Are we there yet? #0030

We all love a good road trip, windows down, playlist on, snacks within reach. But when it comes to getting to your cruise port, the big question is: how far is too far to drive?

At first, driving seems like the smart, budget-friendly choice. No airports, no luggage fees, no waiting in line with your shoes half-off. But the real cost of driving can sneak up fast.

💰 What the Numbers Don’t Show

A long drive can look cheaper at first, but once you add up gas, parking, hotels, tolls, food, and a few rounds of “are we there yet?”, you might wonder if you really saved anything.

Example: A 10-hour drive each way means two tanks of gas, one hotel night, and a week of port parking. You’re easily spending $500–$600 before you’ve even stepped on the ship. A quick flight might’ve cost about the same—and you’d arrive rested instead of road-weary.

🕕 The 6-Hour Sweet Spot

Most cruisers agree: around six hours is the happy middle ground.

It’s long enough to justify skipping the flight but short enough that you’re not questioning your life choices halfway there. You can leave in the morning, stop for lunch, and still reach your hotel by dinner.

Once your trip stretches past 7–8 hours, it starts to feel less like a vacation and more like an endurance test, especially with kids, traffic, or construction zones thrown in.

🛏️ Always Arrive the Night Before

Even if you live nearby, never drive to the port the morning of your cruise. It’s risky, traffic jams, flat tires, or GPS detours can easily make you miss the ship.

Book a hotel near the port, sleep in, and start your cruise day calm. Many hotels offer “park & cruise” packages, which can actually save money on long-term parking.

🧭 When Driving Makes Sense

Driving is a solid choice when:

You’re within 4–6 hours of the port.

You’re traveling with a family (airfare adds up fast).

You like having your own vehicle for flexibility or luggage space.

You enjoy the trip itself, stopping along the way, exploring a bit.

If any of those fit, then hit the road and make it part of the fun.

✈️ When Flying Might Be Better

If you’ll be driving more than 8 hours each way, or the route requires an overnight stop, flying usually wins.

It’s faster, often not much more expensive, and saves your energy for actual vacation mode. After all, nobody wants to start a cruise sore from sitting in traffic.

🧳 A Quick Example

Let’s say you live in Buffalo and your cruise sails from Bayonne, NJ, about 7 hours away.

Add up:

Gas: $200 round trip

One night hotel: $180

Port parking: $175

Tolls and snacks: $40

That’s roughly $600. Flights to Newark? Around $250–$300 per person. So unless you’re carpooling with a few people, flying starts to make a lot more sense.

🚦 Pro Tips for Drivers

If you do drive:

Book a park-and-cruise hotel to save on parking and avoid the day-of stress.

Leave early…like way early. You’ll thank yourself later.

Keep essentials handy. Cruise docs, meds, and one outfit in a small bag just in case your luggage is buried in the trunk.

Bring snacks (you know this one’s non-negotiable).

🚢 The Bottom Line

If the drive is short enough that you can arrive before dinner and still feel human, go for it. If it’s long enough that you’ll need a chiropractor by the time you reach the port, it’s probably too far.

A good rule of thumb:

4–6 hours: Doable and often worth it.

7–9 hours: Borderline—depends on cost and energy level.

10+ hours: Just fly. You’ll thank yourself later.

🌴 Final Thought

Getting to the port should feel like the start of your vacation, not a marathon. If you arrive tired, stressed, or cranky, it doesn’t matter how beautiful your stateroom is, it’ll take you a full sea day just to recover.

So whether you fly, drive, or teleport (one day, maybe), choose the option that lets you arrive smiling, not frazzled.

Because the best cruises start before you board.

Until next week,

Tara