What is the total cost of driving from GTA

[garytam]

Have an upcoming trip in July for two weeks. Original plan was to drive down to save a few dollars. But checking the flight, it cost 800.00 for the four of us.

My question is how much does it cost to drive down from GTA with a mini-van, including fuel, overnight stay and the car tuning up afterward.

 

[michelle1]

We have never driven but don't forget to take into account two other things...meals for the drive down and if you fly then maybe a rental car.

 

[joiev98]

I am trying to figure out the same thing. Last summer when gas prices were high, I drove to my fathers house in Louisiana. It is approx. the same distance as Orlando. We drove straight through so did not need hotel accommodations. My gas cost $387 Canadian. And I just got a oil change when we got back. We also have a mini van. This trip I am planning on stopping for one night both there and back. And don't forget to add the cost of food...ya gotta eat!!!
I would absolutely say fly! I would love to fly but we have 6 people and it makes a big difference in cost comparisons!!

 

[A&CsMom]

There is a website by AAA that estimates your gas in US$ and both our former 2000 Caravan and our current 2004 Odyssey came out to $323US return for gas from Buffalo to Orlando. I also noticed recently that MapQuest (I think) had a feature for estimating gas for your route. Overnight hotel costs you should allow $100US as that seems to be the going rate now, although you can get cheaper if you want to take a chance. We recommend Hampton Inns or Fairfield Inns. You would have to eat anyway, so I don't think that should factor in. You can bring some of your own snacks and drinks (we bring a cooler and crackers/granola bars/some treats). As for the tune up, as our last van got older, we always got it looked over before we left, not after, and had the oil changed at least. No one wants surprises on the road if it can be helped. We stay offsite so a vehicle is a requirement, plus my DH does not like to fly, and that is why we drive. A lot of people fly for the convenience and are willing to pay for it. Good luck with your decision.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Sigh - we WERE going to fly in August now the people in my party of 7 are waffling

What we figured out for my family of 4 -

to fly we would be leaving on a Friday after work to get a hotel in Rochester so hotel with park and fly and dinner $150US (which would be cancelled out with driving)
Airfare $800US
Rental car for the 1 week and getting from Cruise to Disney and after $250 is the best quote so far

then we were going to stay after Disney to see some non Disney things for the Friday/Sat/Sun so those hotels would cancel out the ones on the return plus the cost of any food.

To drive we figured high on $350 for gas for our 2007 Camry - we don't think it would be more then $300 or less. plus one extra hotel on the thursday night before we go since we will leave at around 5pm after work and drive until 9ish or so. As for tune up - the car isn't even 1 yr old so not an issue - dh will go in for his regularly scheduled oil change before and then one extra one just after.

So in a round about way they figure they would save about $600 to $700 by driving THEN we wouldn't have to worry about flights since my brother is notorious for having his flights cancelled/turned around or have airports closed on him - it's happened to him every trip for the last 5 - he just ended up driving back from his cruise last week because Air tran cancelled his Sunday flight on him and couldn't get him out again until Wednesday - the trip to Hawaii before that was turned around 1/2 way to Hawaii because of the Earthquake they had. So I think Driving is more for my dh' peace of mind. Sigh

but I don't wanna drive all those hours in the car with my 13yo and 7yo

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

but I don't wanna drive all those hours in the car with my 13yo and 7yo

Really? I can't see why not!

24 hours in a car with two boys? I'm with you -- bring on the airplane ride! At least that is only 2 hours!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

3 tanks down 3 tanks back. Keep in mind gas is half the price after converting to the USD and Liters to gallons from what were used to up here. Hotel one night on the way down one back. $100 usd on the high end. Where you really gain is you dont have to be careful on what you purchase. Your only limited by the space left in the van. We have 2 small kids. 2004 when we did the trip they were 5 and 2 This year they will be 8 and 5. No problems then and we dont expect any this time. They have there dvd players and gameboys. Also coloring books and puzzle books. Lots for them to do. As for maintanance nothing special if you keep up on it regularly. Just do a oil change before and one after. Keep in mind if you fly not only do you need to park your car at the airport or get a taxi. You will need passports to fly out of T.O. Added cost we didn't want to spend this year. Overall it is cheaper to drive for us.

 

[the4moores]

Our last trip from London On cost us about 600 including gas, hotel and meals.

 

[garytam]

Thanks for the great advices. Based on the calculation, it will cost about $650 (350 for gas, 100 for oil change and 200 for hotel). Compare to 800 flying out from Buffalo, 60 for parking, 500 for car rental for a total of about 1,400.

My wife would be extra happy now that she can do some serious shopping.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Thanks for the great advices. Based on the calculation, it will cost about $650 (350 for gas, 100 for oil change and 200 for hotel). Compare to 800 flying out from Buffalo, 60 for parking, 500 for car rental for a total of about 1,400.

My wife would be extra happy now that she can do some serious shopping.

Not only that if you are staying onsite. You get free parking if you decide to drive to the parks.

 

[Gladguy]

I did the math for myself, and figured it would cost about $650 to drive from the GTA. The most important factor, however, is the day and a half lost each way. 3 days is a lot of "opportunity cost" on a 1 week vacation!

Flying out of YYZ was going to cost my family CAD$2600 via Air Canada. No way, Jose. I was one of the fortunate ones who scored the $54.88 Ding from SWA out of Buffalo. So, I'm flying my family down for UD$540. Add $100 for one night hotel in Buffalo (flight leaves at 7:45 a.m.), and I figure I'm saving about $1800 in cash plus two full days of precious vacation time. Not to mention the wear on the vehicle.

Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

 

[MamaLema]

We spent $380 there and back, including tolls. We drive straight so we don't have overnight hotel costs.

If I can drive with 3 boys ages 3, 5, and 8, anyone can do it!

 

[NikP]

I think most people tend to forget about the lost time while driving. If you are lucky enough to have lots of paid holidays, this wouldn't be an issue. My husband does get more holidays than he can use, but he tends to take only what he needs. We like the lump some payment we receive yearly for the vacation not taken. We think it is better use of our money for my husband to sit behind his computer for 3 days, versus a stearing wheel listening to our children ask are we there yet? One day we might try the drive, but it wouldn't be to save money. (Keep in mind we are only a family of 4, and live close enough to fly out of Buffalo)

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I guess it all depends on what your plans are. For us driving is what we want to do . Not nessasarlly cheaper as you have to factor in your gonna bring back more. FOr us we love the drive through the mountains in VA we also stay a night in Daytona for the beach. 10 days at disney then 3 days out on ST petes beach. Plus we dont like disney transportation. (our opinion) If you just looking at it from a money point of view and not as some say lost days driving is cheaper.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

imo: i would do the magical express, eliminate the need for a car rental. I would fly and eliminate the need to drive back a day and a half after a full trip. heck, i would just fly. even if i had to pay more than the price you were quoted...it would just mean i would have to save a few months longer.

yep i would fly. loss of time of vacation for sure...esp since i don't consider the day and a half each way 'vacation'

regardless, have a great trip

 

[dancin Disney style]

There is a website by AAA that estimates your gas in US$

the site is www.fuelcostcalculator.com You have to have a US city as your starting point. I use Buffalo and then add on $30 for my round trip. This site asks you to input your year/make/model of car and it takes in to consideration the price of gas along your drive.

 

[canron]

keep an eye on southwest seat sales or download ding..for the cost and headache of driving for 2 days there and back.fly out of buffalo..we used to drive but have been flyingfor 7 years now out of buff. you can get a dodge caliber for $110. us for the week..so its up to you..cost veres headache..

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

the site is www.fuelcostcalculator.com You have to have a US city as your starting point. I use Buffalo and then add on $30 for my round trip. This site asks you to input your year/make/model of car and it takes in to consideration the price of gas along your drive.

Thats a great site thanks. It is close too. I subtracted some for my last trip and I found it to be pretty accurate.

 

[Kurby]

$258 from Buffalo round trip right now - about $25 round trip from my house to the boarder - so thats almost $300. lets call it $300 since we drive to the parks right now because of our stroller issues (it's big and a pain on the WDW bus)

not bad actually.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

$258 from Buffalo round trip right now - about $25 round trip from my house to the boarder - so thats almost $300. lets call it $300 since we drive to the parks right now because of our stroller issues (it's big and a pain on the WDW bus)

not bad actually.

Not only that but driving yourself is faster and you can leave emergency cloths and stuff in it too.