Drive vs fly
For solo travel under 300 miles, driving almost always wins on cost. For families of 3+, driving wins up to about 1,200 miles. Here's how to do the real math for your trip.
Driving cost ≈ (miles × 2) ÷ MPG × gas price + parking. Flying cost ≈ (ticket × passengers) + bags + airport parking + rental car + rideshare. For most US routes the break-even is around 700–900 miles for couples.
Driving wins on cost when: traveling with 3+ people, hauling gear (bikes, ski equipment), needing a vehicle at destination, or going to a city poorly served by airlines. Use the Trip Cost Calculator for an exact estimate.
| Trip | Drive cost (32 MPG) | Fly cost (2 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Miami → Orlando (235 mi) | ~$51 | ~$320 |
| LA → Vegas (270 mi) | ~$58 | ~$380 |
| Dallas → Austin (195 mi) | ~$42 | ~$310 |
| NY → Boston (215 mi) | ~$46 | ~$340 |
| Chicago → Denver (1,000 mi) | ~$216 | ~$520 |
Drive cost: round-trip gas at $3.45/gal. Fly cost: avg ticket + 2 bags + rental + parking.
For solo travelers, ~700 miles. For couples, ~900. For families of 4, often 1,200+ miles.
Yes for trips under 300 miles when you factor 2–3 hours of airport overhead each way.
Use our trip cost calculator with your route distance, MPG and local gas price.
