Fly or Drive?

sohappy14 · January 2013

What would u do? We are planning on going to SC in a few months when lo will be just 2. It's about an 11 hour car ride or 1.5 hour flight. Then a 45 minute drive to place. We would drive about 5 hours first day, then spend night at hotel and continue the next day 5 hours. Hoping lo will nap in car both days... He usually falls asleep in car when tired. There r pros and cons to driving and flying. I'm torn what to do. I know driving ill have our stuff car seat, stroller toys but who knows how the nap and being in car that long will go... We've never flown with lo. What do u think? And I'm scared he won't sleep in hotel. But who knows.

TiffanyBerry · January 2013

Absolutely fly.

sucredee · January 2013

fly

MNgirl326 · January 2013

fly. absolutely fly

lynsef · January 2013

I'd fly. We drove 12 hrs to Florida when DD was just over 1 yr old, but DH works nights so we left after dinner and then DD ended up sleeping most of the way. We drove through the night and I slept for a few hrs and then we switched.

Last spring I flew with DD (2.5 yo) and DS (10 mo) by myself to visit my friend and even flying by myself with them it went well. I packed DD's rolling back pack with toys for each of them and portable dvd player, which if you have a tablet of any kind that would be even easier to take along.

We are going to go back to Florida this summer as a family because my friend is having another baby and we want to meet her and we are due for a vacation. We will probably drive through the night again, but haven't decided for sure.

12bailey18 · January 2013

If cost were no issue, I would absolutely fly. We have to drive when we visit family because we can't afford the cost of airfare for all of us but oh, how I would love to fly!

Leap08 · January 2013

If cost isn't an issue, I'd fly. I don't think the drive would be horrible, though. 5 hours a day is really not a big deal. We've done 10+ hour days and both girls have been fine.

dragon_chica · January 2013

Fly. 1.5 hours flying is a breeze. DD is awesome at road trips (longest was probably 6-8 hours) but I would much rather fly.

Linz-E · January 2013

In August we flew from Mass to Charlotte then drove to Greenville and it was a NIGHTMARE. First flight was cancelled, waited until 4 pm for the next flight, (LO had to be woken up at 6). THE STEWARD GAVE MY HUSBAND AND I VODKA NIPS THATS HOW BAD THE FLIGHT WAS. Got to Charlotte and our suitcase was busted open with all our clothes, her blankie, etc strewn about and duct taped together. In september we drove from mass to greenville over 2 days and my daughter was fabulous. She was exellent, watching movies, we had drinks, snacks, I wrapped little toys and books for when she was getting fussy and it was great. With that being said I am flying home with her in May by myself and she will be in a car seat so maybe that will help. Just my experience but with flying theres just so many things you cant control. Good luck!

mrsseguin · January 2013

I would drive.

honeybee111 · January 2013

I would absolutely fly. We fly 1.5 hours all the time to see my parents - DD has been making this trip since she was 6 months(she's 3 now), and she's been fine every time. She either crashes on the plane and naps the whole way, or we entertain her which is very doable for 1.5 hours.

chardonnay24 · January 2013

We drove to Vancouver a few months ago (6 hours away) and it was...not bad. He did okay, but we had planned it at nap and bedtime to try to get him to sleep. Lo and behold, he did not sleep and was whining by the end of the day. Plus a 6 hour drive turned into 9 hours because we had to stop to eat, change diapers, and burn off some energy.

The hotel room part was awful. He didn't sleep the first night (in Seattle, we broke the drive into 2 parts on the way up) because we didn't have a separate room. He was up until about 2 in the morning, woke up at 7, and was so cranky and tired the next day. When we got to Vancouver, we had 2 rooms, but he was scared to be in a room by himself. So we helped him fall asleep, and then wheeled the crib into the other room.

logoz80 · January 2013

We drove to Florida with my daughter twice, when she was 6 months old and again at 17 months old. It's a 20 hour drive. We timed it right and it wasn't that bad. we left at naptime(1pmish) and stopped for dinner, put on pjs and she fell asleep for the night, so she was only awake for 5 hours or so. It's nice to have all your things when you go away

ridesbuttons · January 2013

Drive. Esp. if you will be renting a car while you are at your destination.

LoCarb · January 2013

Fly. Get a red eye if you can and bring an iPad.

mittensonkittens · January 2013

How does he do in the car? What is the longest drive you have attempted? I much prefer flying because even if it's bad, it's over a lot faster. That's a hard age to get them to sit in a seat for long enough to drive. They don't have the attention span to be entertained very long, and all they want to do is get OUT of that seat. My almost-2 year old has a limit of about 1 hour in his seat before he will start screaming. My oldest was much easier at that age, but I'd still choose the flight over the drive with him because it's exhausting to entertain a toddler constantly to try to make them content. And my kids never nap in cars or on planes when I want them to. I try to get flights first thing in the morning so the kids are happiest and when we get there it's time for lunch and a nap (for mommy and daddy too). Neither of mine sleep well in hotels either. But you could survive one night without much sleep.