During the last Bears game, my friends and I started discussing a trip to Minneapolis to see the Bears play the Vikings. This spawned a debate over getting there.

Half of us wanted to drive and half wanted to fly. The driving half argued that the time on the road would be fun and relaxing. We could find some interesting places to eat and sights to see along the way.

The flying half argued that it would save time and allow us more time in Minneapolis to hang out and see the city. Minneapolis is a seven-and-a-half hour drive from Chicago, not including any stops for fuel or food. Obviously, by air the trip is a lot quicker.

Count me in with the drivers. I like a road trip. I like finding interesting places to eat along the way (always eschewing fast food franchises). I like the dynamics of six of us in a minivan driving to Minneapolis. That whole experience is a big part of the fun of the trip.

If this was a business trip, a long trip or a solo trip, I would opt for the flight. In those instances, flying makes total sense.

The flight guys agreed to the drive if the drive guys did the trip planning. Now it is up to us to find some good food places and an interesting attraction or two along the way.

If anyone has made this trip and has suggestions, I’d love to hear them. I’d also like to hear your thoughts on driving versus flying on these relatively short trips.

— John Wroblewski, distribution specialist