When its time to travel, whats your preferred method?
For some, theres nothing like a goodroad trip.
For others, flying the friendly skies is a better option.
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Road Trip vs.
Flying: Whats Right For You?
Road Trip Cost Considerations
Choosing between a road trip vs. flying often comes down to preference.
Do you enjoy driving?
But preferences aside, driving will often be the cheapest way to go.
Here are some ballpark costs to factor into your planning process.
Gas prices peaked this summer, but have been decreasing in some areas toward the end of the year.
Right now, the average cost is $3.10 a gallon.
you might calculate the average cost of fuel by determining how much gas youll need to make the trip.
Say your vehicle meets theU.S.
average fuel economyof 25 miles per gallon.
it’s possible for you to use this handyGas Buddy calculatorfor a more exact figure.
Youll have to eat no matter which way you go.
Road trips take longer, so you might be eating more meals away from home.
But you might have more choices, including fast food or fast casual restaurants.
In this area, meals and snacks can actually be cheaper.
That means youll need a hotel stay to break up your drive.
If you drive round-trip, that means two hotel stays.
This is where driving solo sometimes makes less sense than flying.
Gas, food and lodging arent the only considerations.
Before you leave on a long trip, youll likely need to have your vehicle checked out.
Dont forget the overall wear on your vehicle that driving will cause.
Renting a car is another option, but can be expensive as well.
Driving also comes with a few other extra costs.
First, theres your drive time.
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Flying is considerably safer than driving, according toUS Facts.
Still, flying makes more financial sense in some cases.
Here are some costs to consider as youre planning and considering a road trip vs. flying.
Those traveling solo may find flying beats driving, even if you cant snag a good deal on tickets.
But as you add family members, plane tickets get pricier, making flying a less attractive option.
If you havent settled on a specific vacation destination, it might beworth exploringless popular or well-known places.
Sometimes you might find deals (including last-minute ones) through apps and websites likeHopper,Going,SkyscannerandMomondo.
Dont forget the extra fees youll pay when you arrive at the airport.
Chances are you dont live next door to your local airport.
That means youll need to deal with getting there.
Ideally, you have a family member or neighbor who can drive you.
you might also consider calling for a rideshare or looking at your local bus schedule.
This is where things can get pricier when deciding on a road trip vs. flying.
If your flight is delayed, you may have achance at a refund, but not always.
If youre flying, consider your departure, layover and arrival airport locations, travel preparedness expertCheryl Nelsonsaid.
What is the weather typically like this time of the year in each location?
If flights are delayed or canceled due to weather, airlines are not responsible for your unexpected accommodation costs.
Once the plane lands at your destination, youll need a way to get around.
Plan Your Dates
Whether youre going by plane or car, choosing the right dates is essential.
When flying, you could reduce delay risks and save money by avoiding heavy travel days.
If you havent booked your flight yet, Potter recommends using a site likeGoogle Flights.
Make the Most of It
Half the fun of traveling is planning the trip.
If you are driving, see what interesting places pop up along the way.
it’s possible for you to use sites likeTrippyorWanderlog, which show you cool places along your route.
If youre flying, you might like the peace of mind it gives you.
Travel insurance helps cover the cost if your trip has to be canceled.
But travel insurance isnt cheap.
Its important to pay close attention to what it covers, as well as what it doesnt.
The process of getting reimbursed for eligible purchases can also be fairly lengthy and involved.
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Road Trip vs.
Flying: Whats Best For You?
The choice to fly or drive this holiday season likely will come down to personal preferences.
But the cost of gas and vehicular wear often shake out cheaper than flying, especially for shorter distances.
Stephanie Faris is a professional finance writer with more than a decade of experience.
JoEllen Schilke contributed to this report.
