The weekend of my birthday in July, I plan on traveling to El-Paso to visit my Father's grave at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. He passed away when I was 11 months old while he was on active duty and I havent actually visited his grave during my adulthood, and the weekend of my birthday I think it would be a great tribute. I will also get to visit my grandparents as they are buried there as well.

What I am debating is travel via Air or vehicle, Airfare is running about $200
car rental is around $70

obviously, driving would cost more adding in gas but I would get to see so many things. carlsbad and truth or consq is on my list.

anyone got anything to add as far as traveling between JLN and ELP that would make driving that much more likely?

Consider searching for a thread I started awhile back for on the same topic. It is always a hard decision if you're looking to travel a distance of 5-9 hours, IMHO.

In your case, since you have to rent a car, it is probably cheaper just to fly (unless you want to have a car anyway at your destination).

No one here can tell you what to do. You'll just have to figure out how you value your time and money.

JLN-ELP is what... ~900-1000 miles driving. No question - fly. Do you really want to lose so much of your weekend driving?

Whatever choice, the OP still will need a car in ELP. that changes the cost comparison a wee bit.

I only have this debate in my head when I'm talking 4 to 5 hours drive time. If you want to sightsee along the way, then all means drive--which means you'll be taking far more than the 12-14 hours that it would take anyway. All depends on if you're in the mood for a road trip or not.

Google says that's 939 miles. Even if you drive 90 that's still over ten hours each way.

In my car the airfare and car rental would still be less then just the cost of gas to get there and back.

I vote fly, and spend all that extra time down there.

My personal rule is never drive over 4 hours. However, if you like the idea of a road trip and sightseeing, then by all means. It really depends on your frame of mind and how much time you want to spend at your destination rather than getting there. Regardless, it will be wonderful to visit your father's grave.

I am assessing the fly vs. drive more often now, and cost is not an issue. I am just sick to death of flying and airports - the whole system sucks right now and I am flat out tired of it. I have to go to NC today, a hair over 6 hours total time for me driving. I am doing it and looking forward to it, especially as it also avoids me having to deal with PHL in particular.

I have some Toronto trips coming up, normally a no-brainer fly decision. Now I am seriously considering making the drive (7 hours or so).

Airlines need to wake up tho the fact that some of their super premium fare business is being scared away from the air system. They seem to be compliant with all this TSA madness without making any organized industry (IATA-ish) effort to right things a bit.

[QUOTE=carpboy;7518603]I am assessing the fly vs. drive more often now, and cost is not an issue. I am just sick to death of flying and airports - the whole system sucks right now and I am flat out tired of it. [QUOTE]

You're not alone. Even before things got as crazy as they are now, I've always looked at things like "actual door-to-door journey time", liklihood of delays, "airport/airline aggrivation factor","penalty if trip duration changes", etc. on top of cost factors.

My rule of thumb is "six hours". If I can drive it in six hours, that's what I usually do....regardless of how low the airfare is. MSP is a case in point. I can drive it in just under six hours from where I live. If I drive, its an hour to ORD, 90 minutes there, a little over an hour gate to gate (if no delay), half hour to get out of MSP, and probably a half hour after that to get to wherever my appointment is. That adds up to nearly five hours IF everything goes well.

I'll gladly trade less hassle and more control for an hour or so of my time.

I love car trips, but I wouldn't attempt this in just a weekend. Also, having lived in NM & West Texas for the last 35 years, I'm afraid you're likely to be disappointed in Truth or Consequences. Carlsbad is nice just for the Caverns, and the best way to enjoy them is take a full summer day (great escape from the heat), walk down instead of use the elevators, and stay until after the bat flight at dusk. Last, but not least, is the fact that the area is not really very scenic - rather flat, brown, treeless, full of scrub brush and occasional oil wells (though it's pretty nice around Cloudcroft, especially as you drop down into Alamagordo).

Best of luck, just don't see how you can fit these into a weekend.

For me it comes down to price. I live in Panama City Beach, FL, but goto college 400 miles away in Orlando. I could take one of the two daily non-stop flights on Delta home, but those are not always cheap, and lately are running from $250-400. I would love to take the 1 hour flight over the 6 hour drive, but as it only costs me $80-90 r/t for gas, I have always driven. Now, If the airfare would be $150 or less I would give more consideration for flying, but I dont see that happening any time soon....

Fly there, drive back.

I'd clearly go with flying here, given the distance. Haven't been to ELP in 5 or 6 years, but as I remember it was one of the country's very cheapest places for weekend car rents and hotels.

Interesting, mine used to be three. Even on longer drives there were people who'd argue the time thing, and make perfect sense. The only thing not mentioned in this argument is that when driving you are working. You have to stay alert and attentive. When flying you are just a piece of meat. Want to doze or have a drink or three, no problem.

But as time has passed I find my minimum has increased greatly. Part of it is influenced by my desire to not have to deal with commercial aviation, but also that I enjoy driving more now. I have quiet time where I and my several personalities can discuss things; I have a portable XM radio, I have an MP3 player. It's a lot different now.

I just wonder if the airlines are ever going to 1) acknowledge this and 2) try to do something about it.

Does that you mean since "cost is not an issue", buy a car while he is in El Paso? (Guess he might get a deal from across the border! )

I have been known to drive more than 16 hours to Colorado, but only to know that I will have my own car, and it's 4-wheel capabilities, rather than whatever rental I end up with!

If you don't mind the drive, and have the time... do it -- might see somethings you wouldn't get to otherwise, had you not seized the opportunity!