Should we fly or drive to a college visit?

Short answer: Drive if it's under 4 hours one way; fly if it's over 7 hours or requires crossing the Rockies. Between 4 and 7 hours, drive for two colleges, fly for one — the car's flexibility wins only if you're chaining stops.

The 4-hour drive rule covers most in-state and adjacent-state trips (Atlanta to UGA, Chicago to Northwestern, Boston to Williams).

Beyond 7 hours the drive consumes a full day each way; for a single-campus visit that's a poor trade against a $250 flight.