To drive or not to Drive ?

[Our2Girls&Disney]

How much would it cost you in gas money to drive? We have a 19 hour drive from where we are and when added up it costs us $650 rt in gas. So with that figured in it's better for us to fly.

What kind of car are you driving? We live in NH (it is a 24 hour drive) and according to AAA fuel calculator even if we drove DH's gas guzzling F-150 4x4, it would cost $469 RT in gas. How can a 19 hour drive cost $650 in gas???? You must be driving a gas guzzler for sure.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

The last time we went to WDW, we drove, and it was wonderful. We laughed, and played, and spent the time getting extra excited for our trip. We drove through the night, when there was less traffic (hardly any, actually), and stopped at the Florida line rest stop to get a couple of hours sleep. We really enjoyed it, so when we go back in Feb 08, we elected to drive again.

 

[Sea-Donkey]

To figure gaas price you need to know two things:
1. how many miles do you have to travel?
2. how many miles per gallon does your car get?

For us, we have to drive 1100 miles and my car gets roughly 17 mpg. That is just shy of 65 gallons of gas (1100 / 17). 65 g x $3.00 per gallon = $195. Perhaps factor another 10% for gas wasted sitting in possible traffic. And don't forget you need same amount of gas (and time) to drive home too.

My family loves to drive to WDW. Before I had a toddler, we would drive straight thru the night. Would take about 18 hours with stops. We are going to drive again in Aug08, but since we have a child with us, I am going to do drive in two days. This way nobody is super-duper cranky when we get there.

I was assuming the original question was a joke...but awesome that you were kind enough to explain.

 

[kandb]

We just got back from a trip to WDW and we drove from NY. The drive was not that bad at all. Our 4 year old twins are good in the car (this is their 2nd road trip to WDW within 1 year). We bring movies, snacks and I bring ballons in the car for them to play with, sticker books, small pads they can write on etc. and they stay entertained. Good luck, Linda

 

[barbmouse]

We usually drive and it takes about 12 hours but for a short trip I would definitely prefer to fly. You've already got the tickets..I'd use them!

 

[afinnteach]

I vote drive! I've done both (from PA) and there is nothing like the anticipation of driving to WDW! We will be driving down in Feb with our DD 21/2 years old and DS 6mo old! We will leave Friday after work and drive through the night with stops at rest stops and McD's playgrounds! We figure we'll let DD play while we eat and then she can eat her meal in the car once we are back on the road!

I would put those tickets on hold (for some other trip) and hop in the car!

I'm sure you'll have fun whatever you do!

A.

 

[BetsyinFL]

We've used the Autotrain out of VA to Sanford, FL, and our kids LOVE it! We usually only do it one way, because it cost about $800 for the car and the family bedroom. But it leaves at 4PM and you arrive at 8 the next morning after a fun night sleeping on the train. We like to take the train on the way home as one more fun thing before the trip is over.

 

[rt2dz]

We always drive, even though it's close to a 24 trip. It's much easier on us with our kids being so little and DS#2 having medical issues and the hassles of flying are not fun because of it. Even with gas prices, it's cheaper too since we're a family of five. The freedom it gives us when we are there is wonderful too.

BUT, it depends on your attitude going into it. Our goal is to have a good time, not make good time. We extend that 24 hour drive by getting out and stopping often. We'll stop for meals and points of interest. We also come prepared with things to do (DVD player is there, but only when everything else is exhausted). My kids love the long trips. We look forward to the drive, not dreading it. And it is amazing to how much your kids will open up.

However, we don't go for a weekend, we go for 10 days. Long weekend trips (to other places), I keep under 8 hours. We drive those too though! Disclaimer--we have a SUV so my kids aren't on top of each other and luggage goes on top so that inside isn't crowded.

 

[rt2dz]

To figure gaas price you need to know two things:
1. how many miles do you have to travel?
2. how many miles per gallon does your car get?

For us, we have to drive 1100 miles and my car gets roughly 17 mpg. That is just shy of 65 gallons of gas (1100 / 17). 65 g x $3.00 per gallon = $195. Perhaps factor another 10% for gas wasted sitting in possible traffic. And don't forget you need same amount of gas (and time) to drive home too.

My family loves to drive to WDW. Before I had a toddler, we would drive straight thru the night. Would take about 18 hours with stops. We are going to drive again in Aug08, but since we have a child with us, I am going to do drive in two days. This way nobody is super-duper cranky when we get there.

Also depends on where you live and where you are driving through for cost of gas. I mean San Fransisco is around $4/gallon and Houston is $2.80 a gallon.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

If cost is not a factor in your decision, then I would vote for flying. While I'm sure everyone's experience is different, when we drive to Disney we are tired and rung out by the time we arrive-when we fly we are energized and ready to go. I'd drive if it were a long vacation, but for a short trip I'd definitely fly. Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

What kind of car are you driving? We live in NH (it is a 24 hour drive) and according to AAA fuel calculator even if we drove DH's gas guzzling F-150 4x4, it would cost $469 RT in gas. How can a 19 hour drive cost $650 in gas???? You must be driving a gas guzzler for sure.

We don't have a gas guzzler, but we drove in May '05 when gas was $2.25 gal. When we got home we added up the gas receipts from the trip to and from (leaving out what we used while down there) and it was over $400. I think the AAA calculator doesn't take into account the much lower gas milage while driving through the mountains in KY and TN. Or the fact that we were carring 300 extra pounds of luggage. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if it were black and white, then yes it should have cost much less, but when you add in all of the above and maybe sitting in traffic too, it cost much more.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

What kind of car are you driving? We live in NH (it is a 24 hour drive) and according to AAA fuel calculator even if we drove DH's gas guzzling F-150 4x4, it would cost $469 RT in gas. How can a 19 hour drive cost $650 in gas???? You must be driving a gas guzzler for sure.

We drive a Cadillac Escalade and for us it's only going to be $485 round trip in gas....and that's driving from Wisconsin!

 

[kerry34]

Since you already bought the tickets and you are only going for a long weekend, I vote for flying. We always drive but we stay offsite and are a family of 7 so the plane fare is really expensive. In your case, the plane fare and gas cost would probably be very close, so you wouldnt be saving a ton of money by driving.

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

FLY!!! It is short and sweet and leaves more time for relaxing.

 

[disney_me]

We are going to fly to WDW. Thanks for everyones help!!

We leave on Thursday Dec. 13th and come home on Monday Dec. 17th.

I was able to talk DH into one extra day in Fl. Going to Tampa on Saturday to Bush Gardens. (Disney will always be my favorite place)