WWYD, drive or fly?

We are going up to NY for the holidays this year (we live in FL) and we are debating whether to drive or fly this time. We'd stay for about 10 days.

DD will be a little over 4 months old.

If we drive it would be with DH's parents (we've done the drive with them before) who just got a brand new minivan fully loaded with tv's and everything.

The drive is about 18-20 hrs... we'd stop over and stay in a hotel for the night so it would be 9-ish hours of driving each day. Flight is 2.5 hrs.

We'd save about $500-$700 in airfare if we drove with IL's.

Would a 4 month old be ok in the car for that long? She loves the car now.

If we fly, should we buy DD a seat or just hold her?


I know there are pros and cons to both... but what would you do?

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

At 4 months old, she will sleep for the majority of the ride so I would DEFINITELY drive and save the $$.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

drive. its the easiest age for the drive.

who wants to risk the baby getting sick on the plane during flu season.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

My cousins drive back and forth to FL twice a year for vacation. Right now they have a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old. They have been doing this for years and the kids have always been fine.

They generally try to leave in the early evening when the kids are tired and drive straight through.

If you do decide to fly I would get a seat. We've flown a couple of times since DD was born and we've found it easier for her to have her own seat. Although we did just fly back from CA and the couple across the aisle from us had about a 5-6 month old with no seat and she was fine the whole time.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

drive...without a doubt! Then you can also make sure that you have everything you need with you.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

As long as she likes the car/car rides and has no problems falling asleep in her car seat or anywhere... i'd drive.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

if you are looking to save money, then drive. Your dd will be fine in the car.
it is a great age b.c they will sleep/hang out and play/chew on toys.

personally, i would choose to fly! i rather spend all that time off with family and friends as opposed to shaving off 1-2 days in traveling.
keep in mind your dd might be teething too and you wont be able to just breastfeed while your parents drive. you 'll have to pull over etc...

my dd started teething at 3 months.
if you were to take a plane, not only will you get to your destination faster, you could also comfort her by breastfeeding on the plane in the event she is teething or cranky from the air pressure.



if you were to fly, i would hold her and check the seat.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

i always nursed in moving cars

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

I guess I'm in the minority but I'd definitely fly. A plane ride is only 2 hours from florida. In my situation, I am the one who does not want to sit in a car for that long.

It would be different if you made a lot of stops on the way like stop by DC for a day, then PA, etc. Personally I'd want to get to my destination faster.

Message edited 9/9/2009 2:31:17 PM.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

oh totally forgot you will be flying during flu season!! maybe it is best to drive...

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

We've done both-at that age, they are both pretty easy.

For driving-I would just allow time for a couple road stops to get DD out of the seat, let her cuddle and stretch.

For flying-I wouldn't bother buying a seat only because she will probably want to be held the whole time.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

I'd drive, especially since you have other adults in the car to help you out. We drove to NY from OH when DS was two months old and I just sat next to him and every once and a while took him out to feed him quickly.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

Personally, I would fly.

We flew with DS at 3 months old, and you do not need a seat that young.

BUT I could understand why you guys would drive...saving the money, having extra people, etc, etc.

DH and I drove from Queens to the panhandle once and swore never again

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

If you're looking to save the money & have the time to spare, I'd drive.

Personally, I'd rather get there quicker. 24 hours in a car versus 2 hours on a plane...

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

For me, I rather fly. There in 2hrs and no need to purchase a seat for your DD.
I have done it twice already with my own.

Im not good with LONG car rides.

if you look now, you could find some good deals.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

I would fly to be honest. The drive would be too stressful for me!!

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Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

If I had the extra money (which isn't likely ), I'd probably prefer to fly only because DS HATES the car. He actually got hoarse on the way to Sesame Place from screaming so much & we stopped 3x in 2 hours.

If DC doesn't mind the car, then drive & save the money!

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?

I would fly unless I'm strapped for cash. I've always hated long road trips so 3 hours instead of 20 hours is totally worth it to me. I also have no desire to be in the car that long with a child.

At 4 months, I wouldn't purchase a seat. I would always schedule the flight around naptime or first thing in the morning.

Message edited 9/9/2009 4:03:55 PM.

Re: WWYD, drive or fly?