Drive or Fly: Dallas, TX to Dilley, 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

6h 8m

Distance

344.8 mi

Total Cost

$100

CO2

139 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$65

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

4h 38m

38m in the air

Air Distance

317 mi

Total Cost

$188

CO2

81 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Dallas, TX → DAL 10m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 38m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

SAT → Dilley, TX 110m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $133) $133

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Dallas, TX DAL — Dallas Love Field 5 mi, ~10m drive

Dilley, TX SAT — San Antonio International Airport 73 mi, ~110m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

98.8%

Cancellation

1.2%

+ 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

Train

Amtrak

Door to Door

11h 48m

10h 8m on rail

Total Cost

$50

CO2

20 kg

Route

Texas Eagle

Door-to-Door Timeline

Dallas, TX → Dallas (DAL) 30m

Boarding 30m

Train ride 608m

Arrival 10m

San Antonio Amtrak Station (SAS) → Dilley, TX 30m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $50) $50

Estimated based on distance. Check amtrak.com for current prices.

Stations

From DAL — Dallas 0 mi, ~30m drive

To SAS — San Antonio Amtrak Station 0 mi, ~30m drive

Service

Direct

Frequency

~4/week

+ Spacious seating with legroom and power outlets

+ Walk around freely during the trip

+ Scenic views along the route

+ No driving fatigue — relax or work en route

+ Much lower carbon footprint than driving or flying

− Limited schedule — about 4 trips per week

− Amtrak delays can be unpredictable

− Need transportation to/from station

− Less flexibility than driving

At a Glance

	Drive	Fly	Train
Door-to-door time	6h 8m	4h 38m	11h 48m
Total cost (1 person)	$100	$188	$50
Carbon footprint	139 kg CO₂	81 kg CO₂	20 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

Transit: Amtrak GTFS — fares estimated

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 Dallas, TX to Dilley, TX with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.