Long Distance Travel Takes a Toll

Traveling Out of Town

Traveling to Chicago to oversee my parents care monthly can be quite exhausting. Although the flight itself lasts only three hours, the journey entails much more than a direct flight. A discussion follows.

Time Investment.

Here is a typical trip:
---leave home at 8 a.m.
---catch a 10 a.m. flight
---connect two hours later in another city.
---arrive Chicago O'Hare Airport at 4 p.m.
---wait an hour for the shuttle
---take the 1-hour shuttle to Midway Airport
---rent a car and drive home, arriving at 6 p.m.

Total travel time ranges from 9 to 12 hours each way-depending upon whether or not I take a direct flight, and depending upon airport delays.

Financial Investment.

Here are typical travel costs:
---Round-trip airfare averages $250
---round-trip taxi rides to the Miami airport is $50
---round-trip shuttle service from O'Hare Airport to Midway Airport is $30 (I used to pay $80 round-trip to travel from O'Hare to the south side)
---$200 for a five day rental car @$29 a day plus all taxes and fees (extra with daily insurance)

Total cost ranges from $500-$700 for each trip

It is a tall order, physically, mentally, financially, and time wise to travel monthly to Chicago.

It is the right thing to do.