Transportation costs driving summer travelers to convenient, value-filled destinations

Fly or drive? Cost versus convenience? These questions have long been deciding factors for many Americans considering where to go for summer vacation. Rising air fares and soaring gas prices make the questions more compelling than ever this year. Which mode of transportation will yield the most fun and lowest costs for your family?

Gas prices are up more than 40 percent this summer over the same time last year, according to the Federal Energy Information Administration. High transportation costs aren't expected to keep people at home, however; 86 percent of respondents to a TripAdvisor survey said they intended to travel this summer, up from 83 percent last year.

If you're pondering whether flying or driving will be the most cost-effective, enjoyable means of transportation for your summer vacation plans, keep a few points in mind:

* With gas prices in many parts of the country approaching $4 a gallon for unleaded, filling a 14-gallon tank can cost around $50. If your destination is more than a day's drive away, and will require several tanks of gas, your cost savings will be less - and the convenience of flying may not cost much more.

* If you're traveling with just one companion, flying can be cost-effective and quick. If you'll have multiple travel partners (think kids and the family dog) paying to gas up one vehicle will likely be cheaper than buying airfare for everyone.

* Consider a destination where you can rent a car. Resort destinations, like Myrtle Beach, S.C., offer affordable car rentals and many attractions are within walking distance of each other. Myrtle Beach's "Grand Strand" area encompasses sixty miles of beachfront, shopping, restaurants and attractions. And, lower gas prices in South Carolina - where the gas tax is lower than in neighboring states - can help save you money.

Two other factors to consider when deciding on a destination: how accessible it is by either car or plane, and is it a "one-stop" type of destination, meaning it offers something for everyone in your travel party. These concerns are making versatile, easily accessible destinations like Myrtle Beach, S.C. more popular than ever.

Its position around the mid-point of the eastern seaboard makes Myrtle Beach a reasonable drive from most points in the east. And the Myrtle Beach International Airport, serviced by all the major carriers and budget airlines Spirit and Direct Air, makes it easy to reach the city's beaches from anywhere in the country. Family-friendly attractions like the new SkyWheel observation wheel, budget-friendly accommodations and 60 miles of coastline add to the attraction "America's Favorite Beach" has for summer travelers.

"Destinations like Myrtle Beach that are easily reachable by car or plane, and that offer a wide range of activities and accommodations for every budget level are going to be more popular than ever this summer," predicts Brad Dean of the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors bureau. "With competing costs to consider, travelers appreciate the flexibility of a destination that is easy to reach, regardless of how you choose to get there. They are also looking for plentiful, varied attractions and a range of lodging options so they can be sure to get the most value for their money."

With the economy and rising gas prices continuing to add a new layer of challenges to summer travel planning, Americans will have a lot to think about - and plan - when preparing for this year's vacation.