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Is it cheaper to fly or drive a Tesla from Menlo Park, CA to Marina del Rey, CA?

Take the Tesla

You keep

$213

In the car

6h 37m

Car is calmer by

64%

Car 20 · Flight 56

363 mi by road

28m to airport1h 45m security & waiting1h 13m flight1h 3m bags & to destination

4h 29m by air, only 1h 13m of it flying. 1 in 5 run late.

How this was priced

Menlo Park, CA to Marina del Rey, CA is 363 mi by road — 6h 37m of driving and 2 Supercharger stops — against 4h 29m door to door by air. Driving is cheaper: taking the Tesla costs $71 against $284 to fly, a saving of $213. On the 0-100 stress scale the drive scores 20 and the flight 56.

Priced with fast charging at $0.50 per kWh and 3.7 miles per kWh, airfare from a $95 base plus $0.13 a mile per person, one $35 bag and a $30 ride at each end. Airfare is modelled from flight distance, not a live fare quote, so treat it as a typical fare rather than today's price. Rates last reviewed 14 September 2026; this trip last priced 16 October 2026.

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Questions about this trip

Is it cheaper to drive a Tesla or fly from Menlo Park, CA to Marina del Rey, CA?

Driving costs about $71 and flying about $284, so driving is cheaper by $213. The drive counts charging and a hotel night if it takes more than a day. The flight counts fares, bags, airport food on long flights and the rides at both ends.

How long does each take, door to door?

The drive is about 6h 37m including 2 Supercharger stops. Flying is about 4h 29m, counting the trip to the airport, security, the flight and getting to your destination.

How many Supercharger stops will I need?

About 2 Supercharger stops for 363 mi, assuming you leave full and charge to roughly 80% at each stop. Real range drops in cold weather, rain and at high speed.

How accurate are these numbers?

They're modelled estimates, not quotes. Airfares change daily, so check a real fare before booking. This trip was last priced 16 October 2026. Every rate and where it comes from is on the Sources page.

More on the Cost page and Sources.