Is this a dumb idea?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Is this a dumb idea?
14
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 9:59am

My parents told me next March they are going to Florida for 3 weeks again to stay at their condo. (This year they went to Texas and hated it, not Texas but the place they stayed.) So Kristen says "Lets go to Florida (it falls during spring break), but we won't go to any amusement parks, just hang out." So I start thinking, well, we could drive down. Its a 24 hour drive, lots of people from Ontario do it, it would be way cheaper than flying (even with gas, food and a night in a hotel), we'd have a way to get around and that's 4 days travel, hang out for 4 days, go to the beach or just sit by the pool, see some country I've never seen. Sigh. Am I insane? Then I start thinking, well, my car is getting pretty old. Its not got any major problems but to put 4000 miles on it in a week might be pushing it. If I rented a car could I drive it down and back or would I have to pay extra? Hmmmmm.


But I'm seriously considering this. Anyone want to meet for lunch along the way? LOL I go right by Washington (I'd love to have more time to stop there). Georgia anyone? Florida?


Okay, maybe I should wait until 2008 to decide. LOL

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2004
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 10:27am

Hi Tam!


That sounds like a nice vacation!!!







iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 10:30am

We've taken a lot of car vacations...not any as long as that, though. If you don't mind driving (I don't like to drive, but my DH does) I think it could kind of be a fun trip especially if you haven't been to any of the places before.

I would look into renting a car also. I have no clue what that costs, but it might not be too bad. If you are at all worried about your car, I wouldn't drive it.

Karin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-1998
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 10:38am

I love questions that start "Is this a dumb idea?" It actually sounds like a great idea, with one huge exception: the driving. Can you really do two 12-hour days of driving? More power to you if you can, but 6 hours is my limit.

You may also want to check on the airfares periodically. It may actually be cheaper to fly depending on the season and when you buy the tickets. (We just got $168 tickets from Boston to Orlando for our upcoming Disney trip.) Of course if you flew, you wouldn't have a car in FL, but I'm assuming your parents do.

If you decide to rent a car, try to find a company that doesn't charge for extra mileage. Some charge if you go over a certain limit; others have unlimited mileage. You should also make sure it's okay for you to leave the country with it and find out whether you'll need an international driving permit. The U.S. gov't is uptight about everything these days, including nice friendly Canadians, so check to make sure the rules haven't changed so you don't have a hard time going thru customs.

If you do take your car, get it seriously checked out by a mechanic first. I remember one lovely family vacation when I was a kid driving cross country with my 3 brothers and our car had to get a new water pump in Wyoming and new brakes in Denver. By the time we arrived in Alabama for a family wedding, my mother was so fed up she got plane tickets for us to fly home and made my dad drive the car back solo. Of course, this was a Ford station wagon, so I'm sure it was not a well-made car.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 10:42am
Tam that might mean you would have to stay a little longer. But why not. Take the trip you only live once......go ahead. Live a little what is it going to hurt?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 11:36am
Longest I've drive is 14 hours from Prince Edward Island back home in one day. It seemed dumb to stop 3 hours from home. So I don't have a problem with the time, I don't mind driving but I think if I did it we'd rent a car to ensure that we don't end up stranded on an interstate somewhere. For us about the cheapest we can get tickets is $350 each. That's alot of money. I did some preliminary checking and a cheap rental would be about $350 for 10 days plus gas and hotel. So we'll see. Its just an idea at this point but I'm tempted, it will be even more tempting in February when I'm sick and tired of cold and snow. LOL

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 11:47am

go for it!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 11:51am
Canada sucks for airfare. I may check around and see about flying from Rochester or Syracuse. Somewhere over the border. But I have lots of time to figure it out. LOL

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-1998
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 12:03pm
Y'know, I hadn't even considered the whole wear and tear thing. It's definitely better to wear out a rental car. If it breaks, the company can supply you with a new one. Good point.
Avatar for ang2gals
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 12:24pm

I'm in DC so if you drive by let me know so I can check my calendar to see if we're in town. But no it doesn't sound crazy...you have a place to stay so that is a big expense saved IYKWIM? I say go for it!!

-- Ang

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2007
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 12:31pm
Maybe you can get a package type thing that includes a plane tix/car rental to drive in ?

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