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Comment by pseudo0 | Hacker News Reader

Except that NY to Miami route you cited takes 28 to 33 hours... You could do that trip in a single long day driving, plus save money if you're a group of 3+ people. And then you'd have a car at your destination, which is pretty mandatory in most parts of the US.

It might be decent for a solo traveler, but for the stereotypical family road trip to Florida, the car still wins out.

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You're not going to drive 18 hours straight. It would be wildly dangerous for you to try as you will fall asleep at the wheel. Even if you tried it, you're going to have to make stops for gas, bathroom, and to eat, which will push the trip beyond one day. Which means you're going to have to get at least one hotel room along the way (more expense and time). And, you're assuming perfect traffic conditions, which doesn't exist, we all know.

You can go to the bathroom on the train. You can sleep on the train. You can eat on the train. Which means the 28 hours is the total time and the $175 is total price. Avg gas price is 3.37/gal. (https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_gas_price) Avg new car milage is 25 mpg, 52*3.37 is ... $175. Same as the train fare, but that's just the gas.

Taking the car is just dangerous and miserable IMO. Train wins.

My family used to do a very similar distance for summer road trips every year, and we always did it in a single day. Just pack the car the night before, leave early, and swap drivers every few hours when you stop for food or gas. The benefit is that it's way cheaper than five plane tickets or train tickets, and you have an entire car to fill up with stuff.

Like I said the train would probably work better for a solo traveller, but then why not fly? It's crazy to spend 28+ hours on a train when a plane ticket is around the same cost and 2 hours.

>It's crazy to spend 28+ hours on a train when a plane ticket is around the same cost and 2 hours.

That's like saying it's crazy not to fill your salad bowl entirely with cheese :)

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/salad

Besides, we both know it's 2 hours in line just for the TSA check sometimes. I'm very familiar with flying. I've probably logged enough air milage to circle the globe 10 times or more. I despise it. It's nothing like traveling by train. I can board a train in under 5 minutes. I don't even have to have a ticket, I can just decide to go and pay the conductor once I'm on board. Try that on a plane.

Yep done it many times. Even did 24 hours once, with a 3-hour nap in the car at a rest area.

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