[jyl]

Door to door, a flight takes about 3 hours plus flying time. That 3 hours is getting to the airport, checking in an hour before the flight, then waiting for luggage, getting to destination. So up to 4 hours, driving wins out on time alone, versus even the shortest flight. Driving is more tiring, but you have a car at your destination, those kind of cancel out. Cost depends on if it's just me traveling, or the family, and on checked bag fees, taxi fares, etc.

So, for the whole family taking a trip from Portland to SF Bay, we drive the 10 hours. But for just me, flying clearly wins. For Portland to Seattle, driving for 4 hours always wins (or the train).