Drive or Fly: Austin, TX to Big Spring, 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 42m

Distance

291.3 mi

Total Cost

$90

CO2

118 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$55

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 52m

31m in the air

Air Distance

260 mi

Total Cost

$185

CO2

66 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Austin, TX → AUS 10m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 31m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

MAF → Big Spring, TX 71m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $130) $130

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Austin, TX AUS — Austin Bergstrom International Airport 7 mi, ~10m drive

Big Spring, TX MAF — Midland International Air and Space Port 47 mi, ~71m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

100.0%

+ 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 42m	3h 52m
Total cost (1 person)	$90	$185
Carbon footprint	118 kg CO₂	66 kg CO₂
Flexibility	High	Low
Luggage	Unlimited	Restricted
Reliability	Weather dependent	100% 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.

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