Should You Drive or Fly to Florida This Year?

If you're planning to head to your second home or rented condo in Florida to wait out the rest of winter, you're certainly not alone. It is nearly impossible to get a true number that distinguishes snowbirds from regular tourists, but by most estimates the amount of snowbirds coming to Florida each year is typically in the very high six figures. The Palm Beach Post estimates that the state absorbs an estimated 900,000 to a million seasonal residents. Other publications say that the Florida population increases more than 5% every year during the winter. Wow! No matter how you look at it, a lot of senior citizens and retirees just like you are headed to Florida for the next few months.

 

With the Coronavirus still dominating every aspect of our lives, you may have wondered if you should skip your annual trip this year. After all, a million people in the high-risk category fitting onto planes and shuffles through the same airports cannot be good for the spread of the disease. In that aspect, you're correct. That doesn't mean you need to give up visiting the area you love and getting away from the snow, though. It simply means you need to drive!

 

Driving in your own car with the other member of your home is significantly less likely to get either one of you sick than flying. It isn't just about avoiding the virus, though. There are other benefits to driving. Instead of rushing to your sunny destination, make the drive part of your vacation. Plan stops along the way that both of you will enjoy. Visit historic and quirky attractions, add in a bit of shopping, and perhaps see a national park or two. There is so much you miss when flying that you never knew existed along the highways and byways of your route down south.

 

When considering travel for more than one person, driving is definitely more economical. A couple traveling from New York to Florida can easily spend upwards of $600 just on the plane tickets, or more. The same trip by car at under $2 per gallon and 25 mpg still totals only $130. That's a big difference! When you use air ride receiver hitches, this number is even lower because your hitch won't pull you backwards.

 

You can also bring a lot more stuff. Unlike fitting everything into a suitcase or two, driving means you can tow a trailer and bring pretty much anything you want. Instead of looking into plane tickets, look into trailer hitch receiver prices! Simply attach air ride receiver hitches to your pickup truck, SUV, or crossover and you're ready to begin your journey with ease.

 

This year, there is a lot to be leary of. You don't want to get sick on the way down and spend your time in Florida sick and quarantined. Of course, something even worse could happen should you catch a virus in the airport. It's a much better idea to drive!