Even with the price of gas continuing to be well above $1 per litre, taking a road trip this summer is still more cost effective than flying within North America.
The British Columbia Automobile Association calculates the vacation cost for a family of four to drive from Vancouver to Disneyland in California and Vancouver to Calgary then compares it with the cost of flying. BCAA also compares the cost of the same road trips over the period of the past five years.
“Travellers need to take into account that increases in gas prices also affect the price of air travel,” said Ken Cousin, BCAA’s associate vice-president, road assist. “Road travel to the U.S. and within Canada is often times less expensive than flying and provides more flexibility to enjoy attractions en route to major tourism destinations like California’s Disneyland and the Calgary Stampede.”
BCAA’s vacation cost comparison involves a family made up of two adults and two children under the age of 12 taking a vacation in July 2011 in a minivan with mid-range accommodations and mid-price flights on Air Canada.
Costs are based on July 2011 rates and any BCAA Show Your Card and Save discounts have been applied. Hotel costs, gas mileage and dollar exchange rates are also considered.
BCAA’s road trip versus air travel cost comparison shows in July 2011, flights for a family of four from Vancouver to either destination, Orange County (Disneyland) or Calgary, are considerably more expensive than the cost of road travel — even when fewer hotel night stays are considered. The vacation cost of flying roundtrip from Vancouver to Orange County (Disneyland) is $3,529.06 while driving round trip costs $1,107.30. The vacation cost of a roundtrip flight from Vancouver to Calgary is $2,370.34 and $858.79 if travelling by vehicle.
Visit bcaa.com/roadtrip for more information on North American road travel and gas-saving tips or create a TripTik customized road trip planner online, which includes detailed maps, up-to-date road advisories, accommodations and points of interest, anywhere in Canada or the U.S.
