How far are you moving?
Are you moving to another part of the state or across the country? The farther the move, the more flying makes sense. After all, if the move is hundreds of miles away, you may not have the time, energy or desire to drive on the highway for hours and days at a time. Of course, if you’re up for a long road trip, then driving is a great way to see different parts of the country. Just be sure to also budget for gas expenses, map out the trip and plan for overnight accommodations while on the road.

How many belongings do you need to bring with you?
How much are you moving? If all of your belongings fit inside a car or truck rental, then it might make sense to drive yourself to the new home. On other hand, if you need assistance with moving and transporting belongings, then you might as well let professionals drive your household items to the new home, which (obviously) frees you up to fly to the destination. Of course, when flying, you’ll only be able to bring several suitcases and carry-on bags with you, so be sure to plan and pack an essential moving bag ahead of time.

Are your old and new homes near an airport?
The distance to and from an airport is an important consideration when deciding whether to fly or drive for a long distance move. If the original location and destination are nowhere near a major airport, then it’s probably easier to drive to the new home rather than pay big bucks for an airplane ticket. After all, you’ll only be driving long hours to and from an airport, anyway. Of course, if the new home is located near an airport, and the flights are fairly convenient, then we strongly recommend saving yourself the hassle of driving.

How much time do you have to move?
Are you moving and starting a job the next day? Or do you have all the time in the world to complete the move? Typically, the fastest way to get to your destination when moving long distance is to fly – not drive. So if you’re on a tight moving timeline, we recommend opting to fly. On the other hand, if you have a flexible moving timeline and are looking to save money, then driving is the sensible choice. When driving, you also have more control over the moving schedule and won’t have to depend on an airline’s flight times to plan your move. You also won’t have to deal with unexpected flight delays and missed connections. Driving allows you to move on your timeline at your own pace.

Do you have to move a car?
Need to move your car to the new location? If so, you’ll likely want to consider driving to the new home. Not only will this save you money from having to hire a shipping company, but it will also allow you to keep the car with you at all times throughout the move. Of course, if you prefer to fly, you can always hire a professional auto transporter to move the car for you. To ship a vehicle, auto transporters will place the car on either an open-air trailer or an enclosed truck and deliver it to the destination – typically within a week or two.

Are you traveling by yourself?
Not everyone likes to drive for long hours in a car by themselves. If the long distance drive is going to take several days, you may want to consider flying to the destination. If you do decide to drive long distance by yourself, be sure you’re well equipped with snacks, water and entertainment to keep you awake (think: podcasts and music).

Can you afford to fly?
Does purchasing an airplane ticket fit into your moving budget? It’s no secret that flying is expensive – especially when flying during a holiday or busy travel day. In fact, flights can cost hundreds (if not thousands!) of dollars during particularly busy times. In addition to ticket prices, you should also factor in other flight expenses such as baggage fees, pet fees (if moving with a pet) and meals while traveling. Unfortunately, these expenses add up – making flying an expensive way to move. Those on a tight budget or looking to save money should consider driving to the destination. Of course, those driving may also have to factor in other expenses such as gas and lodging. Whichever method of transportation you choose to take, make sure to fully evaluate the moving costs involved.

Bottomline: Ultimately, the decision between flying or driving for your long distance move comes down to your budget, timeline and personal preferences.