177 replies to this topic

[Donkeymog]

How much does it take if you don't use toll roads? Isn't it just cheaper to fly for long distances?

[lazlo falconi]

Here's a handy fuel cost calculator that's not terribly inaccurate.

[Kamau]

That's neat! Turns out it'll be cheaper for me to buy a plane ticket than to drive to Denver. XD 

[SpazCat]

Here's a handy fuel cost calculator that's not terribly inaccurate.

 

How much does it take if you don't use toll roads? Isn't it just cheaper to fly for long distances?

 

From that Calculator there, it says it would be $300 round trip. Which is far better than $300 a ticket, per person.

 

If it was just me, yes a plane would be nicer. However, for a family of 4, not so much. Lily would be 2 by then and she would count as a whole person, even at a slightly reduced price.

[Donkeymog]

How long will you be driving? Have you factored in the cost of stops? Maps reckons it'll take you guys 18 hours to drive to Fraser, which is crazy. Presumably you will need accommodation for a stop, and food and drink and things to keep the kids amused.

[Amethyst]

Hello this is a thing. I seem to have popped in again at a good time.

 

Like hella I'm down for this but I don't really a have a car (and no plans to get one any time soon because inner-city transportation OP) so I'm also not 100% sure on transportationing. If anyone gets their ducks in a row and thinks they can like swing by Denver and pick me up, I can change my entry to a 'definitely'. I can certainly pay for some of the gas, or something. 

[Donkeymog]

Hello this is a thing. I seem to have popped in again at a good time.

 

Like hella I'm down for this but I don't really a have a car (and no plans to get one any time soon because inner-city transportation OP) so I'm also not 100% sure on transportationing. If anyone gets their ducks in a row and thinks they can like swing by Denver and pick me up, I can change my entry to a 'definitely'. I can certainly pay for some of the gas, or something. 

 

Amtrak is like $35.

[SpazCat]

How long will you be driving? Have you factored in the cost of stops? Maps reckons it'll take you guys 18 hours to drive to Fraser, which is crazy. Presumably you will need accommodation for a stop, and food and drink and things to keep the kids amused.

VP and I agreed to just drive straight through with little stops. Yes we be stopping for food, stretching, fueling up, and relieving ourselves.

We might also have Frost riding with us. If he does he has agreed to share the driving. As far as amusement for the kids go, Rose has a tablet, a 3DS, books, and a multitude of toys we can bring. Lily is entertained by about anything new, so getting her something to keep busy will be easy enough.

The only thing that worries me is that we haven't done anything like this. Not with the girls anyway. My parents once drove with me and my sister from Michigan to California. Took us 3 days and it was a nightmare. I was 12 she was 5. She hated her car seat. She would find ways to get out of it. The most notable escape was how she discovered she could stick her fingers down her throat to make herself throw-up. I'll spare the details.

By next July, Rose will be 6 and Lily will be 2. I know I'm bias when it comes to my girls, but they are 100% better behaved then my sister and I were (I have also been told this by many other sources). If anything I think I'll be the one driving people nuts. The excitement for this trip has already motivated me to start working out, start saving money for the trip, and start making preparations for what we need. In the car I'll be bouncing off the walls.

[Stars]

Hello this is a thing. I seem to have popped in again at a good time.

 

Like hella I'm down for this but I don't really a have a car (and no plans to get one any time soon because inner-city transportation OP) so I'm also not 100% sure on transportationing. If anyone gets their ducks in a row and thinks they can like swing by Denver and pick me up, I can change my entry to a 'definitely'. I can certainly pay for some of the gas, or something. 

From the sound of it, some of the drivers will be stopping in Denver to pick up fliers anyway, so I doubt there will be any issue finding you a ride.

[kspr]

speaking of cars, who is driving what there? does it look like a place someone should have a big 4 wheel drive suv? in virginia and tennessee, the little 4 cylinder cars always had trouble keeping pace going up mountain roads. ive driven offroad in a pontiac, buick, and mercury cougar, and by far the pontiac and cougar had the most difficulty with bumpy unpaved roads.

[Stars]

I have a Taurus, the most vanilla of cars.

[Xteven Xavier]

hey my Mercury sable is a ford taurus. I have the same car. and it is way cheaper to drive. I just don't know if it would make it without incident.

[Monkeydog]

I'm going to be driving Bee's Toyota Camry. Since she can't drive my car. :/

 

I'll also most likely stop somewhere on the way. It's approx 17 1/2 hours (or longer, depending on how I get there). Portland is about 12 hours and it takes Bee and I about 4 extra hours to get there.

[SpazCat]

We'll be driving a Subaru Forester. We could take our Saturn SL, which would save on gas, but the Subaru is far more comfortable.

I'n willing to pay more in gas to have the girls, and us, be more comfortable.

[lazlo falconi]

I'm fairly certain Xteven and I will be taking my Chrysler and its big, bad V6.
 

If anyone gets their ducks in a row and thinks they can like swing by Denver and pick me up, I can change my entry to a 'definitely'. I can certainly pay for some of the gas, or something.

 
Google says I'll be driving through Denver, so I'm sure we can take a small detour to grab ya. Depends on how full our car is, though.
 

A lot of stuff about kids in cars.

When I drove from South Dakota to Georgia, we took 3 days to keep >1 year old Naomi from spending too much time in the car. When we drove back and she was almost 3, we made the trip in two days and she was fine both times.

[SpazCat]

When I drove from South Dakota to Georgia, we took 3 days to keep >1 year old Naomi from spending too much time in the car. When we drove back and she was almost 3, we made the trip in two days and she was fine both times.

Good to know. Thanks!

[SpazCat]

Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday that Bottomeguy will likely not be coming. He is looking for employment and has been saving for a Disneyland trip in September.

He is sad he can't go.

[lazlo falconi]

There's still a year to get in. Also tell him to post more.

[SpazCat]

There's still a year to get in. Also tell him to post more.

I'm on it.

[Monkeydog]

I think it's worth being conscious of that at the moment not everyone on that sheet can actually go. 

 

But I guess that's why we have the deadline.