A Week of Parking: $105 at McKinney, Up to $280 at DFW

Daily parking rates look close until you multiply them. Here's what seven days of parking costs at each airport a Collin County traveler is likely to use, using each airport's own published rates for a full 24 hours, times seven.

McKinney National (DTX): $105. One 980-space lot across from the terminal at $15 per 24 hours, with no shuttle. You can't reserve a space, and the first 30 minutes are free.

DFW Terminal parking: $259 with a TollTag, $280 by credit card ($37 and $40 a day since October 1). DFW Express North, uncovered: $140 to $154. Covered Express: $161 to $175. DFW Remote: $98 to $112, the only lot that beats DTX on price, and it comes with a shuttle ride on top of a longer drive.

Dallas Love Field: Garage A, $168. Garage B roof, $126, or $147 covered. Garage C covered, $147.

Two things the totals leave out. DFW advertises up to 50 percent off drive-up rates if you prebook, which can pull its Express and Remote lots well below these numbers; DTX doesn't take reservations, so it has no equivalent. And the drive: from McKinney, DTX is about 12 minutes away, DFW about 45.

The short version: for a week away, DTX costs about the same as DFW's cheapest lot and less than half of DFW's terminal garages, and you walk to the terminal. If Avelo flies where you're going, parking is no longer a reason to drive to DFW.