Horizon Currents Holiday Travel Guide

What’s the Best Way to Travel?

We all love to travel, especially around the holidays. Whether it’s a road trip to see family, a flight to a different coast, or a scenic train ride through the mountains, we often default to what we’ve always done. But this season, let’s take a moment to ask: are we choosing the best travel option for our situation?

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being a little more thoughtful. And that can start with understanding how our travel choices affect energy use and emissions.

Understanding “Per Person Mile”

When we talk about energy efficiency here, we’re looking at how much energy is used to move one person over one mile. We’ll call this a per person mile — and it helps us fairly compare options like cars, planes, and trains.

We’re also talking about the fuel types involved. Cars typically use gasoline, diesel, electricity, or a hybrid combo. We’re going to assume you already own your vehicle — so we’re not diving into manufacturing impacts or whether you should upgrade your car just to take a trip.

Planes use jet fuel, a kerosene-based fuel designed specifically for aircraft. It’s efficient at high altitudes but comes with a unique set of emissions impacts. And trains? Most in the U.S. run on diesel, but in some areas electric trains significantly reduce both energy use and emissions.

Why Efficiency Varies by Distance

The total energy a plane, train, or car uses isn’t the only factor. The number of people onboard makes a big difference. If more people share the trip, the per-person energy cost goes down. That’s why flying with 180 passengers can outperform one person in a car — but not always.

The second big factor is distance. We’ll break this down into short, medium, and long trips, because each travel mode has a sweet spot.

Cars: Comfortable and Convenient, But It Depends

Cars are the default choice for most families, and for good reason. They’re flexible, familiar, and give you full control over your trip. For short drives, say 200 miles or less, cars are often the most reasonable option. Even solo, a gas-powered car is relatively efficient at this range.

Diesel cars tend to get more miles per gallon, but they come with higher emissions. Hybrids, on the other hand, perform better on both fronts. And if you’re driving with a full car, your per-person energy use drops significantly.

For longer trips, especially in an EV, charging can become a challenge. You may save energy, but you’ll spend time looking for chargers and waiting. That tradeoff matters.

Trains: A Quiet Win for Medium Trips

Trains don’t get enough credit in the U.S., but they’re surprisingly efficient, especially for medium distances (say, 200–500 miles). Diesel trains already outperform solo driving, and if you’re lucky enough to have access to electric rail, the numbers get even better.

They’re also comfortable. Spacious seats, no traffic, and time to relax. The biggest downside is availability. Trains require infrastructure — and if you’re not in the Northeast, California, or a few other well-connected regions, they may not be practical.

But if a train lines up with your route, it’s one of the most efficient and enjoyable ways to travel.

Planes: Surprisingly Efficient — but Only When They Cruise

For long-distance travel, most of us fly. No one wants to spend three days driving cross-country for a weeklong visit. A five-hour flight makes that possible.

And while planes have a reputation for being inefficient, they’re actually not bad over long distances. That’s because once they reach cruising altitude, they operate very efficient at moving hundreds of people at high speed with relatively consistent fuel use.

But for short flights, the math changes. Planes burn the most fuel during takeoff and landing, and short trips don’t cruise long enough to balance it out. Add airport time, delays, and stress, and it becomes clear why flying isn’t ideal for short hops.

Then there’s emissions. Planes release them high in the atmosphere, where they interact with clouds and ozone in ways that amplify their impact. So even if the fuel use per person looks okay, the climate impact is often worse than it seems.

So, What’s the Right Choice?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice depends on your distance, who’s traveling with you, what options you have access to, and how much flexibility you need.

• Short trips? Carpooling in a hybrid is a solid move if you can swing it.

• Medium trips? If you’ve got access, try the train. It’s a huge win for several reasons.

• Long-distance? Flying is fast and efficient.

A Note from Horizon Currents

At Horizon Currents, we believe energy awareness should be simple, not overwhelming. Our mission is to power a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable world by making energy efficiency accessible, affordable, and easy to act on.

The cleanest energy is the energy we never have to use. And by understanding the little choices — like how we travel — we can take steps toward reducing our impact without giving up what matters.

Thanks for reading, and safe travels this season.