renting a car to drive to and from Florida from ct cheaper than flying?
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Im planning a trip to Fla. With my three kids (14,12, &10). This would be a gift for Christmas/daughters ...
From post #1...
I guess, I assumed that. Gift for Christmas, would be done @ Christmas time...
I didn't make that assumption. My parents sometimes gave us gifts for Christmas or birthdays that didn't happen right then and there but waited until a more appropriate time. My birthday is in early March--one year I got an IOU for a bike for my birthday. Once the snow had melted and there were no more ice patches on our street, we went shopping and I got my new bike. It was hot pink and had a banana seat, streamers on the handlebars, and a basket.
Hi. Flying could be cheaper than driving depending on the dates. It is an 18 hour drive. I am from Ct and have now lived in Florida for 23 years. With 5 kids in tow and a dog I would make the trek back & forth at least twice a year. I own a vacation planning visit & can help you with park information and how to do this as economical as possible. If you still need help you can call me at 863-256-5636. I understand completely about seeing your Grams. Mine just passed away last month at 92. You cannot put a price on memories. Good luck, Melissa
Beware, many cars rentals in the Tri-States area specifically disallow taking them out of the tri-states area.
Frankly if your car is in that condition, I would focus my money on that rather than taking the kids to Disney. I never went as a kid, and it didn't kill me. Find cheap tickets on kayak.com and go visit your grandmother for a long weekend. Take the kids to the beach. They will have a great time and you won't spend a fortune.
With only you driving it will take a minimum of two days in each direction, and you'll be exhausted. A car big enough to make that drive with four people and luggage is going to run you $400 for the week and $400 in gas. Add in a hotel night on each way, it will be cheaper to fly.
What?
Where did you hear such a thing? I've NEVER heard of any rental agency disallowing something so arbitrary.
Where did you hear such a thing? I've NEVER heard of any rental agency disallowing something so arbitrary.
Read the contract. I've rented cars at EWR several times that were specifically limited to travel within the tri-state region if I chose unlimited mileage. If I left the region, I could not take an unlimited mileage option. It was one of the majors--Budget, Thrifty, Avis, etc.
I travel from NJ to Florida keys (1350 miles each way) by vehicle at least 4x a year. It ain't fun but it is cheaper vs 2k in plane tickets and then renting a car at the airport. I would check hotwire for prices daily i found its usually about a month to 2 weeks before the trip the price for car rental is best. Sometimes i use priceline with a low bid and my bid gets accepted. I usually rent from Philly airport and always get unlimited mileage. I usually put 2800 to 3200 miles on per trip. i have my own full coverage on my personal vehicle so i never buy the offered insurance. I usually rent for 9 day stretches and have paid as little a $7 a day to $15 a day for an midsize car. that doesn't include airport fees which add about $100 to the rental. I always sleep a few hours at 2 separate rest stops along the way on 95. I usually do the trip with one other person but they don't drive so i do the driving. it takes me 24 to 27 hours with stops to get to the FL keys. with 3 kids you will be stopping more often but Orlando is less than 3 hours from the FL/GA border. my house is still 500 miles from the border Its a big PIA but it will save money especially if you would be renting a car at the airport. make sure you don't hit D.C. at rush hour! I would recommend at least one stop over night each way. I usually start about 3:30AM to maximize my daytime driving and avoid traffic in D.C. My cousin rents hotwire/priceline 7 passenger minivans quite often for florida trips an he usually pays anywhere from $20 to $40 a day. plenty of sleeping room for the kids to sprawl and you might get lucky and get one with video screens behind the headrests. I am making the drive soon for X-mas and New Years taking the boat and having some fun in the sun. Good luck and whichever mode of travel you choose to take just be sure and go and have some fun! YOLO ans so do your kids!
just a FYI: on the chance i have another driver and we don't stop to sleep it takes 20 to 21 hours to make the trip from philly airport to the lower keys.
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