chicago drivers how much do you estimate it costs to drive down?

[bcarson]

I really really want to fly but with it being over 900 and having to find someone to pick us up both ways. ( were an hour south of Midway) It's not looking good. However, I am wondering how much we will really save. How much do you figure you spend with gas, at aleast 2 nights lodging (one there, one back), and food. I am probably forgetting something. I know we would have to get some maintenance done on the car as well.

Anyone think the price might go down between now and then. Were talking Nov. The flight down is awesome, it's the flight back that kills me.

 

[dantedisney]

You can use the following site to estimate how much gas you will use:
http://fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com/

 

[hearts8701]

the gas calculator is a great help with gas prices we drive down a few times every year the cost depends on your needs we prefer to keep going making gas stops our bathroom breaks or rest stops taking easy exits just off the road we eat at drive thru restaurants like McDonalds we stop for the night just passed Atlanta there are plently of motel 8 or travellodge motels close to the exits if you are looking for a budget motel we have a sun pass you can purchase one online or at the welcome center for florida tolls
we o'course change our oil have tires checked etc before we leave the down side of driving is the first day in disney world is rough we arrive tired so we spend the first day relaxing at the pool going to bed early and starting fresh the next day ready to go

 

[jkennedy626]

Have you considered Allegiant Air? We are flying out of Gary in a couple weeks. For our family of four, flights were outrageous. They have gone down a bit, but still not what we would like it at. Our roundtrip/nonstop flight was $486 total with taxes. I added 2 checked bags and that brought it up a bit more. If you park at Gary, it's $7/day. I've read mixed reviews about them, but we only have 7 days vacation. Driving would eat that up as well as gas (minivan) and lodging. If we do have a delay, I'm willing to accept it knowing I won't be in a car for 2 days. We also planned on renting a car if we flew and I got a great deal on that and we're still saving money.

 

[bcarson]

Checked it but what do u do about flying into Sanford? Seems like that negates savings. With my dates Rockford is better and free parking . But its still 700 something.

 

[Shagley]

Have you checked Frontier airlines out of Bloomington? It would probably be a couple of hours away from you, but the parking is free and Frontier flies into MCO.

 

[bcarson]

I checked Bloomington as well, frontier was 1100. I am hoping that airtran will go down in Chicago. Right now they are $914. What I really want to do is fly out of Indy. Because my family lives there. They could drop us off and pick us up. We are coming back right before thanksgiving. We woulr already be there. However, Indy is higher then Chicago.

If I can get cheaper then $800 out of Chicago. I will beg a ride from someone. lol

 

[loricdietzel]

I think it costs us about $750 to drive round trip from Central Illinois with hotels and food. We don't stay in expensive hotels, though. For us (2 adults and 2 kids) that is a HUGE savings over airline tickets! No way we are finding plane tickets for $200 round trip with fees and baggage and parking and such!

 

[bcarson]

we flew in 2005 and 7 and were completely spoiled. It was like under $500 one time and under $600 the other time. One of those times was even out of Indy. My how times have changed. lol

 

[Gr8t Fan]

It costs us $450-$500 to drive from Chicago. We drive straight through and stop only for gas, bathroom breaks and an occasional fast food meal. We pack snacks, mostly fresh fruit and water, and generally make it to FL in about 20-22 hours. There are 6 of us though, so it will always be less expensive to drive than to fly and rent a van. If we could narrow the total difference (flight + van rental) down to $300-$400, we'd fly, but that has only happened 1x when we flew AirTran out of Bloomington in 2007. We always check fares, but usually end up driving. Our kids are troopers though and they have plenty of in-van entertainment to keep them occupied.

 

[HWKI2]

Gas cost us about $575 roundtrip from central IL over Spring Break. We have a 2004 Chevy Venture if that helps.