While no one likes the current cost of fuel, I thought I'd run some numbers just to keep things in prespective.
Next week my wife and I are going to Portland Maine for a few days. We'll be driving up in my 05 F350 KR PSD.
Assuming an average of 16 mpg (I can do better) and $5.00 a gallon for diesel (I can also do better) that's:
340 miles - 21.25 gallons @ $5 = $106.25 plus $25 for tolls = $131.25 - $262.50 round trip and the trip will take
approximately 7 hour each way.
OPTION #1 - AMTRAK
Get someone to drive us to the train station and pick us up when we return or park in long term parking at the station. In addition we'd have to rent a car in Maine.
Two round trip, business coach class tickets $584.00 and the trip would take 9 hours each way with a train change in Boston.
OPTION #2 - Fly
Get someone to drive us to the airport and pick us up when we return. If I leave the truck in long term parking it probably won't be there when we get back. In addition we'd have to rent a car in Maine.
Two round trip airline tickets $1,204.00 plus surcharges and the trip would take 8.5 hours with a plane change.
Not a real tough decision.
One other trip that I make semi-irregularly is NYC to Oklahoma City. As the distances get longer the mix changes due to travel times.
Drive - same mpg and fuel cost assumptions:
1500 miles - 93.75 gallons @ $5 = $468.75 plus $40 for tolls and 2 nights in motels @ $85.00 per night = $678.75 - $1,357.50 round trip and the trip takes two and a half days (but I could knock one overnight off by pushing).
OPTION #1 - AMTRAK
The same transportation problems at both ends and the cost for the two of us would be $2,692.00 round trip with a travel time of 47.5 hours each way.
OPTION #2 - Fly
The same transportation problems at both ends and the cost for the two of us would be $3,276.00 round trip with a travel time of 10 hours.
I didn't make any attempt to optimize these costs. I could get better fuel mileage and cheaper prices for fuel and motels. There isn't much wiggle room in the Amtrak fares although I could save a few bucks by riding in coach rather than business class. The air fares are from Travelocity; not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. In almost all cases flying is quicker but you have to factor in the cost of renting a car when you get to your destination. Amtrak is just a joke. The trip from New York to Oklahoma City goes through Chicago and Texas and requires 3 train changes. Does anyone actually travel cross country by rail anymore unless it's for pleasure?
My point is simply that although we all feel the pain of high fuel prices in our day to day driving, once the mileage gets longer, using our fuel guzzling, polution belching vehicles is still cheaper and more convenient.
well since you started it, i might as well add a little... the trip is actually pretty similar.
in a month i'll be going from central ks to north of albany, around 1550 miles @ 18mpg, $5 fuel (just borrowing your numbers again) is a dead even $430.
wouldn't make much sense to fly since i have to stay there and work for the summer, and then next year after our wedding (in albany), presuming airfare is about the same as it was when i flew out for spring break @ ~$450 for 2 of us, that'd be 900.
but how are you getting 2 1/2 days of travel? i always presume an average of 60mph, and it's not unusual for that to be a little slow (since i don't do over 70). i'll be stopping in syracuse at a friend's for a day and will make it in 2 days easy (and plan on sleepin' in the truck, why pay another 60 for a motel when it's just me?).
but interesting comparison. we went to albany for a 4-H exchange trip in the summer of 99 and took amtrak. 30 hours one way and it WAS cheaper than flying then. but it was way too long, they said "next time we're coughing up the extra $$$ and FLYING!" i wasn't around for that next trip...
__________________ Ryan
2004 F-250 6spd Crew Cab 4x4 3.73, 235/85R16
K&N Cold Air Intake
Magnaflow 4" Cat Back
but how are you getting 2 1/2 days of travel? i always presume an average of 60mph, and it's not unusual for that to be a little slow (since i don't do over 70). i'll be stopping in syracuse at a friend's for a day and will make it in 2 days easy (and plan on sleepin' in the truck, why pay another 60 for a motel when it's just me?).
Well, I've been doing the NYC to OKC thing at least once a year since 1974. In my younger days it was 2 days with one night in a motel. Older and slower now, the money is less important than sleep. Now I stop over in Huber Heights, OH and Joplin, MO. I leave home on a Friday morning and roll into OKC on Sunday afternoon. Sleeping in the truck isn't really an option in the winter.
All correct. For the longer trips it is still the way to go. The killer is the daily drive. As much as I love driving the truck, very shortly I'm going to be forced to start driving the Kia (35MPG) to/from the office.
__________________
'06 F250 PSD ExtCab LB SRW Auto - And Loving It.
Installed Upfitters, BCP High-idle, Bi-Pass Coolant Filter (DieselSite), Zoodad, Fomoto
+12V 30A Service to Rear for 'toys'
8oz PS Diesel Kleen in every tank
Spence how far North of Albany will you be. I live just north of Albany so if you need anything look me up. Lots of good places to eat here. If you need a clean reasonable place to stay I can help you look for a hotel.
Just so you know diesel up here right now is anywhere from 4.49-4.77
Sarge
__________________
2006 F-350 PSD Lariat Crew FX4 ALL BLACK
Banks Techni Cooler
Banks Big Mouth Intake Pipe
Banks High Ram Intake
Banks Monster Exhaust Turbo Back
BD Diesel Exhaust Brake
BD Diesel Torque Converter Pressure Controller
Air Ride Air Bags
Deep Sump Trans and Rear Diff. Pans
No-Shrink Tonneau Cover
I may get flamed here, but there was another option -- Rent a car that gets better mileage.
I swallowed my pride this weekend; after my truck died on Friday (separate story) I had planned to drive from Long Island to Niagara Falls for the weekend, leaving Saturday morning, returning late Monday. It turned out to be an OK decision.
Driving the truck: 900 Miles round trip; 14 MPG; $4.80 per Gal = $308.57
Car Rental: 3 days @$35/day ($105); 28 MPG; $3.90 per Gal = $230.
One positive on this the whole fuel thing - finally talked my wife into letting me get a Harley and now I ride that to/from work when whether permits. The logic may not add up, but I like the results!
If the rail systems in North America were better, trains would be the best bet, I loved riding the trains in Europe, real easy and comfortable traveling.
since i'll be up there for 15 months or so, renting a car is kind of unpractical. it's more of a "temporary move." plus, last time i knew anything you had to be 25 to rent a car, and i ain't that old yet. and i'm still young and dumb, plus next to broke, so saving a few bucks where i can is good. plus i do drive like grandma, i'll be doing 1400 miles in 2 days, spending a day with a good friend and then continue on.
sarge - somehow i totally missed the replies to this thread, something else i saw you post caused me to think of that and pm you. anyhow...
the first time i went to albany in '99 we took the train (4-H trip) and i didn't care for it one bit. too much movement and it took so dang long. i can get there faster by driving, and generally airlines are faster yet, but these days - not always.
and who's talking about being better with KR's and lariats? i for one can't stand leather and don't need all that extra crap. i do like cloth but it gets dirty a lot faster and electric windows break (twice - in two weeks in 06), electric door locks break, and don't care for the shift on the fly 4x4. only nice thing about that is not having to get out and lock the hubs. what happened to the plain jane stuff? is there even one crew cab that's an XL out there? i haven't seen one.
__________________ Ryan
2004 F-250 6spd Crew Cab 4x4 3.73, 235/85R16
K&N Cold Air Intake
Magnaflow 4" Cat Back
i'll be going from central ks to north of albany...
Clifton Park, Saratoga, Lake George????
My old stomping grounds.
I can fly from Omaha round trip for about $400 +/- if I buy in advance and look for a deal. When I get there I usually have to rent a car so I start spending more with the fly option.
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