CLEVELAND -- When hitting the road for summer vacations, families have to make the decision whether it makes more sense to drive or to fly.

Many assume that it is more cost-effective to pile into the family car, but as NewsChannel5 consumer specialist Angie Lau reported, that is not always the case.

It's a tradition for the Ross family to head to AAA and then hit the road for summer vacation. For the dollar-conscious family, it's all about driving.

"We took our home with us. So, it was take food with you, we didn't have to worry about a hotel, eating out all the time," said Leslie Ross.

At the airport, other families like the Millers said they'd rather fly, whatever the cost.

"I'd take a second mortgage before I drove to Naples with a 2-year-old, there's no doubt about that," said Ben Miller.

If you're looking for affordable travel, many assume it's cheapest to drive. But as gas prices creep up, is driving really a cost saver?

Jason and Jenna Beirut are flying to Los Angeles, and it's quite the deal at $340 per person.

If they drove, according to the AAA fuel cost calculator, it would cost $465.26 in gas for a round trip.

Add that to 48.5 cents per mile for car use, plus an estimated $600 for hotel and food, for a grand total of $3,315.

The trip would take three to four days, and with hotel, food and car wear-and-tear, the numbers just make sense to fly.

The Barber family is heading to Denver for their trip.

"Especially the distance and two young girls, it would just be more practical flying than driving to Denver," said Marie Barber.

At $300 per ticket, that's $1,200 for the family of four.

If they drove, gas would cost $264.14, plus a mile depreciation of $1,284, equals a total of $1,548, which doesn't even include food and hotels for the 2 and a half-day trip.

Seven-year-old Elisa and 4-year-old Caitlin have already figured it all out: flying is better, according to them, because it's a lot quicker.

"With the kids, I just think you can't beat it. We got a direct flight out, we'll be out there in three hours," said Barber.

At AAA travel, Tom Cowan knows the economics of flying versus driving.

"By just doing the fuel cost, you're going to find (driving) less expensive, but once you factor in insurance, depreciation of your car, it's better to fly than it is to drive," Cowan said.

With the help of AAA, NewsChannel5 crunched the numbers for eight popular cities.

For shorter trips like Baltimore and Chicago, it makes sense to drive for a family of four. But if it's just one or two people traveling, flying is better.

For longer trips like Orlando, Las Vegas or Los Angeles, no matter how many in your group, flying wins, hands down.

But for the Ross family you just can't beat the road -- just ask 7-year-old Spencer.

"You get to see stuff you've never seen before," he said.

• Drive Vs. Fly
• Fuel Cost Calculator
• AAA