By Chuck Mai
Getting There
It's almost vacation time – yippee!
Now, where are you going to go? And more importantly, will you drive or fly?
A lot depends on destination, need for flexibility, time frame and tolerance for inconvenience. However, if you're basing your final decision on cost, this analysis of travel expenses getting to five popular vacation spots from Oklahoma City may help. Data was collected May 4.
Denver. Driving round trip, the 1,256 miles (9 hours, 41 minutes each way) will cost you $191 for gas, $32 more than May 4, 2007.
If you fly, the cheapest airfare I could find was $157 per person. A rental car will cost $287 for the week in Denver.
Orlando. If you drive, the 2,732-mile round trip (19 hours, 53 minutes each way) will run you $421 for gas, $71 more than last year.
The cheapest round trip airfare I found was $288. Renting a car for the week in Orlando will cost $167.
San Antonio. Driving the 930 miles round trip (6 hours, 53 minutes each way) will cost $141 for gas, about $24 more than last year.
Flying to San Antonio will run $215 and the rental car will cost $193 for the week.
Yellowstone National Park. The 2,384 mile round trip (17 hours, 37 minutes each way) will consume $361 in gas money, $61 more than a year ago.
If you opt to fly, the cheapest fare I found into Jackson, Wyo., was $366; the rental car ran $319. An option would be Salt Lake City. The airfare to SLC is cheaper, $297, and the car rental expense is less, $225. SLC is 269 miles farther from Yellowstone than Jackson, so you'll have the added expense of $81 for gas. But total costs are less than if you go through Jackson, if you don't mind the extra driving time.
Chicago. Budget $247 for gas round trip if you drive (1,600 miles round-trip; 11 hours, 42 minutes each way). This is $42 more than you would have spent a year ago.
Airfares to O'Hare started at $383 when I checked and a rental car was going for $221 per week.
All driving costs are based on gasoline prices as of May 4 in a vehicle getting 23 miles per gallon. Airfares are per person, round-trip, for flights leaving Oklahoma City June 16 and returning June 23. Car rental rates are based on a mid-size vehicle, two- or four-door, for a week. All travel expense data came from www.AAA.com.
Include en route motel expenses if driving to Orlando, Yellowstone or Chicago. AAA estimates the average
U.S. cost this year for a motel room for two is $164 including one extra person charge for two children. Of course, you certainly can find cheaper (and more expensive) lodgings.
Driving provides greater flexibility and you can take more stuff but be sure to also consider the wear and tear on your vehicle, not just the expense of the gas, and your time.
Flying can get you there more quickly, in most cases, but dealing with increased airport security, cramped planes, delayed flights, missed connections and lost luggage can be a hassle.
Check city and state gasoline prices, updated daily, at www.AAAFuelGaugeReport.com and total fuel costs for your specific trip, based on the make and model of your car, can be figured at
www.FuelCostCalculator.com.
One final note: If you choose to fly, check airfares often — they change daily. Better yet, have your travel agent be on the lookout for low airfares. It's worth it.
