10 Reasons Air Travel Beats Road Trips

Considering driving instead of flying? What was I thinking? We just returned from a short road trip that I didn't even realize was a real road trip until we were deep into it. We were headed to a close friend's wedding, which didn’t seem far on paper, but it turned into a five-hour drive one way due to traffic and bathroom breaks—less than an hour by air. I believed driving would be more cost-effective and convenient for such a short distance, but now I’m questioning that decision.

There’s a nostalgic charm to road trips reminiscent of the Route 66 era, but for my family, flying is undeniably superior to road trips today.

Road trips can be more expensive than you realize:

Unless you're using airline miles, the upfront cost of plane tickets can be quite painful. This is often why people opt to drive. However, the expenses of a road trip accumulate quickly, often unnoticed, and they're not as cheap as one might assume. Gas prices were over $0 a gallon on this trip, and we refueled the truck at least twice, adding up to nearly $160 in fuel alone. Factor in vehicle wear and tear, tolls, and snacks, and the total is much higher than expected—especially on longer journeys that require hotel stays and extra meals due to prolonged travel time.

You often consume unhealthy meals:

Airports aren’t typically celebrated for their healthy food options, but you can often find reasonably healthy choices like sushi, salads, and fresh juices in most terminals. However, when traveling on the highway, such options are rare, and if they exist, they usually lack the quick service that families tend to look for. This led us to frequent fast food chains that we generally avoid at home.

You damage your clothes:

I won’t name names, but I know someone who managed to get greasy food from the aforementioned fast food places on his clothes not once, but two times in a row. Eating in the car can be messy for various reasons, but it’s common during road trips. At least on a plane, you have a tray table to help catch spills.

Feeling Cramped:

We chose vehicles meant for hauling and city driving, not for long journeys. Our options for the road trip were a spacious but gas-guzzling truck or a tight sedan. With our furry friend along, the sedan was out of the question, so we went for the larger truck. Still, it’s not the most comfortable choice for hours on the road; unlike planes where you can stretch or use the restroom freely, the truck feels confining after a while.

Determined to Keep Going:

As noted in the Cars film, "people don’t drive just to hurry; they drive to enjoy themselves." While that might hold true for some, I can assure you our goal isn’t to soak in the views of Nowheresville, Texas, with a restless child and an elderly dog. We’re focused on reaching our destination, which translates to fewer stops, drive-thrus, cramped legs, and frayed tempers.

Not much to admire:

There are stunning drives across parts of the country; missing the route from Vancouver to Whistler, Anchorage to Seward, the California coast, or the Rocky Mountains would be a mistake. However, much of the nation isn't visually appealing, especially along highways. Expect to see power lines, traffic snarls, fast food joints, strip malls, pharmacies, and vacant office spaces. Trust me, large swathes of Texas look like this, and you’re better off taking in the view from 36,000 feet.

Time is better spent in the skies:

Air travel not only often reduces overall travel time, but it also allows for more productive use of that time compared to being in a car. For instance, you can't nap while driving, and even as a passenger, it’s challenging to get work done on the road. In the air, you can catch some sleep, type away, and even access the internet on many flights. This means you won’t have to stress as much about catching up when you return home.

Driving can be downright terrifying:

Statistics clearly show that driving is riskier than flying, and I’ve lost count of the number of spontaneous drag races, people glued to their phones, and cars weaving erratically during our trip. Thankfully, none of these incidents ended in a crash, but I found myself gripping the steering wheel more than once, as navigating busy highways can be quite nerve-wracking.

It can become quite bothersome:

I know it sounds bad, but let's be honest: spending hours cramped in a car with family can be frustrating. I can vividly recall arguing with my sister during long car rides as a kid, and even now, the question "how much longer?" can wear down anyone's patience. Sure, planes can have their own issues, but the presence of strangers often keeps behavior in check better than in the privacy of your own vehicle. I cherish family time on trips, but I'd prefer to spend more time enjoying our destination rather than being cooped up in a car for hours.

Driving feels like it takes ages:

I fondly remember our family ski trips to Colorado, where we'd drive through the night, finally catching a glimpse of the mountains as dawn broke. It was magical, but as a kid, I slept through the tedious night drive. Now that I'm an adult, I realize it takes about 16 hours of driving to reach many Colorado ski resorts—yikes! Meanwhile, a flight only takes about 2.5 hours. Even on today's short road trip, we spent 4-5 hours in the car compared to under an hour in the air. Sure, you have to factor in airport time, but driving at 70 MPH just can't compare to flying at 500 MPH.

We had a proper road trip planned for later this summer, but I found myself exploring flight options during our drive today. The trip wasn’t bad, but it reinforced my preference for soaring through the skies over getting stuck in traffic. I still dream of a grand family road trip where we take time to appreciate the scenery, but if driving is just about saving money or simplifying travel, it’s worth closely examining the true costs of both options. For us, flying usually wins, especially with miles to spare!

How does your family choose between driving and flying, and have you ever regretted your choice?