Drive or Fly: Midland, TX to Dallas, 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 45m

Distance

330.6 mi

Total Cost

$97

CO2

134 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$62

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 59m

37m in the air

Air Distance

312 mi

Total Cost

$187

CO2

80 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Midland, TX → MAF 12m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 37m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

DAL → Dallas, TX 10m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $132) $132

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Midland, TX MAF — Midland International Air and Space Port 8 mi, ~12m drive

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

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

100.0%

+ Saves about 2h 46m 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 45m	2h 59m
Total cost (1 person)	$97	$187
Carbon footprint	134 kg CO₂	80 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 Midland, TX to Dallas, TX with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.