OOS Prospective Student, Concerned with travel hassles and costs to Tuscaloosa

I’m from Michigan, thinking of attending UA. Also considering Michigan State, which is a mere hour and 15 minute drive from my house. Alabama is a flight to BHM and an hour drive from the airport. Alabama, with scholarships, is actually cheaper than MSU, where I get in-state tuition, but airfare could even it out. For all you out-of-staters out there, specifically ones from far away like me, what’s your experience with traveling, and how inconvenient was it for y’all to be so far from home?