Not an Eastcoaster, but I drive from LA to Eastern Montana once a year. Its a 24 hour drive non-stop. Ide recommend to drive out. Its a long ways but the drive is half the fun if your going with your family and friends. Over the years we have adopted a system that works really well: Three guys to a truck, one drives, the second navigates/talks to the driver, and a third lays down on the back seat and rests, and we alternate every 4 to 6 hours. Really, the time flies and you get to see some beautiful country you normally wouldn't see & each year the drive feels shorter. You can take all the gear you want with you, and return with all of your meat. Trying to fly with guns, ammo, gear, meat and racks seems like a logistical nightmare.