Bob buys a motorcycle. It's a 5000 mile round trip to pick it up. Bob asks Tony to ride along.

Tony says "Sure, we'll spend a couple days down there, do some diving, pick up the motorcycle and drive back."

Bob says "Sounds good. And now that I have someone to split gas it's cheaper than flying."

Tony isn't sure why he'd be paying half the gas to help pick up someone else's motorcycle. Maybe toss in a hundred bucks because he is getting some diving out of it.

Alright, what's fair?

 

Bob pays the whole thing. Tony pays for his extras, contributes if he is getting something more out of it than just being the sidekick and extra labor.

 

It's his trip.you are just along for the ride. I would split hotels and meals of course,but not gas for a trip that was for him.

 

Well this ain't a date like with some hot chick but even so he/she who asks foots the biggest part of the bill.

Anytime I've asked a buddy along on a trip I've never expected them to do more than ride along. Most times I'll even cover snacks or a meal along the way---if they're that good a friend its kinda the least we'd do right?

If I were invited along on that same sort of trip and asked to kick in gas money etc---I'd suddenly remember something else I had to do at the same time.

 

When my buddy & I make a road trip which we do often. We split up the costs, Like I buy the gas he buys eats. Then sometime he might throw in on gas. I never do a road trip with him to save money but to have a traveling partner & have fun. Somehow for years this has worked out this way.
So if Bob wants Tony to go & expects him to chip in then he needs to say so up front. To me it isn't what is RIGHT or WRONG but what both parties are comfortable with. Without a history then it needs to be worked out by talking.

 

Yet so many overlook the obvious and best advice!

 

Tony turned it into a vacation for himself because of the diving, apparently making them stay longer than it would have been. By doing that he then should pay half gas as well as all his own meals and hotel.

If he would just go to drive some and because he is apparently such great company then he would only pay for his meals and hotel but no gas.

As per the question the above is what is FAIR, not equal, not making friends but what is FAIR. Fair is not equal and equal is not fair.




I have buddies that tag along or I tag along on short trips, never is the passenger expected to pay for any gas as the driver was going any way with or without the passenger. Usually the Passenger does pick up a complete meal during said trip. These are just for one day so no overnight accommodations.