For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers only!

[mookie]

If someone has any hotel info at about just before they hit 95 to stay for the night (preferably a Marriott property) that would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

FYI - Look carefully at Marriott...you might even want to call. Not all of their hotels showed up for GA when I plugged in our trip (we are driving also!) and if I hadn't done some digging we might not have found the hotel we wanted to use with our points.

 

[pilferk]

Horror stories aside, flying is soooo much more convenient, safer and economical. You can’t just look at the price of gas when calculating cost. Wear and tear on your minivan and on your body as well as the cost of your time has to be considered along with the tangible cost of hotels, food, gas, etc…

Keep in mind, I"m not trying to be contentious on this...I just want to show you why it makes "sense" to some people.

We drive for roughly 1/2 (sometimes, depending on air fares at the time, 1/3) what it would cost us to fly. That includes gas, hotel, and food. That's for 5 of us. This time, the cheapest air fare I could find has been hovering just over $1200 for the 5 of us, with cruddy departure times and layovers. We'll drive, assuming current gas prices, for around $350 round trip. Hotels will be another $150 (that's one on the way down AND one on the way back, totaled), and food will be another $75 (breakfast is included at both hotels, we're bringing dinner with us the first night down and the first night back, so we're only on the hook one lunch, each way). That's $575, total.

I DO get paid to do the drive, actually, as I'm taking vacation time and we're driving on "work days". I MIGHT save one vacation day by flying, rather than driving (depending on flight times, prices, etc).

I'm not sure how to quantify wear and tear on the vehicle. Maybe 8 cents a mile?

On my body? I do 2 hours of round trip commute every day to work. I actually LIKE to drive and find it sort of relaxing...scary, I know.

Taking ALL that into account, I still save a few hundred bucks, at least. And that's being generous and adding in the "cost" of the extra vacation day and NOT adding the cost of a rental car onto the "flying" scenario.

I'm a number crunching, data analyzing, IT kinda guy as a profession. For our family size, this makes the most fiscal sense even when comparing money savings vs convenience. If we had a smaller family, maybe not so much. But as you can see, there are certainly scenarios..and we're coming from CT, too...where it CAN be a cost savings even when taking into account the things you mentioned.

I have always flown…Dozens of times, but I’ve always wanted to try driving once just to say I did it. So, next Feb ’09 (President’s week) I’m planning on joining “the club” when the four of us drive from Connecticut. I probably won’t be getting $200 R/T fares that week and in Feb there is better chance of bad weather so it is good time to have the flexibility of driving. Even though I prefer flying, I am excited about trying driving because it will be fun to plan and the drive itself will be an adventure, I am sure.

We "discovered" driving back in 2001...when our trip was scheduled about a week after 9/11. My wife was NOT going to fly, but also didn't want to cancel the trip....so we settled on driving. Did both legs in straight shots. We liked the drive (SOUTH OF THE BORDER, anyone?). But on future trips, more often than not, we flew....because it was cheaper to do so. Even after my daughter was born, we flew because it was cheaper. We talked about driving, even went so far as to "plan" to drive one trip...til we stumbled across $99 round trip airfare out of Bradley about 3 weeks before the trip.

Then, my son was born. We flew the last time when he was very young...he was a lap rider, but the minute he needed his own seat, and as air fares began to rise dramatically (we're talking 2006-ish)...we started to drive. Then my youngest daughter was born, and there was NO chance we were flying anymore. It was WAY too expensive. In addition, 5 seats together is tough/impossible, and leaving one parent with 2 kids was lilkewise tough. We've driven ever since, and will more than likely be driving in about 6 weeks.

But if a decent airfare pops up, I’ll probably jump on it. Unless you have an unbelievable fear of flying, I don’t understand how you can prefer driving that far. Who knows, after my adventure in Feb, maybe I’ll understand and be ‘hooked’ too…

"Preference" is maybe too strong a word. If all things were equal, flying was cheap(er...or even just closer to the cost of driving), and we could get seats together to wrangle our kids, I'd choose to fly. It IS more convenient, and it's certainly quicker.

But when weighing all factors for OUR family, the driving scenario enables us to spend the money we save on "other stuff" on our trip. We COULD afford to fly, but then we'd likely have to economize on other facets of the trip. So instead, we choose to make the trade off. It's probably NOT for everyone. I thank the heavens every day our kids are good travellers...because if they weren't I'd pay the extra simply to get it over with in 4 hours (round trip).

Maybe now you can see why some people "prefer" it...

 

[mookie]

Excellent points, made by all. As for us, we usually fly. Only now, with 3 kids (5, 2, 1) are we choosing to drive. Several reasons....

We got a great deal offsite. If we were onsite this time, I think Magical Express would seal our deal to fly. But since we are offsite, we would have to rent a car anyway. That plus the cost of airfare plus the cost of the "extra baggage" would be ridiculous.

We do have lots of miles that we could use. But why would we use miles if we are staying off site, not taking advantage of ME, and having to rent a car?

Renting a car means renting carseats, also. For us, I think the kids (especially the little guys) wouldn't mind "a little piece of home," and their familiar carseats and car.

Driving gives us freedom to take our time. And, it gives us freedom to add on a bit to the trip. DH and I are talking about hitting Destin for a few days on our way back home. It will give the kids a chance to see the ocean, which they have never seen before. If we were to fly, we could have never done this...except for on another trip, which would cost us a whole new set of airfare and time off.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

But when weighing all factors for OUR family, the driving scenario enables us to spend the money we save on "other stuff" on our trip. We COULD afford to fly, but then we'd likely have to economize on other facets of the trip. So instead, we choose to make the trade off. It's probably NOT for everyone. I thank the heavens every day our kids are good travellers...because if they weren't I'd pay the extra simply to get it over with in 4 hours (round trip).

Maybe now you can see why some people "prefer" it...

Same for our family, except we're a family of 6. Driving isn't the most fun thing to do, and if the costs of flying versus driving were equal, we'd fly simply for the "convenience" (I use the term lightly considering all that goes with flying nowadays).

But it doesn't, it costs significantly more for us to fly and rent a van than it does for us to "endure" the drive. So we drive if we don't find airfare and van rental that comes within $200-$300 of driving.

I understand that it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us.

 

[huskies90]

I don’t disagree with any of your points. This is an awesome thread with a ton of great information. I agree with mookie (great screen name by the way) they are all excellent points and they are all valid about convenience, size of family, flexibility etc. Staying offsite with no chance at Magical Express is another variable too. That all makes sense and there is certainly a your mileage may vary (literally in this case ) quotient. For example, my family is only 4 and we always stay onsite and my kids are big enough to not need car seats anymore and hopefully, they will sleep in the car when we drive. The last three trips I have broke $600 round trip for the entire family. Last time I had to fly from Providence to get $113 r/t on Southwest but it was worth the extra half hour drive. So airline cost is certainly a factor, too.

Not to be argumentative either, but I will say that pilferk, I think you are way underestimating the cost of driving. The wear and tear on your car is well over $.08 a mile. Heck, the depreciation on your car is about that much. Go to Kelley blue book and type in a 2006 Dodge Caravan with 30,000 miles then type in the same car with 32,000 and the value drops $150. That is $.075 a mile.

The government mileage rate is $.505 per mile (which includes gas). Which for a 2400 trip is $1,200. I think that is a bit high but it is a ball park.

And if you are staying over both ways, that is two extra days that could be spent on vacation. That is an opportunity cost. Assuming your family income is around $100K per year, that is very roughly $550. Those vacation days could be used for another vacation or to extend the current one. If you consider being in your car and driving a vacation, that wipes out that cost, again, assuming that is your preference. And a lot of people love road trips!! I understand that.

And finally, as for wear and tear on your body, I have never done it, but from reading this thread it seems like most folks are pretty tired that first day especially if you drive straight through. There is a similar opportunity cost there if can’t enjoy your time, but it is certainly harder to quantify. And another cost on you is the stress of driving and the much higher (statistically) probability of an accident. But that goes back to the preference thing. Yes, there are airline horror stories about delays and bad customer service which I agree is getting worse, but I would prefer to be delayed for several hours sitting in an airport lounge instead being stuck out on the road.

So, when you consider those factors, I think it becomes more of a preference. That is what I meant. For my next trip, with airfares in the $500-$600 range per person round trip which is a huge factor, I am preferring to drive for a lot of the reasons everyone has stated and I am looking forward to planning it and doing it. I love to fly and hate to drive so I doubt it will be my long term preference, but it is something I always wanted to try.

 

[loribell]

I just add vacation days to our trip. I am bad.

 

[onelugnut]

just want to pipe in here, that you
are missing on stating a lot of conveniences of driving.

Ie. packing what ever you need
airlines are charging per bag now.
that is big with my family, strollers,
and coolers, and yes, maybe golf clubs,

another is freedom of schedule
with 3 rugrats, i am scared to death that
we have one of those last minute kid sicknesses. (or adults)
I always tell my wife, i can change our schedule but
you cant change the planes. They will leave and we are out the $.
I can leave later or if in route, I can pull the car over for kids having fits, or sickness or yes even attitude adjustments,
that was hard to do in plane with a plane watching everything your doing,
and half wanting you to beat your kid, and the other half ready to call dyfus if you do.

also, how bout the air born sicknesses in planes,
plane cabins are germ warfare.
not that i am a germaphope, but we leave in two weeks,
and we are on strict "no getting colds" alert.

and oh yeah, we get to pick the movie during our flight (and the 2nd one and the 3rd one, etc.)

just a few of my thoughts.

see ya'll on 95 in 13 days,
we should pick a channel on the C.B. and make it
the Disney 2000 mile plus club channel!

 

[Flyerfan]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info, I have gone through most of the pages trying to find out if there is an alternate route available to us other then the usual I95 straight down. We drive down 2-3 times a year and always wind up hitting traffic somewhere. Our times have gone from a best of 15 3/4 hours to a worst of 22 hours . I realize that from NJ this is most likely the most direct route and timing has alot to do with it. Sometimes we don't have much choice when to leave based on business or family commitments.

We do, however, live right outside of Easton PA off route 78 and have seen some people opting for 78-81-11-26-95 or 78-81-64-95. I would really like some opinions, if based on where we are in NJ, it is a viable route (and if one is better then the other). I have heard the pluses of no tolls and less congestion, as well as the drawbacks of it being a less direct route. I have no problem with not being able to make it in 15 3/4 hours again, but don't want it to take 19 or 20 every time.

If someone has any hotel info at about just before they hit 95 to stay for the night (preferably a Marriott property) that would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

We are about 35 miles NW of Allentown and our preferred route is 81-77-26-95. It's way better than 95 all the way. It's very scenic with the mountains of Virginia and NC and no DC/Baltimore to worry about. Not sure when you are going but have to watch the weather in the winter as we had to re-route in January due to a snowstorm coming through those mountains and ended up coming home straight up 95. We usually stay one night down around the 26-95 junction and one night back somewhere in Virginia. It's just DH and I and with potty breaks and food stops it takes us between 18-19 hrs.

 

[kristytru]

We are about 35 miles NW of Allentown and our preferred route is 81-77-26-95. It's way better than 95 all the way. It's very scenic with the mountains of Virginia and NC and no DC/Baltimore to worry about. Not sure when you are going but have to watch the weather in the winter as we had to re-route in January due to a snowstorm coming through those mountains and ended up coming home straight up 95. We usually stay one night down around the 26-95 junction and one night back somewhere in Virginia. It's just DH and I and with potty breaks and food stops it takes us between 18-19 hrs.

We are doing our first drive down in an RV in April. I am trying to convince hubby to take the alternate 81-64-95 route but the word "mountain" bothers him when he thinks about driving the RV over a "montain". I know the route is around 100 miles longer, but is it an easy drive or more like Robin Williams in the movie RV!?!?

 

[danielle916]

just want to pipe in here, that you
are missing on stating a lot of conveniences of driving.

Ie. packing what ever you need
airlines are charging per bag now.
that is big with my family, strollers,
and coolers, and yes, maybe golf clubs,

another is freedom of schedule
with 3 rugrats, i am scared to death that
we have one of those last minute kid sicknesses. (or adults)
I always tell my wife, i can change our schedule but
you cant change the planes. They will leave and we are out the $.
I can leave later or if in route, I can pull the car over for kids having fits, or sickness or yes even attitude adjustments,
that was hard to do in plane with a plane watching everything your doing,
and half wanting you to beat your kid, and the other half ready to call dyfus if you do.

also, how bout the air born sicknesses in planes,
plane cabins are germ warfare.
not that i am a germaphope, but we leave in two weeks,
and we are on strict "no getting colds" alert.

and oh yeah, we get to pick the movie during our flight (and the 2nd one and the 3rd one, etc.)

just a few of my thoughts.

see ya'll on 95 in 13 days,
we should pick a channel on the C.B. and make it
the Disney 2000 mile plus club channel!

more of a reason for us to drive to with a family of 6....

 

[mookie]

I agree with mookie (great screen name by the way)

Just had to say thanks!

It's our doggies name.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Hey all! Making our third "close to" 2000 mile trip in December. Our first trip we drove from morning until night. 13 hours for us, so it is an easy day drive for us really. Our second trip though, we left here at 8pm and planned to stop when we got tired (2am). We felt this was soooo long though!

This trip we are again leaving at night, around 10-11pm and plan to drive it staight through.

My question is, say around the NC/SC border or half way into SC we need to stop for a bit...not hotel, but just parking lot or rest area, is there a good place that any of you know of?

I was reading another thread, which led me here, asking the same question pretty much. That poster was given a good area, exit, but we will make it way past that. We should make it through NC before it gets too bad. We will have three drivers though, two of whom sleep well in the car, so I don't think we will have any problems. But, in case at 4am we do, I would like to be somewhat prepared.

 

[2xDisneyDad]

We are about 35 miles NW of Allentown and our preferred route is 81-77-26-95. It's way better than 95 all the way. It's very scenic with the mountains of Virginia and NC and no DC/Baltimore to worry about. Not sure when you are going but have to watch the weather in the winter as we had to re-route in January due to a snowstorm coming through those mountains and ended up coming home straight up 95. We usually stay one night down around the 26-95 junction and one night back somewhere in Virginia. It's just DH and I and with potty breaks and food stops it takes us between 18-19 hrs.

Thanks for the reply. I think we are definately going to give the 81-77-26-95 route a shot. We leave Nov 1 so weather should not be an issue. Next question will be where to stop. We are leaving NJ on a Friday about 3 pm so I am hoping to make it to Charlotte. There are a number of decent looking Marriotts in the area as well. On the way home on the following Sat. I think we only may make it to around the same area. Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks again

 

[BC1836]

Good morning, all!
It's about 3:35 in the morning...
Where are we driving in about an hour?

WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Gotta go...

Take care, all!

 

[loribell]

Good morning, all!
It's about 3:35 in the morning...
What are we driving in about an hour?

WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Gotta go...

Take care, all!

I did not realize it was almost time for you to head out. Have a fantastic trip!

 

[mookie]

Good morning, all!
It's about 3:35 in the morning...
What are we driving in about an hour?

WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Gotta go...

Take care, all!

Have a great trip! And please post all the gory (and not so gory) details when you get home!

 

[danielle916]

Good morning, all!
It's about 3:35 in the morning...
What are we driving in about an hour?

WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Gotta go...

Take care, all!

Woohoo have fantasic trip and safe drive, do tell us about the details!

 

[Flyerfan]

On the way home on the following Sat. I think we only may make it to around the same area.
Thanks again

We'll give you a from the Southbound lane. We'll be heading down that Sat.

 

[Flyerfan]

We are doing our first drive down in an RV in April. I am trying to convince hubby to take the alternate 81-64-95 route but the word "mountain" bothers him when he thinks about driving the RV over a "montain". I know the route is around 100 miles longer, but is it an easy drive or more like Robin Williams in the movie RV!?!?

I've never seen RV (is it funny?) nor have I driven one but it's an easy drive with a car. Matter of fact, DH is going to actually let me drive some of the way this time.

 

[2xDisneyDad]

We'll give you a from the Southbound lane. We'll be heading down that Sat.

Will do...hopefully we will be the red minivan with the two SLEEPING kids in the back...