For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[cemeb4dk]

Here in the western burbs of Chicago, we have been hovering in the 2.85 to just under $3 a gallon. A few weeks ago it was 2.67 or so. We leave in 2 weeks I hope it drops a bit or at least it gets cheaper as we head south.

 

[BC1836]

So much for our earlier comment.
Prices have topped the $2.50 mark.
Best we've seen around here is $2.53.

All the best.

Correction of a correction: Gas is still under $2.50 in Ocean County, NJ. We filled up at Hess, Rt. 37 in Toms River last night for $2.49 a gallon, regular.

All the best.

 

[blondietink]

Anybody been on Interstate southbound south of Harrisburg, PA lately? We will be going that way next Saturday and when we did this in August, it was crazy with construction. Actually the construction wasn't that bad as they still had 2 lanes of traffic in each direction, but it was the drivers that were crazy. Would appreciate any updated info. Also southbound I-95 out of Washington, DC .... that wasn't too bad in August and we are just going to get off at Lorton, VA.

 

[pwdebbie]

Anybody been on Interstate southbound south of Harrisburg, PA lately? We will be going that way next Saturday and when we did this in August, it was crazy with construction. Actually the construction wasn't that bad as they still had 2 lanes of traffic in each direction, but it was the drivers that were crazy. Would appreciate any updated info. Also southbound I-95 out of Washington, DC .... that wasn't too bad in August and we are just going to get off at Lorton, VA.

I live near Chambersburg and I can tell you there is still a lot of construction in that area. We got on 81S last week from Rt. 997 (Exit 20), which would be the northernmost Chambersburg exit and let me tell you, we decided to not use 81 again until the work is done. My daughter told us she was terrified when she drove on it last week with her four kids and she says she will not be getting on it again for a long time. There are barriers up, lanes are narrowed, trucks are abundant and no one is slowing down. It is white-knuckle all the way. Sorry, I know this isn't what you want to hear.

 

[BC1836]

Correction of a correction: Gas is still under $2.50 in Ocean County, NJ. We filled up at Hess, Rt. 37 in Toms River last night for $2.49 a gallon, regular.

All the best.

That aforementioned gas station jacked up its price to $2.55 overnight!


All the best.

 

[Tina]

I've done this drive many times now and I'm just baffled by the concern over penny gas price increases. If gas goes up 5 cents during your trip, is it really going to make that much of a difference overall? I fill up approx 3 times in each direction. A 5 cent increase in an 18 gallon tank is 90 cents.

 

[crzy4dsny]

I've done this drive many times now and I'm just baffled by the concern over penny gas price increases. If gas goes up 5 cents during your trip, is it really going to make that much of a difference overall? I fill up approx 3 times in each direction. A 5 cent increase in an 18 gallon tank is 90 cents.

What really stunk was when we had driven to Disney and were there when Hurricane katrina hit. I left my house and paid $1.78 for a gallon of gas. I was watching the news and seeing gas prices that were $5 and $6 a gallon for our trip back to New York. It didn't turn out that bad, I think the most we paid was $3.79.

 

[Tina]

What really stunk was when we had driven to Disney and were there when Hurricane katrina hit. I left my house and paid $1.78 for a gallon of gas. I was watching the news and seeing gas prices that were $5 and $6 a gallon for our trip back to New York. It didn't turn out that bad, I think the most we paid was $3.79.

Well that I can definitely understand! But the penny fluctuations, not so much. I just got home from a trip less than 2 weeks ago and I can't even remember what I paid for gas, but I know if was never radically different that what I pay at home.

 

[nytimez]

I've done this drive many times now and I'm just baffled by the concern over penny gas price increases. If gas goes up 5 cents during your trip, is it really going to make that much of a difference overall? I fill up approx 3 times in each direction. A 5 cent increase in an 18 gallon tank is 90 cents.

I barely even look at the prices. Sure, I notice when they're going up or down and what range they're in, but it's nothing I obsess over. They certainly don't impact my trip one way or another, and it's probably one of the smallest expenses of the trip.

 

[cruisingkat]

Here in the western burbs of Chicago, we have been hovering in the 2.85 to just under $3 a gallon. A few weeks ago it was 2.67 or so. We leave in 2 weeks I hope it drops a bit or at least it gets cheaper as we head south.

We were really suprised when we drove down from the Chicago burbs just a little over a week ago. Gas was anywhere from 2.84 to 2.99 in the western burbs - got down to Southern IL (we take 57 south to 24) and found gas at 2.59.
I wonder if the sharp rise in prices in the Chicago area was due to news about the oil leak in Romeoville. It seemed like they spiked right after the leak was discovered as prices rose over 10 cent per gallon overnight.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Well that I can definitely understand! But the penny fluctuations, not so much. I just got home from a trip less than 2 weeks ago and I can't even remember what I paid for gas, but I know if was never radically different that what I pay at home.

I agree. Even 30 cents, whats it going to cost $5 more a fill up?

 

[BC1836]

I agree. Even 30 cents, whats it going to cost $5 more a fill up?

Five bucks? That's about the price of two Mickey Premium Bars or about 1/17 of a typical V&A tip. It all depends how one views the value of a dollar.

No matter what the price at the pump, our short-term countdown has begun.

All the best.

 

[MamaJessie]

I've done this drive many times now and I'm just baffled by the concern over penny gas price increases. If gas goes up 5 cents during your trip, is it really going to make that much of a difference overall? I fill up approx 3 times in each direction. A 5 cent increase in an 18 gallon tank is 90 cents.

I admit sometimes I get a little crazy like that. Then I read someone post what their airfare is Ya hoo for driving.

 

[pwdebbie]

I'm working on my TripTik. My plan is stop somewhere in the Florence, SC, area on Sunday, Oct. 31. Our two previous road trips were on 81-77-26-95. This time we are going the same way we would from home to Williamsburg, 15-270-495-95. So, first time taking 95 all the way from the DC area.

I-95 construction question -- The map is showing construction on 95 (not that I'm surprised). We will be going as far as Florence, SC, on Sunday, Oct. 31, so I don't anticipate a problem. Wondering how things will be on Monday, Nov. 1 on I-95. Coming back we will be leaving POFQ by 8:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Is I-95 construction going to be an issue going home? Would we be better going 95-26-77-81 etc. for the trip home?

Hotels in Florence area question -- Ok, please tell me what hotels to avoid (if there are any) and which ones you have used that you were satisfied with. I'm probably going to book a room before we leave just to make sure we have one (haven't done that in the past). If you can suggest a lower-priced one that includes breakfast, that would be great!

Thanks!

 

[dvczerfs]

Five bucks? That's about the price of two Mickey Premium Bars or about 1/17 of a typical V&A tip. It all depends how one views the value of a dollar.

No matter what the price at the pump, our short-term countdown has begun.

All the best.

mm icecream sand. thanks bc, now you made me hungry for one.

 

[BC1836]

mm icecream sand. thanks bc, now you made me hungry for one.

Ah, a post from the distinguished dvczerfs, who holds the record for most 2,000+ mile round-trip drives to WDW: 48!

[See page 39, post #578 for all the driving records.]

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

Ah, a post from the distinguished dvczerfs, who holds the record for most 2,000+ mile round-trip drives to WDW: 48!

[See page 39, post #578 for all the driving records.]

All the best.

i made my new trip count down ticker. like it?

 

[BC1836]

i made my new trip count down ticker. like it?

Impressive. That countdown ticker indicates future trips #49 through #53. The 2011 trip seems far enough away, let along the drives for 2012, 2013, and 22014. I can almost see your "in the year twenty five twenty-five" ticker!

We've got a lot of catching up to do.

All the best.

 

[rak5701]

What type of things do you have checked/replaced before your long trips? Do you just take it to the mechanic and let them know you are going on a long trp and have them do a thorough check???

 

[cemeb4dk]

I always do an oil change before we go, also just go over everything. I try to keep up with the car all the time so it runs smoothly all the time.

But if you don't I would change oil, check air filter, make sure tires are fully inflated and have life left. Then just the basics, brakes, hoses, and belt(s). Only you know how old your car is and how many miles and if there are any problems.