Rising Costs Force Connecticut Travelers to Rethink Spring Plans

Families weigh flying versus driving as airfare and gas prices surge ahead of peak travel season.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring sweeping gradients and towering architectural forms that evoke the grand scale and romance of travel, without any literal depictions of people or text.As the cost of airfare and gas prices soar, Connecticut travelers face tough choices in planning their spring getaways.Hartford Today

As rising airfare and gas costs escalate travel expenses, families in Connecticut are facing tough choices for their spring getaways, weighing the costs of flying versus driving to their destinations. With jet fuel prices doubling in the past month and gas prices also on the rise, travelers are doing the math to figure out the best deal, though other factors like the number of people traveling and hotel stays can also influence the decision.

Why it matters

The surge in travel costs is forcing many Connecticut families to reconsider their spring break and vacation plans, potentially impacting local tourism and the broader travel industry. This story highlights the economic pressures facing consumers as inflation takes a toll on discretionary spending.

The details

Travelers like the Ericson-Monk family, who are heading to Disney World for spring break, say they've seen airfare prices nearly double compared to what they usually pay. Meanwhile, rising gas prices have also made driving a less appealing option, with one traveler noting his gas costs have jumped from around $30 to $45 to fill up. However, a comparison of airfare and gas costs for a trip from Hartford to Orlando shows driving may still be the cheaper option, though other expenses like hotel stays can tip the scales.

  • Jet fuel prices have doubled in the past month.
  • The cheapest nonstop round-trip flight from Hartford to Orlando in May is about $156 per person.
  • The average cost of gas for a round-trip drive from Hartford to Orlando is about $280.

The players

Kendra Ericson

A traveler who is heading to Disney World for spring break.

David Monk

A member of the Ericson-Monk family who is traveling to Disney World for spring break.

Ben Beaz

A traveler who is reconsidering whether driving may be the cheaper option compared to flying.

Victoria Anderson

A Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News who reported on this story.

Hopper

An economic research team at the travel booking site that predicts a 10% increase in domestic airfare.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, we didn't book it fast enough, and then we saw the prices continuing to rise.”

— Kendra Ericson, Traveler

“It was almost twice as much as we usually pay.”

— David Monk, Traveler

“I went to fill up the tank [and] it went from like $30-45.”

— Ben Beaz, Traveler

What’s next

Economists will continue to monitor the impact of rising travel costs on consumer behavior and the broader tourism industry in the coming months as the peak summer travel season approaches.

The takeaway

The surge in airfare and gas prices is forcing many Connecticut families to carefully weigh the costs of flying versus driving for their spring getaways, highlighting the economic pressures facing consumers as inflation takes a toll on discretionary spending. This story underscores the need for travelers to plan ahead and budget accordingly as the travel industry navigates these challenging market conditions.