Epic journey costs

[DeadByrd]

So I read about all the amazing trips that people take from Seattle to Argentina, or from Oklahoma to Alaska, even jaunts around western and eastern Europe. My question is what kind of money are people spending in the way of preparation for the trip, costs spent during the trip, etc. I understand that the amount spent can vary from rider to rider. It can depend on how you live while on the journey.

What I'm looking for are stories from people who've done some pretty epic trips and what they spent roughly. Also what they spent it on. Your input is greatly appreciated! Money is tight in this economy and I would like to get an idea of what trips cost.

As for me, I'm planing on a trip for this summer. Leaving from Portland, OR heading south through the Red Woods, down across the Golden Gate bridge, cutting over through Yosemite National Park, down to Las Vegas. From there to the Grand Canyon up through Salt Lake to Yellowstone, and heading through Montana, Idaho, and Washington on my way back to Portland. Its a small journey compared to my next from Portland down to South America.

[Hootowl]

This subject has been discussed here before (do a search). Horizons Unlimited is a very good place to get information about trip costs.

[DeadByrd]

I do searches, but never really find the answers I want. If it has and people know what the links are to those threads I'd be more than happy to follow them and read on.

[leigh]

Originally Posted by DeadByrd

I do searches, but never really find the answers I want. If it has and people know what the links are to those threads I'd be more than happy to follow them and read on.

I find using google to search the site works a lot better than the site's search function, for what it's worth. Just when you do your google search add in "site:advrider.com" then your keywords. Don't have much to contribute otherwise, except that $1/mile seems really high, but I haven't kept track of cost per mile really...

[Malindi]

Originally Posted by leigh

I find using google to search the site works a lot better than the site's search function, for what it's worth. Just when you do your google search add in "site:advrider.com" then your keywords. Don't have much to contribute otherwise, except that $1/mile seems really high, but I haven't kept track of cost per mile really...

Bike related costs, fuel, repairs for me is running at 22 cents per kilometer for the last 105K miles on my R80RT. Add hotels and food.

[B.C.Biker]

Cool Malinda,one of the best answers yet.

[swingset]

Originally Posted by Hootowl

This subject has been discussed here before (do a search). Horizons Unlimited is a very good place to get information about trip costs.

Could have just said "My trip cost $X,XXX for 5,000 miles" and burned less calories.

But, there's no joy in answering it when you can teach him a lesson is there?

[rattlesnakejake]

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tripplan/budget

...it's a good site to poke around while you're at it.

[bananaman]

$15,000 from Wisconsin to Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, then flying myself and the bike home, including everything, and when I say everything, I mean everything, except that I used frequent flyer miles for flying my living body. 15,000 miles, 4 months.

$3,000 from Wisconsin to Wiseman, Alaska, and back. 9,000 miles, three weeks.

[WOXOF]

~$9000 on my last trip
87 days, 20,600 miles riding around the U.S. and Canada

[Jamie Z]

Originally Posted by swingset

But, there's no joy in answering it when you can teach him a lesson is there?

You can give a man a fish...

This has been discussed at least a few times. Here's a good thread. In it you'll find my own budget description.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268538

The good thing about traveling in the US is cheap gas. Gas was my most expensive item when I traveled. The bad thing about traveling in the US is that if you stay in hotels, it's near impossible to find a room for less than $30 per night.

Jamie

[bananaman]

Originally Posted by geode

It seems to average about $100 a day, then add or subtract based on your own style of travel.

That doesn't include buying and outfitting a bike.

I figure a dollar a mile, but this includes everything.

[Malindi]

Here's my budget (and reality)...

http://www.nohorizons.net/Pages/RTW%20costs.htm

Maybe a bit more than you are planning, but there may be something there of interest.

[bananaman]

Originally Posted by geode

Yup.


I figure for the miles-per-day that I do, and the total cost of maintenance and my style of travel, but nothing for bike purchase and farkling, it's $131 per day average cost. That includes oil changes, tire replacements, gas @ $4 per gallon, insurance and registration costs, and paying for campsites and the periodic motel room. If it's a short trip, and you want to "fool yourself" you can knock out the maintenance costs and ownership costs you can "pretend" it only costs $75 a day.

$1/mile, occasional 1000 mile days... riding is expensive!

[Jamie Z]

Originally Posted by geode

If it's a short trip, and you want to "fool yourself" you can knock out the maintenance costs and ownership costs you can "pretend" it only costs $75 a day.

I don't think it's fooling anyone, it's just a matter of definition. On my trip to Mexico, I didn't intend to change tires, chain, or sprockets en route, so I didn't include that in my budget. I also didn't include insurance on the bike, since that was already paid for and I'd have insurance on the bike whether I went to Mexico or not. I did include Mexican insurance in my budget.

I didn't include the cost of brake pads, though I included the cost of two light bulbs I had to replace in Texas.

At home, I keep my bike in good maintenance. When I calculate my budget for a ride, be it a short or long ride, I count the money I spend from the time I leave home until the time I get back.

I mean, why don't you count your opportunity cost of missing work?

Jamie