hey guys, i have a speech to give tomorrow debating the pros and cons of driving/flying on trips. this is for a family of four. besides costs and safety, what are some other advantages/disadvantages to driving (since i'm for driving). any help would be great, thanks!!

 

Time can go either way depending on distance and flight schedules. The shorter the trip the more convenient it is to go by car but you simply can't outdrun a plane if it's a flyable distance and the schedules aren't crazy.

Parking is an additional cost for flying that doesn't come into play for driving. However, parking is cheaper than repair costs if there's an accident and wear & tear on the car.

On a plane you can stand up and stretch, get a snack, and use the restroom without stopping. You also don't have to stop to refuel.

 

thanks for the help! anybody else?

 

fuel cost for the car compaired to the plane tickets if its the about the same price fly

 

Flying has become such a hassle, I will only do it if required. I travel constantly on business, a job is usually 3 weeks. Living in Pennsylvania, I find I can get most places I need to be on the east coast in 12 hrs. or less. When I have a job, I get an 8 hr. paid day to travel each way, plus mileage at the IRS rate to and from, plus daily mileage. Driving my XA, I have turned it into a secondary source of income, this spring alone claiming over 3K in mileage. I have paid for my autos over the years doing this,the XA requires little maintenance. Dont want to put up with the TSA idiots at the airport either.

 

airports with slow-**** securities with sticks up their butts vs. cramped car with all the luggage and other people. i'm sure you can tell i don't really like traveling lol

 

When you fly, you may have to get a rent a car when you get to your vacation spot which adds to the cost of flying.

 

you can always rent a car for your trips instead of flying less wear and tear on your personal car(s)

 

Why don't you do your own homework?

 

There's also the added value of a family road trip. Some of the best bonding is done on those long trips. Secondly, I like being reminded of how vast our country really is.

I don't know about you guys, but I like seeing the long country side, the crazy towns you pas through, and the different little quirky stops.

Driving across the country is definitely an experience worthwhile. I've been to S.F., LA, Vegas, phoenix, New Mexico, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, seen the battleship in Alabamba, Tellehasse, Orlando, Miami, and everywhere in between. Was it efficient? Probably not. But it was worth it.

Would I do it over and over again? Probably not.

 

road trip FTW!!! but only if you have the time, money, sense of direction or a good GPS, and enough room to drive everybody.

 

thanks for all the great responses! i was actually on the same page with many of you guys on the cost effectiveness but the way djct_watt worded it, i know how to bring up the family bonding issue up now. my other argument would be the freedom to make side trips or go site seeing on the way to the destination. but again thanks everyone!

 

I've heard from others that the break point is 8 hours. If you can get there by car in 8 hours or less, then drive. If not, then fly. Personally, I'm with draxcaliber , road trip FTW. The TSA schmucks can stick it.

 

Not to write your paper for you, but...

IMO,

The problem with modern American culture is that we live in a society of instant gratification; we are too eager to get what we want instantaneously. We all want movies on demand, information and answers at the push of a button, a quick buck, and instant health and cures.

All to often, we forget that the true value lies not in the destination, but the journey itself. Getting rich is not about the money, it's about the hard work, wisdom, and character you gain getting there. We forget that good health is not about liposuction, Viagra, pills, and surgery, but exercise and eating right. And when it comes to travelling, we just want to get to the destination as quickly as possible.

I know that when I look back at my fondest childhood memories, they were of the journey and not the destination. In fact, I can't recall much at all of when we got to our destination (Disney World), even having spent 3 days there. But not do I have tons of memory from the trip itself. And THAT, is priceless.
Efficiency? Yeah, 8 hours or so... But you can't put a price on all the things you miss on a road trip.

 

set at least 2-4 weeks worth of vacation for all those side trips it'll make it all the worth while

 

There is nothing worse than sitting in an airport looking at your watch and realizing that if you had driven, you'd be there by now and it would have cost you a LOT less. I have had that happen a few times and it sucks. I have come terms with the fact that anything under a 12 hour drive usally isn't worth flying.

 

I love driving and am not afraid to put miles on my cars (which is a con for many). But, my biggest con is the associated rock chips and road wear that can come with long distant driving. Driving also offers option thru the trip. If you see something interesting on the way, you can just pull over and check it out. The road trip is the perfect way to experience local foods and great mom & pop eaterys along your route.

 

Use a scene from National Lampoon's Vacation that's the true family road trip experience.

Some of my best childhood memories were from roadtrips with my family when I was small. The drive, the games, talking, spending time together...now that we're all older and have less time together, it makes it that much more valuable. My wife and I love taking road trips together and will continue to do so even when we have kids. Now you got me all nostalgic

 

I build jet engines for a living, and I always drive. Flying is just too much of a hassle. Delays. Having to take your shoes off and walk through security repeatedly. Getting stuck on the tarmac. Incredibly small seats. The guy in front of you always wants to recline. People with the absolute loudest kids fly. We're living in the digital age, with all kinds of signals travelling through the air, but my non-wireless laptop can cause difficulties? Some idiot always wants the shade in the opposite direction of what you want. Lost luggage. Oh god... lost luggage. Did I mention lost luggage? Round trip from Raleigh to NYC can be had for $129. Not bad for me. Unfortunately my 14 pound dog costs $75 each way. And she doesn't get peanuts. And lastly, terrorists don't have a track record of hijacking xB's.

 

advantages to flying are simly the quickness and the cost effectiveness.
but it DOES suck.

a road trip is for those young at heart. its a way for people to see the world and really get to go out and expierence it. i love road trips! you never know quite what'll happen.