I have family near asheville and we have always driven for the reasons listed. You'll have your car, can break up the drive, and won't risk flight delays. Depending on the route you take traffic can be an issue but it's not as bad as 95.

I do agree that the last 1.5 hours of the return trip are pretty rough.

Drive

Drive but break it up. Stop at the gardens at Duke University and walk around. You'll want your car in Asheville, and renting is another expense to add to plane tickets

I’d fly but not Allegiant air.

8hrs is way too long for me to be sitting still, plus you will be in the same car with 3 other people?

I much rather walk through airport and have some space from the other couple if I need it

That, and also the drive back is sooo long! How long are you going for?

I’d drive but the drive home is always SO PAINFUL. Just FYI. 😂

Drive. Knowing Allegiant Air, you’ll be lucky if your flight even takes off.

We flew, but the tickets were way cheaper right before the pandemic. Like $119 pp RT. Saved us lots of time and was easy. Long line for rental car at Asheville airport though. I hate road-trips.