennifer

**BC-Shelli** · 04-10-2008, 12:58 PM

If you have a single destination I would fly. I only like road trips if there are other side trips planned along the way!!

jojo329 · 04-19-2008, 02:28 PM

We go on an 850 mile (one way) trip at least 4-5 times a year to see my family. If it's a 4-5 day trip, we try to fly. If it's a week, we drive. It's waaaaaay too inconvenient to try and figure out a car for our family for an entire week - or have to rent one. Plus, it saves a lot of money. We have been driving since DS was 7 weeks old, and he does fine. LeapPads are wonderful for little ones on a plane or in the car. We use the DVD as a reward for good behavior. So, he has to be good reading, playing games, etc. in order to get to watch a DVD. Our drive is about 13.5 if you just stop for gas and drive through food (which is impossible with that many people). We usually leave after work, arrive in St. Louis about midnight, stay in a hotel from priceline, get going early and arrive by mid-afternoon.
Also, I don't know where you're going in GA, but if it's close to Jacksonville, FL- southwest is pretty cheap.
Have a safe trip!

04-10-2008, 07:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
BC-monarchbutterfly BC - Loss of Infant/Child Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: one of the s's: school, studying or sleep...pick one :) Posts: 12,726 Blog Entries: 59	need opinions on driving vs flying for vacation please so here is the situation, we are taking a family vacation to visit my il's in georgia this summer. we have priced our flying vs driving and are still going back and forth as to which way is best to go. here is the money situation comparison: driving total cost (factoring in car depreciation, gas money, hotel stay, food costs): ~$1500 (without car depreciation factored in ~$600-700) flying total cost (cab to airport, plane tickets, car rental) ~$2000-2100 time comparision: driving time: roughly 17-18 hrs (13 1/2 hrs actual drive time plus factoring in stops) flying time (factoring in leaving time, early arrival by 2 hrs at airport, flight time, getting luggage/rental car, time change, drive time from atlanta to destination of 2 1/2 hrs plus lunch stop time): roughly 12 hrs so flying saves us roughly 5-6 hrs each way which amounts to an extra day in destination vs having to have an extra day on road. older two would be happy with various items (nintendos, leapsters, dvds, vsmiles, reading, leappad, coloring, etc) for car trip...would probably not be able to take as much with us for airplane trip. not sure what to entertain littlest with on car trip other than dvd player also not sure how littlest would handle flight or the ordeal of handling three kiddos in the airport with all the new security measures in place i keep going back and forth...any input is welcomed __________________ me and my three: and my three very sweet angels, who will never be forgotten: (18+wks) (5wks) (8wks)

04-10-2008, 12:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
BC-Shelli BC: Endo, PG Loss & Gyn Procedures Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: God's Pit Stop Posts: 21,198 Blog Entries: 765	If you have a single destination I would fly. I only like road trips if there are other side trips planned along the way!! __________________ Shelli~ TTC #2 for 10 years until my body gave out... Dx: Chronic Endo/Adenomyosis.....Hysterectomy/LSO 3/9/02......Lap/RSO 12/9/04 Mom to my One-derful Lindsay 11/9/90 and Michaela...Heaven Born at 8 weeks pregnancy 4/25/94 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb" Jeremiah 1:5

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04-10-2008, 08:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
3 ladybugs 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,304	Have you factored what your time is worth to you? To me my time is really valuable but not as valuable as my sanity, which I honestly feel like I lose everytime I fly. That may help you decide. Good luck! Jennifer

04-19-2008, 02:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
jojo329 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,268	We go on an 850 mile (one way) trip at least 4-5 times a year to see my family. If it's a 4-5 day trip, we try to fly. If it's a week, we drive. It's waaaaaay too inconvenient to try and figure out a car for our family for an entire week - or have to rent one. Plus, it saves a lot of money. We have been driving since DS was 7 weeks old, and he does fine. LeapPads are wonderful for little ones on a plane or in the car. We use the DVD as a reward for good behavior. So, he has to be good reading, playing games, etc. in order to get to watch a DVD. Our drive is about 13.5 if you just stop for gas and drive through food (which is impossible with that many people). We usually leave after work, arrive in St. Louis about midnight, stay in a hotel from priceline, get going early and arrive by mid-afternoon. Also, I don't know where you're going in GA, but if it's close to Jacksonville, FL- southwest is pretty cheap. Have a safe trip!