Best way to reduce gasoline cost?

[Textronics]

My son is getting remarried. We are in Oklahoma and he lives in New
Hampshire. We looked at taking the RV & it will cost us almost $2000 in gasoline alone (not counting other RV related expenses like park fees, etc.). As much as I’d love to RV to his wedding, it just seems like there is no way to afford it. :(

[1320Fastback]

The age old recommendations of driving like a egg shell is under the gas pedal and not going above 55mph are about all you can do.

Aerodynamic drag increases 4x with the doubling of speed so it takes 4 times the power to go 70 than 35 as example. When you are driving a parachute down the highway drag is you number one killer of mpg.

[dexters]

Originally Posted by Textronics

My son is getting remarried. We are in Oklahoma and he lives in New
Hampshire. We looked at taking the RV & it will cost us almost $2000 in gasoline alone (not counting other RV related expenses like park fees, etc.). As much as I’d love to RV to his wedding, it just seems like there is no way to afford it. :(

How much are other alternatives?

Bus?

Flying?

Drive car?

[NLOVNIT]

You have to do a side-by-side comparison of fly vs drive car vs driving coach with all anticipated expenses under each column. Only then will you be able to see the differences in cost to you.

We've done this when attending engagements out of state. Most of the time, leaving the coach behind is the less expensive alternative.

Lori-

[masdixdragon]

5 miles to the gallon each way?...1690 mi (center to center 1 way) @ 2.75 avg
flying seems far cheaper especially booked in advance

[TonyMac]

Oh yeah, I wanna be a fly on the wall when this comes up: "Honey, I did the math, it's cheaper to fly. Just stuff alll your queep in this one overhead bag. And rather than rent a car, we's gonna bum rides from our new family."

Dude, you won't be outta the hospital in time for the wedding.

[Soppy]

Unless your planning to stay for a couple of months , just take the car . You should be able to do the trip in a couple of days.

[Textronics]

I detest flying -- well I detest getting shaken down by TSA. I haven't even looked at plane fare cost. We may just have to drive the van.

[tcg]

Something else to consider, what if you breakdown? In either your RV or vehicle.

Can you afford to miss the big day? Can you afford to leave the the RV or vehicle and grab a rental car if you breakdown?

Flying may be the cheapest option.

[wildtoad]

Does the wedding date cause you to get there is a hurry? Pressing matters at home require you to get back quickly? If either one is a Yes, then either Fly or Drive. If no to each, then just make an enjoyable trip out of it.

PS, don’t forget the cost of pet sitter/boarding costs.

[Whirrlly]

what is your REAL drive time to this wedding?
are you retired and have all the time in the world to start WAY before and enjoy this trip out to the wedding?

a lot of factors involved on a personal level here.

but if no time is really available I would fly in and celebrate and fly out back home BUT if you are afraid to fly, that is another problem. Afraid to fly or hate flying so much you just don't consider it as an option.

Short on time literally then it is all about how fast and cheap you can get out. Very long drive, you can not get around a true discount on gas even with a 'good sam card discount card' or any other situation applied as price of gas is price of gas with very small discounts to any of us.

best of luck and let us know how you are getting there and CONGRATS on him finding another love in his life and moving forward!!

[Textronics]

We are retired & can go at our leisure. Don’t have a wedding date yet so no hurry to get there either. We do travel with 4 cats and a dog. We for sure will take the cats. May board the dog. Our “car” is a 2018 Chrysler van so not too worried about breaking down. I don’t hate flying; I hate TSA clearance. Still lots of thinking to do.

[JFNM]

I guess I'm a bit dim but I don't understand the question. None of us have any control over the price of fuel - nothing you can do.

You do have some control over how much fuel you consume to include not starting the engine. Back in high school we used to do things like shut down the engine and coast down hills, make friends hop out and push the car at stoplights, and so forth - none of those are probably applicable here (nor intelligent ).

In most cases, the cost of fuel is only part of the cost. Think about what it would cost for hotel, restaurants, boarding of animals, etc. if you were to drive car/fly/etc. There is also a "cost" to staying with a relative (in their home), at least IMO!!

Finally, slow down! Take a month and enjoy the trip!

[redcolorado]

When my niece got married we made it a 3 week camping trip with the wedding in the middle.