Fly or Drive

welly01

I know it depends a lot on where you're going, etc.  But as a general rule, when you plan a vacation with a toddler, do you prefer to drive or fly?  Flying with a toddler seems like an absolute nightmare to me but a lot of vacation spots are 12+ hours of driving for us.

So do you plan vacations closer to home or just fly and get it over with?

JulesDiane

I would much rather fly. My youngest doesn't do well in the car for long periods of time. I don't really either.

SLGILL1978

We have actually done both since my little one was 5 months old. Last week we decided to fly. My daughter is now 13 months and it was bad at all. On the actual plane she fell asleep and during our layover it was quiet and not a lot of people that I let her be free and walk around for a little bit.
Driving we definitely make a lot more stops. As long as someone is sitting in the back with her the majority of the time she is a good car rider.
I am 35 and my parents are very uncomfortable with the thought of me driving by myself 8 hours to visit my brother or 13 hours to visit my mother. If my husband is able to travel with us we drive, if he's not then we fly.

jnnfrrose6

All of our trips so far have required flying (5 so far I think). Our first road trip is actually next month (6 hours to get to the beach) so we'll see how that goes, but flying really isn't that bad as long as you are prepared.

mb314

Fly - any drive over 6 hours is too long, IMO.  We drive to may parents (4.5 hours away) but fly to DH's parents (9 hours drive away).

ashiscute

This is incredibly vague but I would most likely drive if it's less than 12 hours.  But there are so many factors to consider as far as direct flight, whether you would need to rent a car, etc that it really depends.  I prefer driving because I like to be on my own schedule and not worry about my kids annoying other people.  

rockinmathchic

I think you will have to try it out to see which one will work.  DS has no problem flying but has issues staying in a car seat for any longer than an hour and half or two hours max.  I am sure that some toddlers have problems with flying and could saty in a car seat for hours.

g8trkim

We did 7 hours when DS was a year old which was fine, but for 12 or more hours I think I would fly. We are going to fly with the kids for the first time this summer (they will be 4 and 1 1/2). I'm dreading it but there is not way I'm driving from southwest Florida to NYC!

Jerzee17

We are driving in the being of May to Florida which is 18 hours away from us. Our son just turned a year old this month. To fly would mean we would also need to rent a car for a week and the cost is too high for us. This should be a very interesting vacation.