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Comment by dhosek | Hacker News Reader

I’m planning a trip to the DC area in a couple months and I’m increasingly thinking that it makes sense to rent a car and do the 10–11 hour drive from Chicago rather than fly. It will be cheaper and while I won’t have the freedom to read/write on the trip and I’ll spend more time in transit, I’ll also have the freedom from being crowded into an airport and then a plane. Plus, I’ll be able to visit friends/family along the way.

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10 hours in the car is much better than any flight. You're already half way there with checkin, wait, flight, land, etc. Avoid flying is my motto.

Yeah, I have another trip that’s 8 hours and it was a clear win to drive rather than fly. Since I’d be renting a car in DC, I think this is another case where driving wins.

I don’t like flying but I think this feeling is a little extreme.

Airports really aren’t that crowded at all (other than a couple of pinch points), and just wear a mask and mind your business on the flight and you’re done in a couple of hours. I’ve flown 4 times in the past 3 months and each flight was actually quite pleasant.

I don’t fly anywhere anymore. People are too rude, disruptive and just plain gross. I did a 15 hour drive to Tucson recently in lieu of flying. Ate up two days of our vacation but screw it. No regrets apart from my butt going numb a couple times.

I travel 17 hours by car for the same reasons, plus the freedom of having my car when I'm there. I also often bring things with me, or back with me, that I wouldn't be able to do on a plane (like a kayak).

If you have people to visit along the way, that makes it a no-brainer IMO.

> I won’t have the freedom to read/write

Audiobooks are a must! In 10-11 hours you could easily finish a lengthy book or two. You can usually digitally rent audiobooks from your local library, check out their website!

I wish I could do this. Audio books put me right to sleep.

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