Westward bound

StephenB.2006

So the plan at this early stage is for myself and two friends to depart from Virginia by way of DC to Chicago and from Chicago to Seattle aboard.. wait for it.. TRAINS! Yep. 3 day train ride. $759 just for seats or $1k for a room for the long haul. Did I mention that's one way?

teamquiggan

you should join the Cross country thuper trip!

StephenB.2006

Does the cross country super trip involve trains? I thought it was limited to cars. My car is incapable of making the journey as are the vehicles of my two comrades.

Moe Fwacky

The CCST is a vehicle convoy. Head over to www.ccsupertrip.org for more details, or just check out the CCST thread in this forum. There's rental information that may be applicable to your needs.

Moe_Fwacky wrote: »

The Math

The Planes, Trains and Automobiles Comparison

This post will concern itself with two things. The first is the cost of renting a vehicle divided into the per-person cost of the trip using three different vehicle types. The second is to compare those per-person figures to that of Continental Airlines, Amtrak and Greyhound tickets.

The benefit of renting a vehicle lies in the fact that you would not be putting the wear and tear onto your own car, and have the opportunity of renting a larger vehicle to take more passengers in comfort.

The Rentals
For reference, I have used figures available on Budget.com using Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as the pickup location. This location offers rates with unlimited miles (which is not the case with all Budget locations). This is an important consideration when deciding to rent. Do not restrict yourself to Budget rentals when considering your own rental.

Vehicle 1: 12-passenger van - Ford E350 or similar
2-week rental cost: $1734.01

Budget.com wrote:

12-passenger, 26mpg. Planning a team office activity or have a great big family? Your super journey begins with a super 12-passenger van!
• dual airbag protection• AM/FM stereo• compact disc & cassette player• armrest • cruise control•power locks• power windows• automatic transmission• V8 engine •power mirrors• rear defroster• front wheel drive• tilt-steering wheel•anti-lock brakes• power brakes• power steering• automatic overdrive• air conditioning• map lights

Vehicle 2: Minivan - Ford Freestar or similar
2-week rental cost: $699.64

Budget.com wrote:

7-passenger, 23mpg. This roomy mini van is your ticket to family adventures and travel memories. Did somebody say “road trip”?
• dual airbags• AM/FM stereo• compact disc• cassette player• armrest•cruise control• power locks• power windows• automatic transmission• powerful V6 engine•power mirrors• rear defroster• front wheel drive• tilt-steering wheel• anti-theft system• anti-lock brakes• power steering• automatic overdrive• air conditioning• remote keyless entry

Vehicle 3: intermediate SUV - Ford Escape or similar
2-week rental cost $491.81

Budget.com wrote:

5-passenger, 22mpg. The Ford Escape offers sporty styling and surprising comfort. Whether you’re zipping around town or planning a long road trip, it’s just plain fun to drive!
• dual airbag protection• AM/FM stereo• armrest• compact disc player• air conditioning• map lights• power locks• power mirrors• power windows•automatic transmission• tilt-steering wheel• anti-lock brakes• rear defroster• front wheel drive• anti-theft system• cruise control• power driver seat• power brakes• power steering• safety rear door locks• remote keyless entry• automatic transmission• powerful V6 engine• traction control

The Breakdown
For comparison on all three vehicles, we will be using the distance from the Avon, OH waypoint to PAX and back. This comprises a total of 4,796 miles. In addition, each vehicle will not be filled to suggested capacity. Gas prices will be estimated at $3/gallon.

Vehicle 1:
Passengers: 9 (of 12)
Gas needed: 185 gal/$555
Rental cost: $1734.01
Cost per person: $255

Vehicle 2:
Passengers: 5 (of 7)
Gas needed: 209 gal/$627
Rental cost: $699.64
Cost per person: $270

Vehicle 3:
Passengers: 4 (of 5)
Gas needed: 218 gal/$654
Rental cost: $491.81
Cost per person: $290

The Comparison
Now we compare these figures to those of a planes, trains and buses. We'll also include previously gathered figures from last year, using our own vehicles. All figures below are cost-per-person. None of the tickets include special offers. The tickets are round-trip from Cleveland. Also, I've included travel time, for those of you who are concerned with travel time and have been organized from shortest to longest modes of transport.

Continental Plane Ticket: $400, 5 hours there. 4 hours return
Rental Vehicle 1: $255, est 48-50 hours each way
Rental Vehicle 2: $270. est 48-50 hours each way
Rental Vehicle 3: $290, est 48-50 hours each way
T2K (06): $167, 50 hours there. 40 hours return *Note this car joined us in Mishawaka, IN in 2006 as the cause for the discrepancy in times
Amtrak Ticket: $308, 52 hours there. 51 hours return
Deep Diver (06): $175, 54 hours there. 44 hours return
Greyhound Ticket: $246 57 hours there. 63 hours return

The Conclusion
Clearly, the type of rental car chosen has a dramatic impact on price. However, divided among more people, the larger vehicles prove more fruitful. To fly is by far the fastest and most expensive. The Amtrak and Greyhound are competitive Rental car w/gas prices. However, it is more timely, more affordable and more fun on the Suptertrip. This noted, I hope it will help to convince more of you to join us this year. Just make sure you choose what works best for your crew, and don't feel limited to the vehicles shown herein. Do your own research and make sure, above all else, that you are getting a rate that includes unlimited miles!

Also note that all gas prices were estimated at $3/gal which was the approximate average price of gas during last year's Supertrip.

StephenB.2006

I've actually just, as in five minutes ago, received an offer of access to a vehicle more capable of cross country travel. Now my only concern is comfort and wakefulness. Time to examine the supertrip further!

Moe Fwacky

Comfort and wakefulness are both dependent on the number of people going with you, weighed against how many of them are driving. Example, if you only have 2 drivers in a standard full sized vechile (such as a Buick Century), only take on one other passenger. If 3 or 4 are driving, you should be good there. Larger vehicles allow for more people, but make sure to leave some stretching out room. If you have 4 drivers, and each drives 10 hours, that's most of the trip right there. You guys could then split up the remaining bits of the trip and sleep when you get to Seattle. Also book your hotel now before they're all gone.

[edit:] also there's a group coming out of Maryland. You could coordinate to meet with them, and then take to the road to meet the rest of us together.