Drive or Fly: Plano, 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 29m

Distance

363.1 mi

Total Cost

$111

CO2

147 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$76

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 52m

40m in the air

Air Distance

335 mi

Total Cost

$188

CO2

85 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Plano, TX → DAL 22m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 40m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

SAT → Dilley, TX 110m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $133) $133

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Plano, TX DAL — Dallas Love Field 15 mi, ~22m drive

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

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

99.5%

Cancellation

0.5%

+ 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

12h 55m

10h 8m on rail

Total Cost

$50

CO2

15 kg

Route

Texas Eagle

Door-to-Door Timeline

Plano, TX → Dallas 27m

Boarding 30m

Train ride 608m

Arrival 10m

San Antonio Amtrak Station → Dilley, TX 100m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $50) $50

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

Stations

From Dallas 18 mi, ~27m drive

To San Antonio Amtrak Station 67 mi, ~100m drive

Service

Direct

Frequency

~4/week

+ Spacious seating with legroom and power outlets

+ Walk around freely during the trip

+ 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 29m	4h 52m	12h 55m
Total cost (1 person)	$111	$188	$50
Carbon footprint	147 kg CO₂	85 kg CO₂	15 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 Jun 3, 2026.

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