Not gonna bother with the survey, but my travel decisions are based on:
Distance
Cost
Convenience (for me)
Usually, anything farther than a day's drive one way, will result in an airplane ride.
The only real exception to this is if there are no major airports near my final destination, which would result in a long drive anyway after the flight. (example: going to Yellowstone or Mt. Rushmore. Either would require me to either take a short-hot plane to the nearest small city then renting a car, OR, just making the longer drive. Both are about 2-3 days drive for me.
With the high cost of gasoline, Often it's cheaper to fly to my destination and rent a car for the duration. (or nearly as cheap)
I'm fortunate to live within 2 hours of several major airports, so I can get on any of the major airlines easily, and have access to anywhere I want to go.
For me, there's no one single best mode of transport. Too many variables.
(I'm STILL waiting for that dammed genie to build my bridge to Hawaii!) :roll: