Otherwise, once two people make the trip, driving becomes a slightly cheaper option.

Regardless, that is a long drive and shows a lot of commitment by both the son and father.

This is a really quick estimate of the costs of driving versus flying.

Option1 – Driving

• Mileage between Starfire and Coeur d’Alene is approximately 315 miles one-way or 630 miles round trip.
• Assume $0.50 a mile as the full cost of vehicle ownership. That would be $157.50 one way or $315 round trip.
• Value of 10 hours (5 hours each way) spent on the road driving?

Option 2 – Flying

• Driving mileage 80 miles round trip between Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Airport. $40 for mileage
• Long term parking at the air port or do they do the drop off and pickup. Either way that is another expense.
• Air Fare on Horizon between SeaTac and Spokane. Right now, if you book enough out in the future, the fares are $90 each way or $180 round trip.
• Time spend traveling. 1 hour driving to airport, 1 hour at the airport, 1 hour flying, 1/2 hour driving from airport to accommodations.
• Value of mileage points earned?

Assuming two people fly, the the price per trip would be $440 for flying vs $315 for driving.