With all of the talk about high gasoline prices, I thought that it might be interesting to track how much gasoline we used while on vacation.

Distance

Estimate (according to Google Maps): 287 miles

Actual distance going to the Condo: 283.9 miles

Actual distance returning from the Condo: 277.10 miles

On the way, we traveled mostly on Interstates. On the way back, we used a couple of side-road, so there is a slight difference in actual mileages.

Speed

Estimated travel speeds (prior to trip): 60-80 mph

Actual average speed going to the Condo: 69.9 mph

Actual average returning from the Condo: 68.4 mph

Travel Time

Estimated travel time (prior to trip): 287 miles / 70 mph = 4 hours and 6 minutes

Actual travel time going to the Condo: 283.3 miles / 69.9 mph = 4 hours 4 minutes

Actual travel time returning from the Condo: 277.10 / 68.4 mph = 4 hours and 4 minutes

Amazingly, according to our GPS, it took EXACTLY the same amount of time to travel to and from the condo. The trip home was actually 15 minutes longer, due to the fact that we stopped to eat supper. The times above represent ‘actual time driving in the car’.

Gasoline Usage

Estimated gallons of gas to be used (prior to trip) = 287 miles / 21 mpg = 13.66 gallons

Estimated cost of a gallon of gasoline (prior to trip) = $3.80

Estimated gasoline cost to go to the Condo (prior to trip) = 13.66 gallons = $51.91

Actual gallons of gasoline used to travel to the Condo: 283.3 miles / 21.9 mpg = 12.94 gallons

Actual cost of a gallon of gasoline used to travel to the Condo: $3.80

Actual gasoline cost to go to the Condo: 12.94 gallons = $49.17

Actual gallons of gasoline used to return to the Condo: 277.10 miles / 21.4 mpg = 12.95 gallons

Actual cost of a gallon of gasoline used to return from the Condo: $3.89

Actual gasoline cost to return from to the Condo: 12.95 gallons = $50.38

Totals

Our trip, to the Condo and back, covered 560.40 miles and our van used $99.55 worth of gasoline. Surprisingly, we actual had better gas mileage on our way to the Condo, even though our average speed was slightly higher. I’d would attribute this to the fact that on the way back, we had more items in our van. Plus, we faced a lot more stop-and-go traffic.

All-in-all, $100 isn’t a lot to spend, if the trip is worth it. And, I couldn’t have been more happy with our condominium or our trip as a whole. The kids had a blast and the weather was amazing.

As a side note: We used a minimal amount of gasoline while at the condominium, but I didn’t want to spend my whole week, tracking gasoline usage. I’m a nerd, but not THAT much of a nerd! Also, gasoline in Florida, at least along the roads we traveled, seemed a bit higher than gasoline in Georgia. Of course, this could be due to the fact that we were in a more ‘touristy’ area.

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With all of the talk about high gasoline prices, I thought that it might be interesting to track how much gasoline we will use while on vacation.

To The Condo Estimates: Distance And Speeds

Distance between our house and the condo (one way) = 287 miles

Travel speeds between our house and the condo (average) = 60-80 mph

Most of the trip (276 miles of it) will be spent driving on the interstate. 11 miles of the trip will be on standard highways and roads. For calculations sake, I’ll assume an average speed of 70 mph.

To The Condo Estimates: Travel Time

Time between our house and the condo (one way) = 287 miles / 70 mph = 4 hours and 6 minutes

Time spent stopping to eat lunch and take breaks for the kids = 1 hour

Total estimated travel time = 5 hours and 6 minutes

To The Estimates Estimates: Gasoline Usage

Average miles per gallon of gasoline = 21 mpg

Our van has a digital gauge which measures, among other things, miles per gallon and miles left until tank is empty. Tomorrow, I’ll fill up and make a note of how much I put into the 20 gallon tank. Over the past two weeks, the van has averaged 21.4 mpg. During the trip, our family of five, plus all of our luggage and stuff for the new baby will be packed into the van, so I’m assuming that the average miles per gallon will decrease, at least a little.

Gallons of gas used = 287 miles / 21 mpg = 13.66 gallons of gasoline

Cost of a gallon of gasoline = $3.80

Estimated gasoline cost to go to the condominiums = 13.66 gallons = $51.91

I’m a pretty average driver. I like to hit the interstate, set my cruise control on about 75 and just ride. Today, I changed the oil in the van, checked the tires, and changed the air filter. The back of the van will be loaded down with our suit cases and a small cargo bag will ride on top of the van. Once we arrive and get settled, I’ll let you know if I did a good job of estimating our travel time, the amount of gasoline we used, and the cost of gas.

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In October we paid cash for a new (to us) minivan. Here are some thoughts, about the minivan, six months later -

Value - I think that we got a great deal. By going with a used van, our total costs were about 60% less than they would have been, had we gone with a new van.

Ride - Our minivan is a Chrysler - and it has a quiet, comfortable ride. In fact, when you sit in the front seat and crank it up, it’s hard to tell if the engine is running, it’s that quiet. The front seats have plenty of legroom, but the back two sets of seats are a little cramped. We own the ‘base’ model - and it’s short for a minivan. But, our kids are small and there is more than enough room for them and their friends. In fact, due to the fact that it’s smaller than our old van, our daughter, who sits on the very back bench seat, can look over and check on the new baby.

Features - The van came equipped with satellite radio and the middle seats have built-in child restraints. Other than that, the van has pretty basic features. With three kids and ball practice, the cloth seats work just fine. We wish that the van had power-doors, but when trying to save money, there are times when we must with the fact that we can’t have everything that we want. I would love to have a factory-installed navigation system, but, for now, we just use our inexpensive, portable GPS. - So far, the van hasn’t given us any problems. The tires were new when the van arrived and windshield wipers are in good shape. The oil has been changed twice and it has a new air filter. From time to time, there is a ’squeaking noise’ that comes from the inside of the the right-rear door. When we take the van in for it’s 60,000 mile tuneup, I’ll ask our mechanic to take a look at the door. Other than that, everything about the van is great.

I must say, we have really enjoyed our new (to us) minivan. I was hesitant about purchasing an automobile sight-unseen, but everything has worked out, really well. My wife loves the van and she even lets me drive it, from time to time.

Side note - For those of you who might be interested, baby number three hasn’t been born yet. My wife is resting in the other room, as I type this, so I’m trying to be very, very quiet. In fact, just to be on the safe side, I’d better go outside and vacuum out the van, just in case ‘today is the day’! New babies rock!

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2007 was an amazing year for me, NCN, and my site, No Credit Needed. I thought that it would be fun to take a month-by-month tour through my favorite posts from the last year. If you are a new reader, I hope these posts will give your a sense of who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m trying to go. If you are a long-time reader, thank you for your support.

Here are a few of my favorite posts from October of 2007.

October 3 - Day 24 Of 33 Days And 33 Ways To Save Money And Reduce Debt: Roth IRA - Find out what happens if you invest $4,000 for 25 years at 8%?

October 9 - What Is An ESA? - Coverdell Education Savings Account

October 9 - Reader Poll - Are You Debt Free? Share Your Story - This poll is still open! Over 600 people have voted and several have shared their stories. Go vote.

October 15 - How To File A Fraud Alert With Credit Bureaus - I lost my wallet and I had file a fraud alert.

October 18 - Are You Hiding Debt From Your Spouse? This post was inspired by a segment featuring Suze Orman on the Oprah Show.

October 19 - How I Live Without Using Credit Cards - My Simple System For Living On A Budget - This is one of the most popular posts here at No Credit Needed.

October 22 - I Just Purchased A Mini-Van - How I Purchased A Used Vehicle Without Borrowing Money

Throughout February, I’ll continue to highlight my favorite posts from 2007.If you haven’t done so, please consider subscribing to No Credit Needed. (It’s free!)

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My wife and I recently purchased a new (to us) minivan.  We also own a 2001 Honda Accord and a 1994 Ford F-150.  I drive the car, my wife drives the minivan.  The old truck, at this point, is basically just a trash-truck - I use it to haul trash, carry things from the hardware store to home, and pull various trailers.  The van is in great condition.  The Honda is in good condition.  The truck?  The truck will crank - and it does what I need it to do, move stuff from point A to point B.

I really like the Honda, but my wife and I realized something a few months ago.  When the new baby arrives, our family will no longer ‘fit’ inside of the car!  My daughter is 8, and she rides in a booster.  My son is 4, and he rides in a forward-facing car seat.  The new baby, of course, will ride in a rear-facing car seat.  We tried every possible configuration, but the seats simply will not fit.

We have some decisions to make.  We can -

1. Keep things as they are and simply use the van when we take family trips.  This will require a little planning and would probably lead to some inconvenience.
2. Sell the car, keep the truck, and buy a slightly larger car / SUV / minivan.  This will solve the space issue, but we’ll still have 3 automobiles to insure and maintain.
3. Sell the car and the truck, and buy a crew-cab truck, with room for all three car seats.  This will reduce the number of automobiles from 3 to 2, but will increase monthly gas bills.

For those who might be wondering, we live in a area where we ‘have’ to have a truck

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