muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 12:33:28 GMT -5
My niece graduates in June 2015 in SW Washington state (not far from Portland, Oregon). We've been thinking about going to this for years. The only time we've gone out there was Christmas '08. So, now I'm trying to put numbers to it and figure out how to pay for it in the next year. Our kids will be 2.5 and 5.5 at the time.
We can fly. We have not flown with the kids before. We'd need to bring their carseats. And since there are 4 of us, rent a car when we get there. If we fly out of the local airport, it will cost us about $2500 for the 4 of us. Add in car rental on top of that. I would probably feel like I need to pay for MIL's ticket on top of ours. We could drive to one of 3 bigger airports between 3-4 hours away and save $100-$200 per ticket. We don't have room in our car with car seats to have MIL in the car with us to make that trip. We flew out of one of those airports in 2008 and the trip back was delayed and we didn't get in until 9:30pm, didn't get home until after 1am. DD does not sit still at all. The thought of her in an airport or sitting on a plane for 2.5 hrs scares me. We would be gone about a week. I'm assuming we can stay at my SIL's house.
I have enough vacation that we could drive. We drove to north Florida earlier this year and once the kids were in the car, they travelled great. We could drive half days and site see half days - see Rock Mnt National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, visit a high school friend in Spokane, visit my cousin stationed on the AFB near Great Falls, MT, see Mt. Rushmore and see some other sites (suggestions welcome). It would take 2 weeks. We would stay in hotels (don't trust the SUV to pull the camper over the Rockies). If I figure 15 mpg and gas at $4 a gallon, I figure $1200 in gas and $950 in hotels (still assuming we can stay at my SIL's house once we are there). So the cost is basically a wash. DH thinks we can save money if we drive, but that would only work if we basically drive straight there and straight back and from our last trip I KNOW that 2 long days in the car was too much for the kids and this would be 3 LONG days in the car to get there and back.
My question is what am I missing? At this point, I'm thinking it is just going to come down to personal preference. But what benefits to flying or what could we do to make it cheaper? What places could we visit if we were driving? What additional benefits to driving am I missing? What cons am I missing?
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jul 9, 2014 12:36:11 GMT -5
What about just you and DH going. Can they stay with Grandma or another relative? Just wondering since it would just make things a whole lot easier.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 12:41:50 GMT -5
I think my SIL would rather we not come if we didn't bring the kids. We won't be going to the actual graduation - it is the week before. If we were to leave the kids for any length of time, we would have to take them to my parent's in Northern Illinois, fly out of an airport up there, then come back through there.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Jul 9, 2014 12:43:26 GMT -5
I think you math is a bit off. For flying, you are not counting the rental car.
I have 3 kids who were close in age. Any time we thought about flying anywhere, I would say "I can find a cheap ticket, but cheap ticket x 5 is not cheap."
I like the idea of leaving the kids home and taking an adult vacation. At there age they will likely not even remember the trip a year from now.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jul 9, 2014 13:04:14 GMT -5
If you fly, your food costs will be lower.
We normally pack lunches and just eat out for dinner for driving vacations, But the last vacation sometimes it was easier to eat out at lunch as well.
You will also spend more sight seeing if you drive than if you fly.
All that said, I would totally drive.
My oldest is 10, and getting busy enough that 2-3 week family vacations are going to be a thing of the past in the very short future between kid activites. And, yes, while your DD won't remember it, your son may. (DS went to South Dakota at 5 and still remembers it). I also think that the kids will get stimulated by seeing new things, even if they don't remember it. And, for me, personally, that is good enough.
But, what about you? Are you interested in seeing some of these places? Your DH? If you could care less about sight seeing or have already BTDT, then I would fly. If this is a good chance to see new things you've never seen before and seeing new places is important to you, I would drive.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jul 9, 2014 13:12:57 GMT -5
You will need to pay for parking at the airport. It's not that much more, but it all adds up. I would totally drive, but take a good look at the route first. I'm not used to mountains, so driving through them is nerve-wracking for me. YMMV However, it still seems like less of a pita than checking a bunch of luggage and dragging car seats along, plus kids and toys and snacks.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Jul 9, 2014 13:23:48 GMT -5
I would drive but added cost is an extra oil change and maybe new tires. With driving you can stop at the store and pick up a order of chicken and potato salad so serve dinner for the family for under $10. Small ice chest for milk and you can carry cereal for breakfast, bring coffee you can make in motel room.
Driving gives you time to teach the kids all the stupid car games like looking for license plates from other places and you can sing stupid songs.
Consider renting a motor home, I don't know what they cost to rent but you would have beds for naps and when staying with SIL a retreat. RV parks would allow you to run and play with maybe a swingset or sandbox.
Maybe rent a truck or car to haul your camper, saves wear on yours.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 13:54:06 GMT -5
If you fly, your food costs will be lower. We normally pack lunches and just eat out for dinner for driving vacations, But the last vacation sometimes it was easier to eat out at lunch as well. You will also spend more sight seeing if you drive than if you fly. All that said, I would totally drive. My oldest is 10, and getting busy enough that 2-3 week family vacations are going to be a thing of the past in the very short future between kid activites. And, yes, while your DD won't remember it, your son may. (DS went to South Dakota at 5 and still remembers it). I also think that the kids will get stimulated by seeing new things, even if they don't remember it. And, for me, personally, that is good enough. But, what about you? Are you interested in seeing some of these places? Your DH? If you could care less about sight seeing or have already BTDT, then I would fly. If this is a good chance to see new things you've never seen before and seeing new places is important to you, I would drive. We are total road trippers. I love it. I was last at Rock MT. National park when I was ~6. We did Dinosaur National Monument and Mt. Rushmore at the same time. I've never driven all the way to the west coast - so I have no clue what is between eastern Utah and the Portland area. Do we spend part of a day in SLC, do we see Craters of the Moon? Then what? So there are things we could totally see I do think DS will remember bits and pieces. Even if they don't remember it, I think they will enjoy the experiences. Same thing with the beach back in May, no they won't remember it, but she still had a blast and we had fun with her. I've been dying to visit my friend in Spokane. Her boys are a year younger than DS and 9 months younger than DD. DH was more about road tripping before he had his back problems. He still likes it, but not as much. A long day in the car is really hard on him right now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:01:48 GMT -5
Wow those are expensive tickets! Have you shopped them?
We we did the drive PA to seattle and back last year, it was great! But my kids are older, not sure I'd have done it that young.
You might be under on hotels... How many nights? ... Longer trip = more food.
Mt Rushmore is a lot smaller than it looks!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:04:09 GMT -5
Also, you do need to be aware that your own car can result in other issues. I came back to $750 in repairs because of running over something that flew off a truck. The windshield also chipped from a rick, but insurance covers that. I mean, that could happen anywhere, but when you are putting on more miles...
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jul 9, 2014 14:06:52 GMT -5
I would drive but added cost is an extra oil change and maybe new tires. With driving you can stop at the store and pick up a order of chicken and potato salad so serve dinner for the family for under $10. Small ice chest for milk and you can carry cereal for breakfast, bring coffee you can make in motel room. Driving gives you time to teach the kids all the stupid car games like looking for license plates from other places and you can sing stupid songs. Consider renting a motor home, I don't know what they cost to rent but you would have beds for naps and when staying with SIL a retreat. RV parks would allow you to run and play with maybe a swingset or sandbox. Maybe rent a truck or car to haul your camper, saves wear on yours. Great ideas. Traveling by motorhome can be so much more comfortable. I wonder what you're supposed to do with little kids in the back these days. Do they need to be strapped in the whole time? Mutt's DH could lay down in a motorhome if his back started hurting.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 14:09:30 GMT -5
Well, I can't shop for exact dates yet since airlines don't have them up (well they may now, but not when I last looked). But yes, my local airport is expensive to fly out of. So at this point it is just a guess. I ran just some general dates to try to get an idea and that is what i came up with. They put in a private "low cost" airport to fly into the resort town south of us, but by this time next year, no major airline will be flying into it (Southwest did until June of this year and Frontier is pulling out in October).
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jul 9, 2014 14:10:45 GMT -5
Since I've seen seatbelts on the couch of my parents motorhome, I assume as long as you're moving, the kids (and adults!) should be strapped down.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:11:55 GMT -5
Well, I can't shop for exact dates yet since airlines don't have them up (well they may now, but not when I last looked). But yes, my local airport is expensive to fly out of. So at this point it is just a guess. I ran just some general dates to try to get an idea and that is what i came up with. They put in a private "low cost" airport to fly into the resort town south of us, but by this time next year, no major airline will be flying into it (Southwest did until June of this year and Frontier is pulling out in October). Can you drive to a bigger airport?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 14:15:42 GMT -5
Well, I can't shop for exact dates yet since airlines don't have them up (well they may now, but not when I last looked). But yes, my local airport is expensive to fly out of. So at this point it is just a guess. I ran just some general dates to try to get an idea and that is what i came up with. They put in a private "low cost" airport to fly into the resort town south of us, but by this time next year, no major airline will be flying into it (Southwest did until June of this year and Frontier is pulling out in October). Can you drive to a bigger airport?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:41:40 GMT -5
I would drive but added cost is an extra oil change and maybe new tires. With driving you can stop at the store and pick up a order of chicken and potato salad so serve dinner for the family for under $10. Small ice chest for milk and you can carry cereal for breakfast, bring coffee you can make in motel room. Driving gives you time to teach the kids all the stupid car games like looking for license plates from other places and you can sing stupid songs. Consider renting a motor home, I don't know what they cost to rent but you would have beds for naps and when staying with SIL a retreat. RV parks would allow you to run and play with maybe a swingset or sandbox. Maybe rent a truck or car to haul your camper, saves wear on yours. Great ideas. Traveling by motorhome can be so much more comfortable. I wonder what you're supposed to do with little kids in the back these days. Do they need to be strapped in the whole time? Mutt's DH could lay down in a motorhome if his back started hurting. definately do NOT rent a motorhome. the ones that you drive only have carseat approved seatbelts in the driving part - the seatbelts in the back are not bolted into the frame. and I can't imagine anyone would let their kids roam around a motorhome unbelted.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:42:25 GMT -5
Since I've seen seatbelts on the couch of my parents motorhome, I assume as long as you're moving, the kids (and adults!) should be strapped down. those seatbelts are not belted into the frame and offer no protection in an accident
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:42:34 GMT -5
Are you driving with MIL?
Eta: I went back and reread. Yeah, I missed some the first time! But still didn't see if mil will drive with you?
I dont ont understand why the thought of an sit plane ride is frightening you, but days on end in a car isnt? Not trying to be discouraging! But that's a long drive with young kids.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:47:28 GMT -5
Great ideas. Traveling by motorhome can be so much more comfortable. I wonder what you're supposed to do with little kids in the back these days. Do they need to be strapped in the whole time? Mutt's DH could lay down in a motorhome if his back started hurting. definately do NOT rent a motorhome. the ones that you drive only have carseat approved seatbelts in the driving part - the seatbelts in the back are not bolted into the frame. and I can't imagine anyone would let their kids roam around a motorhome unbelted. Any motor home newer than maybe 2006 or so has travel designated seats in the back that are marked as such. They have to be either forward or rear-facing (no sideways) and are fitted with belts that you can put child seats in.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:53:28 GMT -5
definately do NOT rent a motorhome. the ones that you drive only have carseat approved seatbelts in the driving part - the seatbelts in the back are not bolted into the frame. and I can't imagine anyone would let their kids roam around a motorhome unbelted. Any motor home newer than maybe 2006 or so has travel designated seats in the back that are marked as such. They have to be either forward or rear-facing (no sideways) and are fitted with belts that you can put child seats in. good to know....thanks for the update.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jul 9, 2014 14:54:30 GMT -5
Since I've seen seatbelts on the couch of my parents motorhome, I assume as long as you're moving, the kids (and adults!) should be strapped down. Adults don't have to be. You can even drink back there while going down the road.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 14:55:30 GMT -5
Any motor home newer than maybe 2006 or so has travel designated seats in the back that are marked as such. They have to be either forward or rear-facing (no sideways) and are fitted with belts that you can put child seats in. good to know....thanks for the update. Like this. Not sure how many they're required to have though.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jul 9, 2014 14:58:53 GMT -5
Since I've seen seatbelts on the couch of my parents motorhome, I assume as long as you're moving, the kids (and adults!) should be strapped down. Adults don't have to be. You can even drink back there while going down the road. *have* to be, maybe not....I'd certainly rather not be bouncing around like a pinball if there was an accident though. I'm a wee bit paranoid sometimes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 15:01:24 GMT -5
good to know....thanks for the update. Like this. Not sure how many they're required to have though. and those seatbelts are bolted into the frame of the motorhome, not just the wood underneath?
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jul 9, 2014 15:05:50 GMT -5
We drove KY to WA and it is one long, butt numbing drive. I'm not sure I'd want to turn around and do it again to go home.
We took the northern route, Lexington to Minneapolis and stayed at my sister's. Then we stopped in Billings MT. The last stretch was Billings to Bellingham and it was very early morning when we got in.
If you doubled the amount of time (I suspect it will be about the same distance), you are looking at 5-6 days in a hotel each direction, along with food. You're probably looking at $1500 on the road, especially if some of those parks you want to visit have entrance fees.
What I would do is look again at one of those bigger airports and see if you can get a direct flight. Then plan on either staying overnight before or after the trip at a hotel near the property. This kills 2 birds with one stone. You'll get free (or very much discounted long term parking) and you don't have to get on the road after getting off of your flight.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 15:11:39 GMT -5
What I would do is look again at one of those bigger airports and see if you can get a direct flight. Then plan on either staying overnight before or after the trip at a hotel near the property. This kills 2 birds with one stone. You'll get free (or very much discounted long term parking) and you don't have to get on the road after getting off of your flight. Unless something has changed from 2008, you cannot get a direct flight from Missouri to Portland.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jul 9, 2014 15:15:11 GMT -5
Are you driving with MIL? Eta: I went back and reread. Yeah, I missed some the first time! But still didn't see if mil will drive with you? I dont ont understand why the thought of an sit plane ride is frightening you, but days on end in a car isnt? Not trying to be discouraging! But that's a long drive with young kids. Because I know how my kids are in the car - good. I know how my kids are when I try to get them to "sit still" (as in not run up and down the aisle) during church. I know how my kids are sitting in a dr waiting room. I know how they do in the car ... I can extrapolate from church and dr. office how they might be in an airport or on a plane. The only time my DD sits remotely still is when she is getting a bottle at bedtime or nap time. She squirms in her high chair. If she is strapped in a car seat, she has books, she has toys, she fights with her brother, but I know how she acts.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 15:16:05 GMT -5
Like this. Not sure how many they're required to have though. and those seatbelts are bolted into the frame of the motorhome, not just the wood underneath? I would assume so. The requirement says they are to have Type 2 Integral lap/shoulder belts which is the same as what is in front.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Jul 9, 2014 15:16:11 GMT -5
What I would do is look again at one of those bigger airports and see if you can get a direct flight. Then plan on either staying overnight before or after the trip at a hotel near the property. This kills 2 birds with one stone. You'll get free (or very much discounted long term parking) and you don't have to get on the road after getting off of your flight. Unless something has changed from 2008, you cannot get a direct flight from Missouri to Portland. Southwest flies Kansas City to Portland. The current fare sale is $147 one way. They run those pretty often.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Jul 9, 2014 15:16:26 GMT -5
I did the exact drive when I moved here with a 1 yr old. It's a LONG drive over the mountains.
I'd Amtrak up to Chicago and then fly from there, I guess.
Or amtrak the whole way?
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