What does the IRS say it costs to own/operate a car? $.57-.63 per mile. This is wear and tear, insurance, gas, etc. For an 800 mile trip, why wouldn't you take a rental car? They're free insurance/maintenance miles.

This is a no-brainer. Save your expensive truck miles for around town and trips under 100 miles and take the rental car on your 800 mile trip. You'll be spending less money and wearing out someone elses car.

 

I'll be taking my truck on a close to 3k mile round trip next month. Hate to see what the gas will cost but maybe this will be the last long road trip in awhile. Not ready to use a small vehicle on a long trip anyway.

 

I just rented a car to drive to Disney last week instead of taking my F250 SD. With diesel over $4.00 gallon, I saved money because of the mileage on the rental and lower cost of gas.

 

Time to rethink owning a truck when its cheaper to rent a car for trips. You have a vehicle sitting in the driveway and its cheaper to rent a car? These trucks are getting expensive to drive. I know with me, most of the time, I am carrying nothing and driving alone. Love the space and will not sell but it doesn't make a lot of sense does it...

 

It does when you need to pull a heavy trailer or throw 10 foot pieces of lumber in the bed.

If you don't use a truck as a truck you are right, but when you need a truck and have a civic it's going to suck.

 

So, just counting gas mileage in the truck @14MPG I am looking at $258 for 900 miles.
I figured the trip on google maps and added in going to/from the hotel.
Compared to the fusion I was looking at. 30MPG I am looking at $120 in fuel.

I would save $138 in fuel costs, but it would cost me $90 to rent it. Still saving $48.
However, that doesn't count in that if something happens to the car I am not out, be it a breakdown or accident with the extra insurance.

That also doesn't account for the wear and tear on the truck and tires, higher millage and 900 miles closer to a oil change.

Also, I figure on the traffic getting pretty heavy, having to deal with the larger truck in that, then parking it and so on compared to a smaller car.

I also think it would be fun to take something else besides the truck.

I haven't decided yet though.

 

I'm still planning to take mine on a close to 3k mile trip next month. I'll probably let the truck sit for 3 month's afterward's!