Balik kampung during Raya: fly or drive with 2 young kids?

We always drive because with a car we have freedom to carry all the kids' stuff, stroller, kenduri clothes, and balik gifts without baggage limits. The trick with young kids is timing and mindset. We do overnight drives, kids sleep in their car seats the whole way and we arrive by morning. Prepare a 'busy bag' for each kid, snacks, and download cartoons offline. Also mentally accept the jam will happen, don't fight it. That said, if your kids get carsick or you'll be driving alone, flying is safer and less stressful. For us the cost saving and flexibility of driving wins, but every family is different.

We have 3 kids and drove to Kelantan for years before finally trying to fly, so I can compare. Driving during Raya balik kampung peak is brutal with young kids, the 7-hour drive became 12 hours in the jam and my youngest cried half the way. What made driving bearable: leave at 4-5am so kids sleep through the first few hours, pack lots of snacks and a portable DVD/tablet, and plan R&R stops. But last year we flew AirAsia to Kota Bharu and honestly the extra cost was worth our sanity, 1 hour vs 12. Book flights super early, like 3-4 months ahead, for reasonable Raya fares. With kids under 5, I'd fly if budget allows.