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Drive or Fly: Arlington, TX to Dickinson, 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 10m

Distance

285.7 mi

Total Cost

$89

CO2

115 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$54
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

3h 17m

31m in the air

Air Distance

257 mi

Total Cost

$185

CO2

66 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Arlington, TX → DFW 18m
Check-in & Security 90m
Flight 31m
Arrival & Baggage 30m
HOU → Dickinson, TX 28m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $130) $130
Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Arlington, TX DFW — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport 12 mi, ~18m drive
Dickinson, TX HOU — William P. Hobby Airport 19 mi, ~28m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

92.4%

Cancellation

7.6%

+ 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 10m 3h 17m
Total cost (1 person) $89 $185
Carbon footprint 115 kg CO2 66 kg CO2
Flexibility High Low
Luggage Unlimited Restricted
Reliability Weather dependent 92% 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 Jul 20, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest
285.7 mi 5h 10m

via I 45, I 20, South Collins Street

Alternative (+30 min)
302.8 mi 5h 40m

via I 35W, TX 6, US 190; TX 6

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