emergency road trip on basically zero dollars.

July 28, 2009 11:52 PM

A friend has been in an accident and I need to get to where she is ASAP. Problem? I only have $150 to my name. Please help me figure out whether I can make this emergency road trip without (a) dying or (b) running out of money. Main issue: how much money will gas for this trip really cost?

I know this question might seem dumb and a little bit, "duh!" but I am kind of freaking out right now, and need as much help as I can get.

One of my good friends has been in a car accident in a town around 400 miles away from where I am currently living. I want to go see her in the hospital. I hope to leave on Thursday morning. I am currently unemployed, have basically NO money at all, and am "mooching" off my parents (I feel horrible about it, but there it is). They are livid that I would suggest taking such a road trip when I have so little money, no matter the circumstances involved.

Here's the main issue: I currently only have $150 to my name. This is money I earned myself before my job was shortened from a 12-month job to a 9-month job. That's all the money I have right now. I managed to find a budget hotel in an area near my friend's home that is reasonably nice and only costs $50.00 (that's with taxes and fees added in). I will be staying in the hotel for a day, then going to stay at my friend's parents house for another day.

My main concern here is gas money. As far as food goes, I can eat cheap (fast food and can bring my own snacks). Food money really isn't THAT much of a concern for me, but I do know that I need to get to my friend's town and back with enough money left over to eat at least a couple of meals on. Online gas calculators suggest that I would have to drop around $70.00 round trip. Are these gas calculators accurate? (I need to travel approximately 392 miles, my car gets 25 MPG, and gas costs on average around $2.33-$2.40 both where I am living and where I am traveling to). My parents are claiming that making such a trip (to AND back) on only $70.00 is entirely ridiculous, and that it would really cost much more than that (they claimed that I would need $135 just for gas). I think they are trying to scare me (it's working because HELLO! I am asking this question) out of going on this trip and are not being honest with me.

Please tell me whether or not I can realistically make this road trip without dying or running out of money. Since I doubt my parent's sincerity, I need someone to be honest with me, so I'm relying on you guys.

posted by SkylitDrawl to travel & transportation (40 comments total)

Have you looked into taking a bus? Like Greyhound or something?
posted by mollymayhem at 11:59 PM on July 28

Is public transport an option? Depending on your location a return bus / train / what-have-you ticket could well be cheaper.

Also, if you fill a backpack with food and snacks you should save some money there.
posted by Suspicious Ninja at 12:06 AM on July 29

Even if you're hellaciously frgual and worried about spending money you don't have, isn't this the kind of legitimate emergency everyone would agree is okay to put on a credit card?
posted by floam at 12:06 AM on July 29

Yes, my first thought was a bus. I would have to drive an hour to a Greyhound station. Round trip, tickets would be around $100 to go via Greyhound.
posted by SkylitDrawl at 12:07 AM on July 29

392 miles / 25 mpg * $2.40 per gallon = $37.63 in fuel costs. But you said your friend was "in a car accident in a town around 400 miles away from where I am" so I assume this is a one way fuel expense. Accordingly, getting there and back, is likely to cost you at least $37.63 x 2, or $75.24. And in 800 miles, you're likely to need some oil, or a fan belt, or something like that, if your car isn't right up to snuff, maintenance wise. Any unexpected expense could prove disastrous, or at least, very expensive for your parents, if you expect them to come rescue you, in the event of trouble. Perhaps that is what they are trying to communicate to you.

Personally, if I had only $150 to my name, and was depending on my parents for living costs, I'd probably send a small flower arrangement, and call when appropriate. Your friend will likely understand, and there is little you can do in a short time, at that end, with such limited resources, that will much affect your friend's medical outcome.
posted by paulsc at 12:07 AM on July 29 [13 favorites]

Upon rereading your predicament with no incoming money: are you sure this is really worth spending all your money? Is your friend in a frighteningly precarious health situation?
posted by floam at 12:10 AM on July 29

If your plan, as I read it, is to drive 400 miles (630km?) each way yourself without overnight breaks, without a second driver, or enough money to get emergency accommodation on the way, then no, it's not very realistic or safe.

Fuel, food and shelter are the most important planning considerations but you haven't budgeted for contingencies. On preview: paulsc has listed the major contingencies.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 12:11 AM on July 29

I think your big-hearted for wanting to see your friend in the hospital, but it seems impractical. You're trying to plan a trip that will leave you at absolute- zero when its over.

I don't think your parents' estimate is that far afield. I think you will run out of money. You haven't included the gas money you will need to tool around the area where your friend is hospitilized -- back and forth to hotel, parents' home, fast-food restaurants, etc. I also think you've underestimated the amount of money you need for food. You haven't included any plans for reasonable contingencies -- if you need a quart of oil, or if your car breaks down. Sorry, but you can't afford this trip.

I hope your friend is out of the hospital soon.
posted by inkyr2 at 12:15 AM on July 29 [3 favorites]

And one other note, this time maybe leaning towards the other direction: If this is a 400 mile trip mostly on freeways, you're likely to average a much better MPG than you normally get driving around or being on a freeway for twenty minutes or so. My gas-sucking 98 Jetta GLX (with the big VR6 engine) normally gets 24ish highway MPG but if I want to push it for a long distance (like, when I had to drive about 100 miles last month) I can usually keep it around 35ish if I drive 55-60 MPH and draft when it's safe to do so.

You'll probably need less gas than you think. But I think gas isn't your biggest worry.
posted by floam at 12:17 AM on July 29

Thank you, guys. I had the oil changed in my car earlier today, but I guess I should probably sit this out and do what paulsc suggests with flowers. I'm admittedly just a little bit freaked out and I'm not thinking practically or realistically at all right now, so my gut reaction is, "have to go see her."

I just needed to read this sort of thing from people not related to me, I guess.
posted by SkylitDrawl at 12:22 AM on July 29

Based on the figures, you could maybe afford it, with zero left over for unexpected expenses. This is never a wise way to travel: there are [i]always[/i] unexpected expenses.

But really, step back and think what you could accomplish with this trip: sit at someone's bedside for a few hours, and have some awkward hours with her parents. You're not really able to fix her or help out in any significant way in two days.

Concentrate on getting a source of income so you're not in this situation again...
posted by zompist at 12:26 AM on July 29

floam: I don't think it's a good idea to charge expenses to a credit card in this situation. While credit cards can be quite useful in emergencies, the OP has no income coming in. Suppose s/he charges, say, $100 to a CC. Next month, when the bill comes around, the minimum payment is probably something like $15, since most cards have a fixed minimum until your balance gets high enough for the percentage minimum to kick in. If the OP doesn't have $15 then, or doesn't have it the next month, or the parents refuse to contribute any more cash, their interest rate suddenly skyrockets to a penalty APR, they'll probably be slapped with a $30+ missed payment fee, their credit will take a hit, which might make it harder to get a job if they pull credit reports, and oh yeah, they'll still owe the rest of the money plus exorbitant interest!

Credit cards are fine for emergencies, but when your income is 0, your savings are negligible, and there are no immediate plans for that to change, your debt to income/net-worth ratio goes to infinity (or undefined really). This is not a situation you want to put yourself in when you're already in dire straits.

SkylitDrawl: It sounds to me like the real issue here is that your parents unhappiness with the current situation is spilling over into the discussions over this trip. Perhaps they see you "mooching" and they do not think you're taking the situation seriously enough and working hard enough to find a job and/or solution. I obviously have no idea whether this is the case or not; times are tough and lots of people don't have jobs who have been searching quite diligently, but I could see how your parents could easily perceive the situation that way, no matter what you've been up to. If they think you're wasting your time and their money already, they are understandably upset about you continuing that with this trip.

Ultimately, your folks are paying your expenses right now. That $150 may be "your" money, but in reality, it's money out of their pocket, because it's money you're not using to feed or house yourself. I think you need to confront the issue head-on with your parents and try to work through all of your feelings about your current financial/living situation. Are there ways you can step up your job search efforts? Try to find a job now that you don't really want or one with a salary that's too low so that you can have at least some income flowing in? Sell stuff or otherwise raise cash? Help out more around the house? Perhaps volunteer somewhere so your parents at least see you doing something productive and so you can get out and do something interesting with your time.

In short, it sounds like the real issue here isn't the trip, it's between you and your parents. However you handle the trip, you need to work on that relationship, because your parents are doing you a huge favor right now, and things tend to work out a lot easier when they, and you, aren't unhappy.

If you do decide to go, perhaps you could try to line up some interviews or potential jobs in the city where your friend lives. Your parents may be more supportive if it's a combination job-hunting trip and friend support visit. Also, have you considered staying at your friend's parents' house for both nights? Or getting permission to stay one night with an option to stay for another depending on how your friend is doing? That would cut the hotel out of the mix entirely and give you some more breathing room.
posted by zachlipton at 12:58 AM on July 29

Fiasco da Gama writes "If your plan, as I read it, is to drive 400 miles (630km?) each way yourself without overnight breaks, without a second driver, or enough money to get emergency accommodation on the way, then no, it's not very realistic or safe. "

Even at 50mph that's only eight hours of driving. You shouldn't need an overnight break and while it would be nice to be able to trade off with someone a second driver isn't a necessity. I've done this trip solo a lot through the mountains, even in winter, no problem. paulsc's got the gas calculation correct.

inkyr2 writes "I also think you've underestimated the amount of money you need for food."

Seriously underestimated. However the way to do this is to get a loaf of bread and a pound of Bologna at the discount grocery store (total $2) and make up some sandwiches. Throw in some lettuce and some mayo or what ever you'd like. Some slices of cheese from home. Add a pound of bananas ($1) and whatever other fruit is cheap ($1). Kept on ice (free because you can fill a couple milk jugs or a few pop bottle with water and freeze them at home; gives you cold water to drink on the way as a bonus) in a cooler sandwiches will keep for a couple days. Repeat at the other end. You can easily eat on a dollar or two a day instead of a few dollars per meal. And you don't waste time during your trip in the fast food drive thru.

Also I'd skip the motel. You can sleep in your car.

The biggest problem is you've got no room for disaster. Shred a tire on a piece of road junk and you're boned unless you can put it on a credit card. It's only 800 miles so the risk is low but as stated you've got no way to mitigate that risk.

Have you thought about ride share via craigslist? Even if you have to drive to the place with the greyhound station it would be a lot cheaper.
posted by Mitheral at 1:14 AM on July 29 [2 favorites]

I know we frown on constantly replying here, but I have to say that I DO have a job that I will go back to in two weeks. Due to the economic downturn, I am only needed at my regular workplace nine months out of the year, whereas I used to work twelve. I was informed at the last minute about this change and was unable to line up a reliable job, so I came home to live with my parents during this three month downtime. My parents own a business and I "work" there to pay room/board/food costs while living at home. I feel unemployed, but it's really more of a temporary situation that will be over soon enough.

Also, she is one of my very closest friends and her health status is very precarious at the moment. I want to see her and be with her, but I realize now that that's impractical. This was the information I needed. So, thank you guys, truly.
posted by SkylitDrawl at 1:17 AM on July 29

You are a loving person, but this isn't practical. Save the money and see your friend later when they are better and will appreciate the quality time?
posted by A189Nut at 1:18 AM on July 29

PS. Silly point, but you could spend $30 on phone calls and get good value for your friendship
posted by A189Nut at 1:20 AM on July 29

I'm with the send-flowers, you'll-do-no-good crowd. But, you can make this trip if you're willing to blow the cash on gas. There's a good chance I'd do it, in your shoes.

And in 800 miles, you're likely to need some oil, or a fan belt, or something like that, if your car isn't right up to snuff, maintenance wise.

This is bullshit. Unless your car is a clunker, the likelihood of needing anything more than gasoline (and maybe wiper fluid) on this trip is minuscule.

My commute, when I had one, was roughly 350 miles a week. I assure you I was not replacing belts or oil every two weeks. Nor was anybody else I worked with... even people with old, American cars; even those people who drove 100 miles a day.

However, it is possible you'll break something and need it fixed. There's always that possibility. It's a greater possibility if you're driving through desert or over mountains. And if you don't have the cash to fix it, you're fucked.

If your plan, as I read it, is to drive 400 miles (630km?) each way yourself without overnight breaks, without a second driver, or enough money to get emergency accommodation on the way, then no, it's not very realistic or safe.

This is also bullshit.

I generally budget about 600 miles per day when I'm roadtripping. I do stop for lunch and dinner, so I'm taking a couple breaks. I'll also stop and stretch my legs a couple times.

I routinely do 800 miles in a day.

You people must be from either England or New England. 400 miles is, like, short enough to drive it for a really good hamburger or a weird bookstore. And come back that evening.

And, OP, listen to Mitheral. He's speaking sense.

You don't need a hotel. That's needless extravagance. Sleep at a rest stop. You don't need to buy food on the road. Take along food from the grocery store at home.

This isn't a vacation. If you're serious about seeing your friend, go see your friend. But rough it, brother.
posted by Netzapper at 1:42 AM on July 29 [6 favorites]

I think your heart's in the right place. Do it. Borrow the money, put it on a credit card, whatever. You'll have a job in a couple weeks.

This is exactly the type of situation money is for. Go see your friend. You're a good friend. It's only money.
posted by Flying Squirrel at 2:38 AM on July 29 [1 favorite]

SkylitDrawl writes "I know we frown on constantly replying here, but I have to say that I DO have a job that I will go back to in two weeks."

If you have a credit card you can use for emergencies then go. If the worst happens and your friend dies it'll eat you up inside and if not great, you've had a little adventure for a few days before getting back to the grind.

If you do change your mind the craigslist thing works both ways. You might want to see if you can pick up a rider or two for all or part of your trip in either direction.
posted by Mitheral at 2:53 AM on July 29

Camp! That would be way less than $50 a night, and if you've got a tent and a sleeping bag you're pretty much there. DIYing your food is the way to go.
posted by mdonley at 3:24 AM on July 29

Yeah, if you have a job in 2 weeks' time, and a credit card for emergencies, that changes everything. You should go. Sleep in the car or camp, and you'll probably have 50-60 bucks left at the end of it all.

HOWEVER... If there is a chance you might have to phone your parents and ask them to bail you out, don't go. That's not fair to them.
posted by handee at 4:06 AM on July 29

Seconding most of the best so far.... I've been homeless and without food for days. Slept in the back of a car many a times. Never don't do something that may be the only time you get for some trivial reason, it may be the last time you get.

Beg, Borrow, Steal a few $$ from some friends for emergency trip if needed. Be prepared to sell your car for scrap if needed. Be prepared to grab a blanket and sleep in the woods if needed. Be prepared to be woken up and kicked the F out after a few hours of sleep.

Go!!! you may not get a second chance.
posted by zengargoyle at 4:25 AM on July 29

A couple times a year, I drive from Southern California to my family's home in Oregon. This is a 905 mile drive, one way, across several mountains, and lots of completely barren stretches of road.

Because I have it down to a science, I can do it in almost exactly 14 hours.

- Eat in your car, like Mitheral suggests.
- Stop only for gas (use the getting of gas as an opportunity to stretch your legs, slap yourself in the face (no, really), take a few deep breaths, and go.

Now, here's how you actually do the drive.
- Go to sleep early one evening. (No caffeine for the day, so you can make sure you can get to sleep.)
- Wake up at the Super Ass Crack of dawn (like, 4am).
- Turn the radio up
- Drive

This works because it's dark at the beginning of the drive, when you're most likely to have energy from sleep, rather than at the end of the drive, when you're exhausted and sleeeeeepy.

Doing this, I leave California in the dark, get to watch the sunrise, and make it home to Oregon before dark (leaving me enough time to get my luggage out of my trunk before nightfall).
posted by cheeken at 5:20 AM on July 29

Also, I'd add, since you're only going 400 miles, you don't really even need food. Take some water, a box of cereal from the pantry, and chomp on little handfuls if you get sleepy. Eat when you arrive.
posted by cheeken at 5:23 AM on July 29

fourcheesemac: please pay more attention. The OP does have a job and is at the very end of a period of having to rely on his parents'.

The drive is definitely doable. Does your friend live in the town you're heading to and if so, maybe you could sleep at your friend's place? Also try not to piss off your parents if you do go.
posted by Authorized User at 5:44 AM on July 29

Yeah, you don't need a hotel for midway through a 400 mi drive. Sleep in the car if necessary. 400 miles is *nothing*. 1500 miles is when it starts get crazy. Bring food, take a few jugs of water. And a bunch of tunes.
posted by notsnot at 6:03 AM on July 29

400 miles in one chunk is really no problem. It's like 6 hours! Stop in the middle for gas, pee and a Dr. Pepper and you'll be golden.

The chances are very good that you could make this trip for the money you have. But shit, as they say, happens. If the shit that happens is that you blow a tire, pop a belt, bust a headgasket, etc, what will you do? Will your parents be unable/unwilling to wire you a little dough? Do you have that emergency credit card?

It's tough - only a fool never does things because something bad could happen, and yet, only a fool pretends like something bad is never going to happen.
posted by dirtdirt at 6:58 AM on July 29

Nthing sleep in the car. I pulled over at a few places on a 900-mile overnight drive from Tucson, AZ to Fort Worth, TX for a couple hours each and made the drive with no trouble. Walmart parking lots are a good idea for this--Walmart is known to be sleeper-friendly, well-lit, and safe.
posted by jgunsch at 7:01 AM on July 29

Yeah, the drive is nothing. I just drove 670 miles each way to get to a 10th anniversary meetup in New Orleans, for heaven's sakes, and my 11 year old car needed nothing in the way of emergency supplies. Asheville to New Orleans: the gas cost was about $50 - $65 each way or a total of $120; gas ran about $2.40 a gallon or thereabouts. We had two drivers so it was cake but I have done the 550 mile drive from Asheville to Baltimore by myself in one day so many times that it blurs in my memory. Sometimes I've done it and come back within 24 hours. 400 miles is really not a big deal.

As far as doing it cheap, everyone who is saying bring food is right. Bring food; stop only to pee; listen to mitheral and netzapper. Scrounge up a tent somewhere and get yourself a campsite as close as you can get to the hospital; it's much cheaper and then you won't have to stay with your friends' parents who may or may not be up for houseguests at this time. Oh and do not forget the tunes.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:09 AM on July 29

definitely doable! I would just like add that over 60 mph (or thereabouts, i don't know your car) mileage really starts to drop off, so DON'T SPEED, it will up your fuel costs. eat super cheap food, sleep in the car, no big deal.
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 7:11 AM on July 29

Is there a college or university in your town or her town w/ a rideshare board? If you can ride with someone else and split gas- I think you could pull it off... Are there any other close friends of hers nearby who might give you a round trip lift?
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 7:12 AM on July 29

FWIW, I just drove a 450 mile trip (there and back, so 900 miles total) without a mishap or needing any parts changed on about $80 of gas. And that's with a lot of unnecessary stops.

I'll also throw in that you should make sure your tires are properly inflated before you go, as that'll keep your gas mileage optimal, and it's safer.
posted by ignignokt at 7:20 AM on July 29

I'm surprised given the "basically zero dollars" cue, no-one has suggested hitch-hiking.

I've been in the penniless got to get from A to B situation many times in many places, and while it isn't optimal in terms of time, it is free. Its also likely to be faster than Greyhound or Amtrak which are both extremely unreliable and expensive.

400 miles is not a lot. If you're lucky, there's a straight highway between the 2 destinations and you can stand near the ramp. The legality of hitchhiking varies state-to-state but in most states its legal if you're not standing directly on the highway. Even in states where its illegal, cops just tell you to bugger off & leave it at that.

If you're a girl & apprehensive, do it in the daytime or take a friend along.

Make sure to make a legible sign. Put the target city on one side and an in-between city on the other. Toggle as desired. Dress somewhat respectably. Good luck.
posted by breadfruit at 7:25 AM on July 29

Also: If you put up an elegant, sympathy-inducing post (screw your pride in such situations), you'd be surprised how many people on craigslist would be willing to take you for free or nearly free. On several occasions (especially with the kind of people who routinely drive alone), drivers I found on CL grateful for the company have refused to take money from me.
posted by breadfruit at 7:29 AM on July 29

My apologies for misreading the post (my answer was deleted anyway, which is fine). I'm not harshing on the OP for being unemployed *at the moment,* but pointing out that being down to your last $150 even temporarily is a pretty big emergency in its own right, so my straight up answer is that I wouldn't do this unless I loved the person in the accident very dearly and/or the accident was life-threatening in a serious way. Can you do it? Sure, using all the tricks above. But spending your very last dollar when you won't make more for some time to come seems very risky to me, and if you do have an unforeseen expense on the road you're really SOL unless you have at least a credit card.

Maybe it's just me, but if I were down to $150 and effectively laid off for a few months from my real job, I'd be putting this energy into making a few bucks by any means necessary.

One other possibility for the OP: advertise on craigslist or equivalent for a rider (or as a rider) so you can share the expenses with someone else.
posted by fourcheesemac at 7:29 AM on July 29

Definitely call your friend instead and send funny cards to cheer her up and remind her that you're thinking of her. Who doesn't love mail? Real mail, not email. That takes some thought that I'm sure she will appreciate. Be creative and consistent. Go visit later when you have a little more cushion in your bank account.
And oh, gosh, every time I took a trip like this that I thought needed to happen I had some sort of car breakdown - tire flat, leaking transmission fluid, brakes went, muffler/exhuast pipes dropped, and even my clutch went! This is bad enough around town, but further from home it is stressful, lonely, and expensive! Extended stay, where to go, who to call, how to pay?
Now, your car might be in great shape, but you never know. It's a bit risky. I think your parents mean well. It's hard to foresee everything that might happen. I doubt they are trying to make you miserable. I'm sure they have good intentions.
posted by LilBit at 7:38 AM on July 29

over 60 mph (or thereabouts, i don't know your car) mileage really starts to drop off, so DON'T SPEED, it will up your fuel costs

Not true. I can't find it right now, but I do recall reading an Ask MeFi question awhile back talking about gearing and such. It depends on your car. I got better mileage driving from Tucson to Texas doing 80mph the whole way (averaged 33mpg in a 1997 Saturn) than I have in a long time doing 90% highway driving in the 65-75 range (usually get 29-31).
posted by jgunsch at 8:53 AM on July 29

I totally understand the impulse to jump in the car and go, but I reluctantly agree with the naysayers here.

However, I think you can do better than just flowers from afar. Does your friend have access to a computer? Some hospitals let you check out a laptop. Do you have a webcam? (You can get one for cheap.) Send or post a video of yourself. If indeed she can check out or borrow a laptop with wifi, and she's able to sit up and talk, send her a webcam instead of flowers.
posted by desjardins at 9:07 AM on July 29

cheeken writes "Also, I'd add, since you're only going 400 miles, you don't really even need food. Take some water, a box of cereal from the pantry, and chomp on little handfuls if you get sleepy. Eat when you arrive"

I was thinking the food would last a couple days thereby avoiding eating out. When the OP runs out they can repeat at the other end and now they've got enough food to get home. They might have to buy ice for the return trip but it's still cheaper than eating out a few times.
posted by Mitheral at 9:43 AM on July 29

Dude, go. Life is short. I don't think you're mooching off your parents if you're working for them for free.

I should be so lucky as to have a friend like you--
posted by kathrineg at 11:35 AM on July 29