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Drive or Fly: Alton, TX to Montopolis, TX?

Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.

Driving wins

Medium

Short enough to drive comfortably in a day. Airport overhead makes flying slower door-to-door. Available flights require a connection, adding time and cost.

Passengers:
Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

5h 54m

Distance

301.1 mi

Total Cost

$109

CO2

122 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$74
Hotel (1 room, 0 nights) $0
Meals (1 pax, 1 day) $35
+ No luggage restrictions or TSA lines
+ Comfortable one-day drive
+ Stop anywhere along the route
+ Have your own car at the destination
+ Likely faster door-to-door than flying
− Wear and tear on vehicle
− Fuel price fluctuations
Plan the drive

Fly

Door to Door

2h 57m

33m in the air

Air Distance

276 mi

Total Cost

$186

CO2

70 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Alton, TX → MFE 14m
Check-in & Security 90m
Flight 33m
Arrival & Baggage 30m
AUS → Montopolis, TX 10m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $131) $131
Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Alton, TX MFE — McAllen Miller International Airport 9 mi, ~14m drive
Montopolis, TX AUS — Austin Bergstrom International Airport 4 mi, ~10m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

98.9%

Cancellation

1.2%

+ Saves about 2h 57m compared to driving
+ Less physical fatigue
+ Predictable arrival time
− Airport security and check-in overhead
− May need a rental car at destination
− Luggage fees and restrictions
− Less flexibility for stops along the way

At a Glance

Drive Fly
Door-to-door time 5h 54m 2h 57m
Total cost (1 person) $109 $186
Carbon footprint 122 kg CO2 70 kg CO2
Flexibility High Low
Luggage Unlimited Restricted
Reliability Weather dependent 99% on-time
Drive data: OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices
Flight data: Statistical estimate
Airports: OurAirports
Confidence: Medium — airports identified, fares estimated

Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Oct 23, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest
301.1 mi 5h 53m

via I 69C; US 281, TX 72, TX 80; TX 97

Alternative (+0 min)
314.8 mi 5h 53m

via I 69C; US 281, US 281, I 35

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Alton, TX to Montopolis, TX with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.