Planning your last minute summer travels

Now that summer is coming to an end, the last minute travel season is full steam ahead. the Two words I keep hearing about what people want are: “quick” and “easy”.

First lets look at the pros and cons on taking a last minute road trip. Then we can look at how to get a last minute flight or vacation package.

Road trip pros:

1. You’re in charge. You control your time of departure, arrival time, and what stops to make along the way.

2. You won’t have to endure eating any airplane food. Sorry airlines- but unless you’re fortunate enough to travel business or first class, the meal is more like eating from a gas station refrigeration section shelf rack and implementing the use of a microwave. On the road, you can chose from several stores or stops that enable you to eat what you want.

3. You can change your mind. Maybe you thought that a visit to a landmark would be a highlight in your travels, until you arrive and feel completely disappointed. Don’t fret. On a road trip, you simply pack up and go. No fuss. Or maybe you arrive and you never want to leave. Ok, for most of us that is not an option, but having the option to stay an additional day or two in that place can be just as gratifying.

4. Pack what you see fit. There are no rules as too how much you bring with you, how big the bottles of liquid must be in order for them not to be confiscated, no rules on weight, etc. As long as it fits in your trunk or available seating area, it is all fair play.

5. Saving money. Oh how the gas prices had us stirring in our seats, however, the cost for four people to travel long distance by car is still much less expensive than purchasing four plane or train tickets.

Road trip cons:

1. Driving takes more time. This is not always a bad thing- but for some people, those who don’t have the patience to sit in a car for more than two hours, it might cause them to feel like a plane ticket is the better bargain.

2. You have to do all of the work. There is no pilot, and you have to be awake, alert and prepared to be responsible along the drive. Some people prefer this, since they like to be the person in control. However, it must be said, you’re the one who does the work.

3. Bad weather can affect your trip. This is debatable- if you have ever been to the airport on time and have arrived just in time to find out that your flight was cancelled because of weather, you know that regardless of your means of travel, weather can have an affect either way. But it needs to be said, bad road conditions can impact your drive.

4. Wear and tear on your car. Most of us don’t mind the idea of putting our stuff into a car and driving for countless hours to arrive where we want to go. Not everyone has a vehicle that they trust to go quite that far though. If you’re forced to rent a car just to take a road trip, it might be a better investment to find a flight instead.

Don’t hesitate to get out your calculator and add up the expenses and weigh it out for yourself.  Calculate gas mileage, food expenses, possible emergency funds and see what makes sense for your situation. Need more information?

Budget Travel  has great idea on how to create a great road trip for any budget.

Independent Travel has a calculator just for determining the cost of a road trip, tips and tricks, and all types of deals available.

Ok, so you’ve done the math and decided that road trip is simply not for you. Don’t worry, your last minute summer travels can still go off without a hitch.

There are plenty of web sites that offer all types of last minute vacation packages. You can always pick a destination, buy your plane ticket, and book your hotel independently- which is the best option for people, like me, who like to be in control. But if you just want a quick, simple option for selecting a great vacation, a vacation package can save you up to 60 percent on your travel expenses.

To see my comprehensive breakdown on which web sites have the best travel offers for you, and how they help you with your travel plans, please click here.

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