What happens when you take airlines and airports out of the business-travel equation? Life on the road—and by that I mean literally on the road—may actually improve.

I've just returned from a 900-mile roundtrip automobile journey, one of several times in recent years when I have driven or taken Amtrak instead of flying. And the more I do it, the more I like not dealing with the airlines, the wacky pricing, the increasingly inconvenient scheduling, the bureaucratic Kabuki of airport security, and the cramped "regional jets" that the carriers use on half of their domestic runs.

Far from being on the leading edge of this trend, I'm a follower. Although there are no statistics, every bit of anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that more and more frequent flyers are becoming frequent drivers and, where possible, frequent railers. What used to be the business traveler's 200-mile rule—fly on any itinerary longer than that distance—seems to have expanded dramatically.

"Over the last five years, I have adjusted my thinking regarding mode of travel," explains Memphis-based Bill Catlette, the executive coach and author of the Contented Cows series of leadership books. "I've increased the default distance for air travel to 600 miles. Ground transport, for reasonable distances, is less hassle."

Catlette's rationale (more comfort in his own car and lower cost) and concerns (car trips create more pollution per person and driving isn't as safe as flying) are fairly common among business travelers who've decided to drive more and fly less. And the bottom line is a personal one: Only you and your automobile know what's right for you.

But if you've been substituting ground transportation for air travel in recent years—or are thinking about it—allow me to offer some useful observations and practical tips.

Value Your Time, Control Your Schedule

Business travelers became frequent flyers because flying was faster than driving or taking the train. But flying these days simply isn't as efficient as it used to be. When you factor in the drive-time to and from distant airports, the two-hour window travelers now leave to return rental cars and clear security, the time waiting for checked luggage, the increased number of connections required to fly even a short itinerary, the actual flight time, and the inevitable delays, driving stacks up competitively for trips of as long as 500 miles. And driving offers an advantage flying simply can't match: You control your own schedule, travel at your own pace, stop where and if you wish, and leave at your leisure, not at an airline's whim.

The Joy of Packing Heavy

Frequent flyers are masters of traveling light, squeezing the bare essentials into carry-on bags and checking as few bags as possible. But driving allows you to pack heavy and indulge your whims. Have a favorite pillow or a big, plush robe? Take it along. Think you might want to get in a round of golf, a few sets of tennis, or even some kayaking? Pack your gear. Hate the 3-1-1 rule for liquids? Indulge yourself. Throw that 10-ounce tube of toothpaste in your bag! What you carry is limited only by the size of your car and its storage space.