While driving through the Midwest, you probably see signs all the time that read “airport.” The truth is that it’s not difficult to find an airport within an hour of where you are, but, unless you have a private plane, chances are you will never get to travel from most of those airports.

Commercial flights in the United States almost always need to go through major airports. The middle of the country is lucky to have a nice selection of these.

If you are lucky enough to live near one of the big airports, you’ll have many more options for direct flights. If not, you’ll have to fly from one of the smaller airports through a larger one. Or, you can drive a distance to get to a direct flight.

It can be a tough decision whether to drive – from two to four hours – to the big airport or take a second flight from one closer to home. Here are some of the things you should consider when making the decision on which plane ticket to buy:

Weather-Do you really want to drive in the winter when there could be a snow storm? On the other hand, a longer drive might be nice in the spring, summer, or fall.

Cost-Is there really a big difference in price? You don’t want to drive for three hours to save $30 on your flight. It will cost more than that in gas and parking. Some local airports, such as Bloomington-Normal in Illinois, don’t charge for parking.

Timing-Are you in a rush to get to your destination? It might be worth a drive if the flight is going to have you sitting in the connecting airport for four hours and you’ll be late to Grandma’s birthday party.

Convenience-If you are traveling with kids, it might be easier to drive to an airport and take a direct flight to your destination. Also consider just how far your “local” airport is. Will you still have to drive an hour to get there.

It’s a difficult decision and what works for one trip may not be right for another. Also remember that your closest major airport may be in a different state. Or, as is the case with “Cincinnati” airport, not even in the Midwest.

I often fly from Indianapolis Airport even though I live in Illinois because it’s closer to me than Chicago. The only downfall is remembering that it’s an hour earlier there.

Keep your options in mind when considering flying from these major Midwest airports:

Illinois
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666
(800) 832-6352
Official Website

Note: Chicago has another airport, Midway, which is not nearly as big, but does act as a hub for Southwest Airlines.

Indiana
Indianapolis International Airport
7800 Colonel H. Weir Cook Memorial Drive
Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN  46241
(317) 487-7243
Official Website

Iowa
Des Moines International Airport
5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 207
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
(515) 256-5050
Official Website

Michigan
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport
Detroit, MI 48242
(734) 247-7678
Official Website

Minnesota
Minneapolis Saint-Paul International Airport
7150 Humphrey Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55450
(612) 726-5555
Official Website

Missouri
Kansas City International Airport
601 Brasilia Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64153
(816) 243-5237
Official Website

St. Louis Lambert International Airport
10701 Lambert International Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63145
(314) 890-1333
Official Website

Ohio
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
2939 Terminal Drive
Hebron, KY 41048
(859) 767-3151
Official Website

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
5300 Riverside Drive
Cleveland, OH 44135
(216) 265-6000
Official Website

Wisconsin
General Mitchell International Airport Milwaukee
5300 S Howell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 747-5300
Official Website