RALFFERS 0 #1 April 26, 2008 As a few of you know, I plan on going to Colorado at the end of July-beginning of August; thing is, I can't make up my my mind on whether to drive or fly... Ideally, I'd like to drive - BUT - I don't know if I can get someone to go with me; although I could probably handle it myself - 12 hours a piece over 2 days, no biggie. I just think it would be a lot more fun - A) because I enjoy driving, & B) I'd get to see some of the country on my way. I plan on going for a week, to a week & 1/2. BUT - with gas prices being so high (we're up to $4.00/gal now) would you drive, or does it make more sense to fly? Also.....the expenses.......hotel, car rental (if I fly,) food, hotel an hour of tunnel time.......would $2k-$3k (max I'd spend) do it? (I've never planned a vacation on my own)Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #2 April 26, 2008 It depends on where you would be leaving from, and to where, exactly, in Colorado you're going. Driving across Kansas and eastern Colorado can be somewhat less than exciting.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #3 April 26, 2008 You still have to eat and have a place to stay regardless. R/T NONSTOP air from CLE to DEN is $239 right now. It's roughly 1350 miles ONE WAY to Denver from the CLE area.. That's at least 4 tanks of gas in my car. 8 tanks roundtrip times $60. You do the math. 4 days of driving. Gas, food and drink, maybe a motel along the way. Possiblity of a breakdown. PM me if you want and I can set it up for you.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #4 April 26, 2008 Quote You still have to eat and have a place to stay regardless. R/T NONSTOP air from CLE to DEN is $239 right now. It's roughly 1350 miles ONE WAY to Denver from the CLE area.. That's at least 4 tanks of gas in my car. 8 tanks roundtrip times $60. You do the math. 4 days of driving. Gas, food and drink, maybe a motel along the way. Possiblity of a breakdown. PM me if you want and I can set it up for you. You have a hell of a point there, Scott... It really would be cheaper to fly. damn...I wonder if gas will ever go down again. During the 70's & 80's it was proportionally almost as expensive as to day, yet, it went back down. Lets keep our fingers crossed...Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidB 0 #5 April 26, 2008 I just ran the numbers the other day for my planned 1275 mile (one way) trip in 4 weeks. I could get a plane ticket for about $75 less than gas would cost me. Add parking at the airport for 15 days, plus the 70 miles each way my GF would have to drive to pick me up & drop me off, plus the fact that I couldn't take most of the tools & such I would need while there, & it now costs more to fly (& I get less done), so it's drive time for me. BTW, I make the whole trip in one shot (leave NJ @ 11PM, arrive in Ar @ 4PM), my truck only has 29K miles on it (so it's reliable), plus it gets 25-26MPG. Bottom line: If you can make the trip in one shot (with a couple rest-stop naps) it'll likely cost less than flying. If you can get someone else to go with & split expenses, it's lots cheaper than flying. Go here: http://www.lowestfare.com/lf_default.asp?session_key=410011AC420011AC20080426013205068cf1448584&plf=lwfr & see what a flight would cost, then add parking, a rental, etc.When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #6 April 26, 2008 u have to remember that at the rate the gas pricves are rising you will be paying $5 by the time you plan on returning.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
low_pull1 2 #7 April 26, 2008 relax dude.... take a sleeping bag....sleep in the back or in the cab. Dont push it....what time you spend pushing it will be lost when you get there! Why not stop 1/3 or 1/2 way??? find a cheap pub, chat with the locals in some "small" town , crash and be on ur way in the morning! I cruised the country at one time like this...sleeping in a VW rabbit. one could shower at a truck stop for a couple of bucks or find a gf and sleep free at her place! "DRIVE FAST, PASS AROUND BLIND TURNS" will get u there fast... but why not enjoy the trip. tell steff we said hello at the tunnel! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #8 April 26, 2008 Ralf, fly. Get online and book a ticket now. The closer it gets to your travel date, the more expensive it will be. Car rentals aren't very expensive. Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aprilcat 0 #9 April 26, 2008 Get the ticket now...then rent your own wreck when you get there. I LOVE these guys!! a GOOD get away car!!! Camelot II, the Electric Boogaloo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #10 April 26, 2008 QuoteGet the ticket now...then rent your own wreck when you get there. I LOVE these guys!! a GOOD get away car!!!Um, yeah - but the name kinda scares me...Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaH 0 #11 April 26, 2008 Quote Get the ticket now...then rent your own wreck when you get there. I LOVE these guys!! a GOOD get away car!!! Be yourself! MooOOooOoo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #12 April 26, 2008 I voted to fly. But then I thought, if you've never planned your own trip before, and haven't seen that part of the country.....drive! It'll be a nice experience, and ain't that what life's all about?! Get some MRE"s, water, caffeine, and hit the road.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #13 April 26, 2008 Quote I voted to fly. But then I thought, if you've never planned your own trip before, and haven't seen that part of the country.....drive! It'll be a nice experience, and ain't that what life's all about?! Get some MRE"s, water, caffeine, and hit the road.... Okay......so now the question is - would $2.5-$3k do it?Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #14 April 26, 2008 Quote Quote I voted to fly. But then I thought, if you've never planned your own trip before, and haven't seen that part of the country.....drive! It'll be a nice experience, and ain't that what life's all about?! Get some MRE"s, water, caffeine, and hit the road.... Okay......so now the question is - would $2.5-$3k do it? Answer these and then can come up wif estimate. - What is the total one-way distance for this trip? - What type of vehicle will you be driving? - Total weight of luggage/gear you'll be taking? - Do you plan to stay in a hotel at anytime during the trip? - Do you have friends to stay with in Denver upon arrival or will it be a hotel? over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #15 April 27, 2008 For your drive: Maximize fuel economy by heeding the speed limit. It takes 20% more fuel to travel at 65 mph than at 55 mph, and 25% more when driving at 75 mph vs. 65 mph. Also, travel light: 100 pounds of weight in the trunk reduces most cars' fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%. If you must take it along, carry it in the trunk and not on a roof rack, which decreases mileage by up to 5%. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucky123 0 #16 April 27, 2008 Forget about the trip and save that money for jumps or gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #17 April 27, 2008 Quote As a few of you know, I plan on going to Colorado at the end of July-beginning of August; thing is, I can't make up my my mind on whether to drive or fly... Don't do it. I did that back in '95 when I was living in IL. Got home in the ugliest mood imaginable, because I had to come back to IL. Solved that problem a year later when I moved."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #18 April 27, 2008 Quote Quote As a few of you know, I plan on going to Colorado at the end of July-beginning of August; thing is, I can't make up my my mind on whether to drive or fly... Don't do it. I did that back in '95 when I was living in IL. Got home in the ugliest mood imaginable, because I had to come back to IL. Solved that problem a year later when I moved. It crosses my mind every day, believe me! I'm eventually getting outta here for sure - only question is where to go... Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #19 April 27, 2008 Hey, do you chaps have Trains over there? How much would that trip cost then? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #20 April 27, 2008 QuoteHey, do you chaps have Trains over there? How much would that trip cost then? I have an old friend who lives in Northern IN, (where I mistakenly was born and raised). He comes out here on business twice a year and sometimes takes the train. Have driven that mind-numbing route a few times, I must say I would happily take the train instead."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #21 April 27, 2008 Quote Hey, do you chaps have Trains over there? How much would that trip cost then? NOW THAT'S an idea! Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #22 April 27, 2008 Alas, train service here is not like your country or the continent. Flying is probably cheaper and more likely to be on schedule. The last time someone I know took an American train, the 5:00 PM arrival showed 8 hours late, at 1 in the morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RALFFERS 0 #23 April 27, 2008 Quote Alas, train service here is not like your country or the continent. Flying is probably cheaper and more likely to be on schedule. The last time someone I know took an American train, the 5:00 PM arrival showed 8 hours late, at 1 in the morning. The only experience I have with trains is when I stayed in Poland for 3 months a couple years back - out of the 6 trips I did by train it was only somewhat late once. Shame you say it's not the same here at home (you would think it be top-notch. )Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself - "from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #24 April 27, 2008 That's a great shame. I'd think that it would be a fantastic way to see the country. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #25 April 28, 2008 QuoteThat's a great shame. I'd think that it would be a fantastic way to see the country. Most of the country is not worth seeing. Corn field. Corn field. Corn field. For over 500 miles. Some places might be as exciting as corn field, bean field, corn field but even that doesn't compare well to Europe. Of course, that's preferable to places with the cattle feed-lot scenic detour. Especially when you're down wind. Yuck. OTOH, having jumped at dropzones located close to both cattle feed lots and turkey processing facilities I have to say the birds stink more. If you're used to them a little bull crap won't phase you a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
