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Drive or Fly: Flagstaff, AZ to El Mirage, AZ?

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

Driving wins

Medium

At this distance, driving is almost always faster and cheaper door-to-door.

Passengers:
Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

2h 35m

Distance

142.9 mi

Total Cost

$70

CO2

58 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$35
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

14m in the air

Air Distance

116 mi

Total Cost

$125

CO2

30 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Flagstaff, AZ → FLG 10m
Check-in & Security 90m
Flight 14m
Arrival & Baggage 30m
PHX → El Mirage, AZ 33m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $125) $125

Airports

Flagstaff, AZ FLG — Flagstaff Pulliam Airport 4 mi, ~10m drive
El Mirage, AZ PHX — Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 22 mi, ~33m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

89.1%

Cancellation

10.9%

+ Less physical fatigue
+ Predictable arrival time
− Airport security and check-in overhead
− Luggage fees and restrictions
− Less flexibility for stops along the way

At a Glance

Drive Fly
Door-to-door time 2h 35m 2h 57m
Total cost (1 person) $70 $125
Carbon footprint 58 kg CO2 30 kg CO2
Flexibility High Low
Luggage Unlimited Restricted
Reliability Weather dependent 89% 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 22, 2026.

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Flagstaff, AZ to El Mirage, AZ with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.