When planning a domestic trip in the U.S., deciding whether to drive or fly can be a crucial decision for those on a budget. With fuel prices surging due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the assumption that a road trip is always cheaper may not hold true. As of July 24, 2026, the national average fuel price was $4.10 per gallon for regular gasoline, up from $3.16 from the previous year.

Calculating Costs

To determine whether flying or driving is the more affordable option, it’s essential to crunch the numbers. Consider the cost of filling up your car’s gas tank and how many times you’d need to do so for the trip. Then, add estimates for food stops along the way as well as any accommodations you’ll need if it’s a multiday journey. Tools like AAA’s gas cost calculator can help with these calculations.

For example, a hypothetical trip between Chicago and Denver can help illustrate the cost difference. A round-trip flight between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Denver International Airport could cost as little as $293 with United Airlines. In contrast, driving the same distance would require approximately 2,000 miles of fuel, assuming a gas tank capacity of 14 gallons and a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon. With gas costing $4.10 per gallon, the total fuel cost would be around $328.

While flying might be cheaper for solo travelers, driving becomes the more economical option when traveling with a family or group. However, additional costs such as hotel rooms and meals should be factored into the overall expense of driving.

Maximizing Savings

There are ways to mitigate rising costs, whether you choose to drive or fly. Signing up for gas rewards programs and using credit cards that earn bonus points or cash back at gas stations can help save money. Evaluating your points and miles stash can also help cover some or all of your travel party’s flights, especially if your destination or travel dates are flexible.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.