Fly vs Drive Cost Calculator
Compare the fuel cost of driving with the fares and airport costs of flying for the same trip. It counts money only, not the time each way takes or how tiring the trip feels.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Driving cost is the round trip distance divided by miles per gallon, times the fuel price, for the whole car. Flying cost is the round trip fare plus airport costs, for each person, added up for the group.
A positive difference means driving costs less in money. Hotels, meals, car rental, tolls and the value of your time are not included, so add them if they matter to your trip.
Worked example
Driving 900 mi each way costs $231 in fuel. Flying with 2 people, at $320.00 each plus $60.00 each for the airport, costs $760. The difference is $529.
Questions
Does the drive include parking or tolls?
No. Add tolls and parking to your own total, since they vary a lot by city.
Should I count my time?
This calculator does not. Many people find a flight saves hours, and many find a long drive is worth it. Count the time you would spend.
What counts as airport costs?
The extra you spend getting to and from the airport and at it, such as a ride, parking or bags, for each person.
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