Drive vs Fly Cost Calculator
Example: One-way distance: 700 mi · Round trip?: 1 · Number of travelers: 4 · Vehicle fuel economy: 26 mpg · Gas price per gallon: 3.4 $ · Extra hotel nights while driving: 1 · Road lodging per night: 120 $ · Tolls & parking (driving): 30 $ · Flight per person (one way): 180 $ · Airport transfers / parking: 80 $ · Rental car at destination: 350 $
| Total cost to drive | $333 |
| Total cost to fly | $1,870 |
| Cheaper option saves | $1,537 |
Worked example
Four people, 700 miles each way (1,400 round trip). Driving at 26 mpg burns about 53.8 gallons, roughly $183 in fuel, plus one $120 road-lodging night and $30 in tolls and parking, for about $333. Flying is $180 per person each way times 4 people times 2 directions ($1,440), plus $80 in airport parking and a $350 rental car, for about $1,870. Driving saves this family around $1,537 — the classic result when the group is large.
Frequently asked questions
Why does driving win for families but not solo travelers?
Fuel and road lodging barely change whether one person or four ride in the car, but every plane ticket is a separate cost. So the more travelers you add, the more driving pulls ahead. For a solo trip, flying is often both faster and cheaper.
Should I count the value of my time?
This tool compares out-of-pocket dollars. Driving 700 miles takes many hours each way, so if your time is valuable or vacation days are scarce, flying can be worth a higher price even when driving is cheaper on paper.
What about wear and tear on the car?
For a pure cash comparison the tool uses fuel only. To capture depreciation and maintenance, raise the effective cost by using the IRS standard mileage rate instead of just fuel, which roughly triples the per-mile figure.
Do I always need a rental car when flying?
Not always. In cities with good transit or if you are staying in one walkable area, set the rental car to zero, which can make flying more competitive. Enter only the costs your actual trip requires.