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I know there is no exact number of miles, but generally speaking, what is the minimum distance where it makes more practical sense for you to fly instead of drive to your destination?
Lets assume that the majority of the trip can be done by highway and that there is an airport with decent commercial air service near ones home and destination.
For myself, I'd say 250-300 miles for an absolute minimum, maybe as far as 500.
Depends on how many days I have to get to my destination and what I want to see along the way. Last summer my husband and I took a three week, 6,000 road trip and accomplished three goals -- went to states we've never been to, visited friends in five states, and went to three new National Parks.
This past summer we took a 3,500 mile road trip to the Canadian Rockies.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I have no problem driving 800 to 1,000 miles, and it's always more practical as long as gas is still under $3 and at least two people in the car. If just me, I'll usually fly if more than about 500 miles, basically one tank of gas.
What will you use for ground transportation and how long will you be there. How frequently will you travel. Who's expense will the travel be at?
When I used to travel on my job at different times either I was spending too much time driving or flying was running up the cost too much. The flights in question were usually 300 miles. For greater distances it was always fly.
The plus side of flying was that the company paid for the tickets, but I got the frequent flyer miles. We enjoyed the trips to Australia and Europe. As retirees we couldn't afford them now.
Depends on a lot more than miles for me. But in general if it's over 5 hrs to drive and you can get a direct flight it's worth flying. I generally decide by how long it will take for each option and how many people you're traveling with. If it's your entire family and you're going for a week or more a drive may make the most sense. If it's just you for a long weekend not so much.
It depends on the costs, the location of the airports, the terrain and time, the number of people and the amount of luggage/cargo. But in general I would fly from around 300mi when I am alone, without luggage, and the airport is around the corner. If the airport is far away and huge (long waiting times, security, buffer times etc.), I would rather say 500-700mi. It also depends on if I need a car at the destination and otherwise had to rent one.
For instance, I live in Phoenix. I can fly to Las Vegas in under an hour, or I can drive in about 4-4.5. Sure, flying itself is faster but by the time you figure in getting to the airport, parking, security, waiting, possible delays, landing, getting a rental car or other transportation (3-4 hours probably)...I can almost drive in the same amount of time with less hassle...and I can pack what I want and not worry about TSA regulations.
Anything farther I would probably rather fly.
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4-4.5 hours Las Vegas to Phoenix?????? God forbid, I'd never want to drive with you on that trip!
Have driven it too many times, and can never manage to get there any less than 6 hours! How on earth do you do it? You have a high-tech Fuzzbuster?
I've so grown to so hate driving, that if there were a flight from Las Vegas to Laughlin, I'd do it, even if I had to spend 2 hours in the Airports!! 95 miles!!!
When I drive from Vermont down to New Jersey it's about 330 miles, or about six hours portal to portal. What with surface transportation and waiting around at airports, even without any delays, it is very hard to beat that flying.
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