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Road Trip!

346 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 9:09 PM

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What is this discussion about? Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Automotive News

    

Messages Page 1 of 35

#1 of 346 Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? by KarenS HOST

Apr 29, 2011 (11:56 am)

When I was a kid, our vacations were always a road trip to various state and national parks. All seven of us slept in my Dad's canvas tent that was only meant for four people. We had most of our meals at the campsite prepared over a wood fire or the camp stove. It was an inexpensive and fun time, even if my brother's feet always ended up in my face by morning.
 
Now? Who can afford the luxury of a road trip with gas prices pushing towards $5 a gallon? What are your vacation plans this summer?

#2 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [KarenS] by andre1969

Apr 29, 2011 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (Apr 29, 2011 11:56 am)
Normally in late June, two friends and I go out to Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. This year, we're planning on stretching the trip out, hitting Cedar Point for a couple days and then going down to Kinds Island, near Cincinatti, for a couple days.
 
So, in my case, the total miles will actually go up a bit. It's about 420 miles from my place to Cedar Point, or around 840 total, but this time around, swinging down to Kings Island and then back home, I think might bump the total up to around 1100 miles.
 
My buddy's '06 Xterra got around 22-23 mpg on that trip last year. I had thought about taking my '00 Park Ave this year, as it might get more like 27-28, maybe a bit better. But it also takes premium fuel, which would cut into the savings. And while it's more comfortable for passengers, it won't hold as much crap. And my two friends are sort of like Mr and Mrs Howell, packing for a three-hour tour!

#3 of 346 I am planning to... by explorerx4

Apr 29, 2011 (3:05 pm)

take a bunch of road trips.
Next week, getting the kids back from school.
Closest one is 750 miles one way.
Summer vaca, about the same one way.
Next fall, going to a bunch of college football games.
Closest will be 120 miles one way(more than one time), longest 750 one way.
Just going to have to suck it up and pay whatever it costs.
Other than that, I can't afford to leave the house.

#4 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [KarenS] by michaell

Apr 30, 2011 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (Apr 29, 2011 11:56 am)
My wife and I are taking a road trip towards the end of May. Our house in Colorado (halfway between Denver and Colo Springs) to Sedona, AZ. The itinerary breaks down like this.
 
Day 1: Castle Rock to Santa Fe - 367 miles
Day 2: Santa Fe to Sedona - 434 miles
Days 2 - 6: Sedona and surrounding areas
Day 6: Sedona to Santa Fe
Day 7: Santa Fe to Castle Rock
 
I figure 1600 miles there and back, with another 100-200 miles of general running around driving.
 
At 23 MPG (EPA highway number for our 2010 Mazda CX-7), we're looking at about 78 gallons of premium - at $4 per gallon, that comes out to $312.
 
But, to us, the drive is part of the trip, not just a means to an end.
 
I just wish there was better scenery on I-25 in northern New Mexico.

#5 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [michaell] by steve_ HOST

Apr 30, 2011 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: michaell (Apr 30, 2011 1:26 pm)
Take 285. It's all about the drive, right?

#6 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [steve_] by michaell

May 01, 2011 (10:06 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Apr 30, 2011 1:28 pm)
Take 285. It's all about the drive, right?
 
I've done 285 from Salida to Denver a number of years ago. Nice scenery, I agree.
 
Probably the same in NM as well, would expect.
 
Hmm .. just did Google Maps on that route and it's about the same distance (379 miles on 285 vs. 364 using I-25).
 
However ...
 
The speed limit on I-25 is 75, whereas on 285 I'd guess it would be 65, max. So, a bit longer in the car on day 1.
 
Have to discuss with the wife; perhaps a different route might change things up a bit.

#7 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [michaell] by steve_ HOST

May 01, 2011 (10:28 am)

Replying to: michaell (May 01, 2011 10:06 am)
Bit longer, but so long as the deer aren't out, you can make pretty good time on most stretches. Espaņola is a drag though and no easy way to bypass it, so best add in another half hour for that town.

#8 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [KarenS] by gambit293

May 01, 2011 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (Apr 29, 2011 11:56 am)
Of course, it's all relative. In this country, what are your alternatives to the car trip? TSA and the airline industry have worked overtime to make flying more inconvenient over the years. And gas prices will hit airline tickets just as hard. It looks like we're decades from developing an efficient, reliable, extensive passenger rail system. So when you talk about the death of the car trip, you're really just talking about the death of the trip. And these are never deaths, just slowdowns/mini-recessions.

#9 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [gambit293] by fintail

May 01, 2011 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: gambit293 (May 01, 2011 2:44 pm)
With the way existing infrastructure is crumbling, I have to wonder if the US will ever develop such a system.
 
In the dumbed down brave new globalized world, perhaps the masses simply won't travel much.

#10 of 346 Re: Family Road Trips - A thing of the past? [steve_] by michaell

May 02, 2011 (6:46 am)

Replying to: steve_ (May 01, 2011 10:28 am)
Bit longer, but so long as the deer aren't out, you can make pretty good time on most stretches. Espaņola is a drag though and no easy way to bypass it, so best add in another half hour for that town.
 
Good to know. The other part of the trip that would be a drag is US 50 from Canon City to Salida - can't really make good time there, either.
 
The more I think about it, the more I'll probably just take I-25 ... get to Santa Fe early enough for a nice dinner and a walk through the Plaza. We're at a hotel only a couple of blocks away.

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