That driving costs less than flying is no secret. This is most evident for families – the greater the number of kids, the greater the potential for savings. During 2006 and 2007, the average North American air fare with a Canadian airline was about $250. That means a family of five would have had to pay $1,250 to fly. While this cost may rise or fall depending on the distance and time of year, the cost for a car to cruise the highways remains static, no matter how many people, and animals, fill it.
Consider that the average 2009 minivan uses about 10 kilometres of highway driving per litre. A distance of 1500 kilometres (from Toronto, Ontario to Saint John, New Brunswick, for example) will guzzle 150 litres of gas. If fuel costs $1.50 per litre (a pretty high estimate), the entire family can travel there and back for a reasonable $450. Even if an overnight stay is needed to break up the long drive, since most road side motels are less than $100 per night, a family of five still saves half the cost of air fare. Throw the dog in the car – or a cat for feline fans – and you’re saving another $50 that the airlines charge passengers to stow Fluffy in a kennel that fits under the seat.
My husband and I have driven from Toronto to Florida four times in the past five years. Our fuel costs ranged from $300 US to $500 US – the fluctuations dependent upon the price of gasoline that year. We usually stop overnight in a hotel each way, costing us anywhere between $60 and $150 per night – the scale for price directly correlating with the scale for luxury. We’ve saved at least $700 by taking the low road over the high air which left us more cash to spend at Florida’s outlet malls (and a day trip or two to Disney World.)
Other than general wear and tear on the vehicle and that extra stop at McDonald’s along the way, road trippers don’t have to fear unplanned costs en route. We recently purchased a CAA membership for those emergencies that we always fear, but thankfully have never occurred. That annual cost will help ensure a flat tire or lost keys is dealt with by professionals both quickly and expenditure-free.
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Driving is a great way to travel with the kids to Florida. Cheap and fun, too. Although those flights from Buffalo are pretty cheap if you’re willing to fly from there.
Don’t forget the savings of anywhere from $400 to 800 for car rental when you fly to your destination!