budgeting help

[h0peurhappy]

so since my plan is to drive down to Florida and spend a month there i need to make up a budget of how much money i'm going to allow myself to use. as i've never driven more than 8hours i don't have a clue how much money to guesstimate i'll need for driving expenses (tolls, gas, food etc). as for while i'm there i'm not big into theme parks so that

Comments

[balihaisunset]

You should try AAA's TripTick. You can see it on the website and you can map out your route and then customize by adding attractions, hotels, gas stations, restaurants along the route. We've been AAA members forever and have always just gone to a branch where they'll print you out you're customized route. I'm sure a gps will do the same but I've always loved AAA - for only $50 you have complete roadside assistance which is great for me who has no idea how to change a tire lol

I think mapquest will show the average you can expect to pay for gas for your route too.

[h0peurhappy]

i just went on and tried it but it didn't say anything about tolls or cost. i didn't even see any tolls listen in the directions. however it is pretty cool that you can have gas stations, attractions, hotels etc added in. i'm gonna be added onto the MIL's AAA before i make the drive because it's technically her car. i plan to have my mom mail me her GPS before i drive down there haha

[balihaisunset]

So since Joe's family drives to Disney every three years here's what he remembers as far as tolls go. Sorry they're all estimates.

They always take 95.
- Not sure about tolls from MA but you should know that.
- You'll have to pay a toll for the GW bridge in NY - $10 one way charge).
- One you get into NJ 95 is called the Turnpike and yes it's a toll road. You take a ticket when you get on and pay when you get off but we have EZ pass and I think they'll take Fast Pass if you have it or at least the Mass Pike always took my EZ pass so you should be okay - maybe $5-$7 each way
- Delaware you have to pay bridge tolls. Anywhere from $10 to $13 each way
- He thinks you have to pay tolls in Maryland but not exactly sure. Prepare for $5 each way
- that should be it as far as toll roads and no more bridges that either of us could think of

Estimated it's about $60 in tolls. Hope that helps a little!

[h0peurhappy]

very helpful thank you! i can't believe they charge $10 for a bridge!! crazy. but thanks :)

[ashlee004]

yeah i was gonna tell you to do what she did! Have AAA plan your whole trip down and back up...then you can do what you'd like there. (Also we've driven down and back from florida several times, and my aunt and uncle always stay overnight at hotels, so im sure she'd be willing to tell you what areas are better to stay in. I know one time she was coming home from florida and the room they were in was ridden with cockcoaches, they didnt stay over night..but brought all of their luggage in before noticing it. They had to have all of their stuff sprayed and cleaned before they even went home. It was a mess, and shes a real germaphobe so she'll tell you whats really clean and whats not) Since you're not going to be working will you be collecting unemployment?

[h0peurhappy]

i'm hoping i only have to stay somewhere on the drive back which would be at Bragg. if i need to stop on the drive down it will probably be in VA with family fo FREE lol. YUCK to the cockroaches >.<

lol at your thoughts of unemployment. you can't just collect it because you decide to take off for a month