Road Trip budgets ?
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
Road Trip budgets ?
Sit'n here thinking about what I would do if I were to lose my job to the economy.
-Look for work
-Open a business
-Burn thru my 401k and wellfare feeling sorry for myself
-'F'-It and go for a ride
Well, guess I wouldn't choose number 3 there. But might not jump right into 1 or 2 immediately.
For those who take cross country trips, what do you budget? I guess there would be a wide spectrum, IE.... stay in hotels, motels, campsites, side of road.... eat at dives, nice resturantes.... etc...
Curious to hear some ideas.
What is your daily or weekly on-the-road budget, and what kind of 'living-conditions' does that provide ?
-Look for work
-Open a business
-Burn thru my 401k and wellfare feeling sorry for myself
-'F'-It and go for a ride
Well, guess I wouldn't choose number 3 there. But might not jump right into 1 or 2 immediately.
For those who take cross country trips, what do you budget? I guess there would be a wide spectrum, IE.... stay in hotels, motels, campsites, side of road.... eat at dives, nice resturantes.... etc...
Curious to hear some ideas.
What is your daily or weekly on-the-road budget, and what kind of 'living-conditions' does that provide ?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville
Well, I tend to go more towards the middle as far as expenses. I never camp and usually look for modest accommodations (Hampton Inns are my rooms of choice). Eating is whatever is closest to the road unless it is a primary destination. I would say that $200 a day covers everything.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
I'd have to agree with the $200 per day number as well. I don't care to camp after 12 hours on the road so it's hotels for me. I always try to stay at hotels within walking distance of a sit down meal (not fast food) where I can have a drink. Chili's restaurants and places like that tend to get my business. I also like to give family owned restaurants my money if they look decent. Given a choice I'll always stay at a nationally recognized hotel chain but have stayed at a few small motels that were just fine. I'll ask the check the room first on the mom and pop hotels. I 'll always stop way before or way past big cities to avoid the stupid high rates. I've never had to pay over $100 yet for a room.
Now I've got a buddy that probably does 20,000+ a year on his Goldwing. He mostly camps and sets his budget at $100 a day and usually stays on budget.
Now I've got a buddy that probably does 20,000+ a year on his Goldwing. He mostly camps and sets his budget at $100 a day and usually stays on budget.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 4
From: Kalifornia
Hey, all you highrollers... he just hypothetically lost his job. I don't think $1400/week is going to fit within his budget. 
I haven't had the time to take any long trips (more than 2-3 days) but I figure I would try to budget $100 or less per day if I were going to be on the road for any length of time.
I haven't had the time to take any long trips (more than 2-3 days) but I figure I would try to budget $100 or less per day if I were going to be on the road for any length of time.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
If you are really trying to cut costs check out:
http://www.couchsurfing.org/
Basically it's a list of people that will let you crash at their place for free. You make all the arrangements beforehand, show up, crash and leave. Free is good.
http://www.couchsurfing.org/
Basically it's a list of people that will let you crash at their place for free. You make all the arrangements beforehand, show up, crash and leave. Free is good.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
huh..
After posting this, I was thinking about it on the ride home and was figuring about $100 day would sound right. And that's getting rooms, not camping.
Might not eat as well or often as I'd want. But I think that amount would keep me from needing to sleep in the dirt. I would guess $200/day would be a pretty nice trip.
As micahpop pointed out.... hypothetically just out of work and wondering what I'd need to set aside to take a long trip while I'd have the time off.
After posting this, I was thinking about it on the ride home and was figuring about $100 day would sound right. And that's getting rooms, not camping.
Might not eat as well or often as I'd want. But I think that amount would keep me from needing to sleep in the dirt. I would guess $200/day would be a pretty nice trip.
As micahpop pointed out.... hypothetically just out of work and wondering what I'd need to set aside to take a long trip while I'd have the time off.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 4
I say budget $200, and always try to do better. Lots of $50 hotels that are tolerable. And you have to have something in your back pocket for when the bike breaks. At least some means of getting you and your ride home if you find yourself without an engine. This may be a credit card, or a willing friend with a pickup, but you gotta have something. You can't budget too much lower just because you don't have income. If you can't afford it, stay home. I am not saying it can't be done for $100 a day, just saying thats a bit lean. Better to plan on more, and bring some of it back, than it is to find yourself short. Good luck, it's a lot of fun. I think the last time I went out for 10 days, I spent $1400 or so, not including Jimmy Buffett tickets in Tampa.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 512
Likes: 13
From: East Tennessee
My last long trip was for 16 days.. I spent roughly $170 /day total.. I stayed at motels outside the big cities, mostly Super 8's and would eat their "free" breakfast.. and catch something very simple at lunch if I even ate lunch.. BUTT, at night I would always get a good meal.. One thing, don't trust the motel clerks about good places to eat.. I have been directed to some greasy, stinking, noisy restaurants and that is not what I want in the evening.. I believe being on a bike they all think you want to drink and raise hell.. If you know the next night destination try and use the public internet in most hotels to book your next night.. internet prices are cheaper.. Always ask for their 'walk away price' thats the price they should offer you before you walk away..
