Drive or Fly: The Dalles, OR to Grants Pass, OR?

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 32m

Distance

328.5 mi

Total Cost

$97

CO2

133 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

4h 48m

29m in the air

Air Distance

243 mi

Total Cost

$185

CO2

62 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

The Dalles, OR → PDX 103m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 29m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

MFR → Grants Pass, OR 36m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $130) $130

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

The Dalles, OR PDX — Portland International Airport 69 mi, ~103m drive

Grants Pass, OR MFR — Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport 24 mi, ~36m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

95.8%

Cancellation

4.2%

+ 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

At a Glance

	Drive	Fly
Door-to-door time	6h 32m	4h 48m
Total cost (1 person)	$97	$185
Carbon footprint	133 kg CO₂	62 kg CO₂
Flexibility	High	Low
Luggage	Unlimited	Restricted
Reliability	Weather dependent	96% 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 19, 2026.

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from The Dalles, OR to Grants Pass, OR with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.