by Metal Chris<
Question by Jen: How much would it cost to drive to Fairbanks, AK from Bozeman, MT?
I understand how to calculate the gas; say if my car gets 30 miles per gallon and it’s roughly 2500 miles, and gas costs, say four bucks on average and I end up with $ 336 dollars in gas money. However, since it’s more than two full days of constant driving, I’d have to stay at a hotel or in the back of my car or something as well as buying food, etc. etc. I am just awful at math, and I can’t figure out even roughly how much this trip would cost me. It’s very important as I am going to college in Fairbanks (at least, I hope) and going by plane is like 30 000 dollars so that’s out. Please help!
Best answer:
Answer by Philip T
Once you’ve worked out the fuel costs, I’d just add maybe two nights in motels each way. You might be able to get a room at a Motel 6 or Super 8, etc., in the $ 50-$ 100/night range — best to book ahead to make sure you’ve got a place to sleep. (Please don’t sleep in your car; [a] you’re not going to get a decent night’s rest, which means you’ll be groggy and more likely to nod off at the wheel during the long drive; and, [b] it exposes you to being a victim of crime.) Add in 3 meals/day; maybe you can squeak by on burgers and such.
Answer by golgafrincham
First, figure at least 10% extra for gas, make it $ 370. Or just round up to $ 400, just to be safe, even though you should get better MPG on the open road. Plan on $ 100 per night, even though hotels shouldn’t cost you that much (you should be able to find places for $ 60-$ 80). You can save money by camping on the way up. Laird Hot Springs is one excellent place to camp, but also very popular, so arrive early. Two days is very doable, but consider taking three days (again, just to build in a safety net). You can take a decent amount of food with you, but figure on $ 20 per day for food, again, just to be safe.
So, on the high side, plan on $ 400 for gas, plus $ 300 for hotels, plus $ 100 for food, plus $ 200 for car problems, you are looking at a cool $ 1000. On the low side, plan on $ 336 for gas, plus $ 40 for food, plus $ 60 for hotel (assuming you camp one of the days), and no contingency for car problems, and you need $ 436. Anywhere in between those two would be tolerable, just depends on how must “risk” you are willing to take, or on how “safe” you want to be.
Looking to save some $ $ $ on the move? Put an ad in craigslist with the dates you are planning to drive up, and offer to carpool and split the costs and driving (if you are particular about your car, spell out the rules of driving BEFORE starting the trip…sucks to have to drive the whole way, or to let someone ruin your car).
Do you have your passport? If not, better get on it.
BTW, I just looked up flights BZN-FAI on AlaskaAir.com, and starting around the middle of July you can get one-way tickets for under $ 400.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Bozeman Rock Climbs – 3rd Edition by High Gravity Press, LLC115041 Features: Specifications: Pages: 304 Edition: 3rd edition Jacket: paperback…
early 1900s photo Presbyterian Church, Bozeman, Mont.. Exterior of church, Bozeman, Montana.early 1900s photo Presbyterian Church, Bozeman, Mont.. Exterior of church, Bozeman, Montana….
