In the good old days, my rule of thumb was to drive, rather than fly is the distance was 400 miles or less, because the portal to portal time was actually less. Now that distance is greater, because of all the hassle. Flying is definitely not as much fun as it used to be, but sometimes it is the only way. I will be making an annual summer trip to the Black Hills this summer, 1400 miles one way, and I still fly, although the fun is pretty much gone.