What would you do?

[tcb]

So I have a friend who just got married a few months ago and lives in Texas, Long story short her husband is cheating on her and choose the other women to be with. She wants to come back to Michigan to move back with family and friends. It's a long time friend of mine, one who I have had a few months since the last time I spoke to her but I know she seriously needs help getting back and it's a long road alone.

Anyways it's about a 1,300mile drive each way. The weather looks decent for driving. Her truck is 4x4 mine is 4x2. I know I cannot expect others to decide for me but I think it would be interesting to see what kind of reactions I get from others on the site. Also gas will be around $130 each way (Guessing $2 gallon). If I drove down with my truck then we followed each other back I would at least need to take 2 days off of work which would be unpaid. I hate too but you gotta do what you gotta do for friends.

If I were to fly down it would cost at least $280 for airfare and I would still need to take a day off of work by the sounds of things.

Or should I say No it's too short notice I cannot help? I hate too because I'm one of those guys who will give you the shirt off his back if you are a friend and it would help you out.

[HeatherLuvsMud]

I know what it's like to have a friend in need. I would fly down and drive back. I know the expense is a little higher, but if you drive down there and follow back, it sounds like you guys will still be riding by yourselves in the vehicle on the way back. If you fly down and take turns driving, might make the trip a little less dragging.

Good luck and have a safe trip if you do head out!

[Mudbuster]

I know what it's like to have a friend in need. I would fly down and drive back. I know the expense is a little higher, but if you drive down there and follow back, it sounds like you guys will still be riding by yourselves in the vehicle on the way back. If you fly down and take turns driving, might make the trip a little less dragging.

Good luck and have a safe trip if you do head out!

x2

[Eroq]

i would fly out and drive back with her...

long trip by yourself! plus by the time you drive out there you will be tired as and then have to drive all the way back

[Hammerlane]

1300 miles in 2 days is a good stretch considering stops.. ie.. fuel,food, stretch etc...
(70 mph X 10 hours = 700 miles, add 4-6 hrs for fuel/breaks/food etc..)

you also double your chances of a breakdown..
you will increase your drive time due to.. 1 driver for each vehicle (rest breaks will be needed)
you will drive down.. without much of a break you will need to drive back (see above)
double your cost in fuel (X2 vehicles)

If you are not accustomed to driving long distances... trust me.. it's harder on you than you think..
Minimal days to complete the trip... 5.  assuming she is in NE Texas (Dallas/Ft Worth)
if you need to go to Houston/ ElPaso/Laredo/Galvaston etc... add 1 day in each direction.

Fly down..
1 day there (hell, couple of hours)
you can sleep on the way, arrive rested..
inflight breakdowns are a bit of an issue though.. motor quits on the truck is one thing...
2 can drive a single vehicle better than 1
fuel/time savings pay for the flight..
your time off is cut by at least 2 days

Good luck..

[MORGZILLA!]

i would definately fly down and drive back with her. no sense in both of you driving back alone.

[Bigdaddy]

fly down,(one way ticket cant cost to much) rent a uhaul,load stuff up & put the miles on that...

[betterbeaters]

fly down and help her get back up here! thats what I would do to help out a friend!

[Squirell]

fly down drive back

[BIG DOG]

FLY  GET IT DONE             

[millser]

i would drive down pull a trailer put her truck on that loud both trucks, becase i know mine would make it with out bracking down i just did that last year texas and back drove 19 hours strait down sleep 4 hours went to the bar closed that sleep 4 more hours louded up drove strait back

[slymer]

I know what it's like to have a friend in need. I would fly down and drive back. I know the expense is a little higher, but if you drive down there and follow back, it sounds like you guys will still be riding by yourselves in the vehicle on the way back. If you fly down and take turns driving, might make the trip a little less dragging.

Good luck and have a safe trip if you do head out!

x3

[blue byu]

i say fly down and drive back with her just my 2 cents :+)

[SteveP612]

I would fly down and drive back.

[TBigLug]

Fly down, drive back. You're a good guy for helping.

[mudboggincrazy]

I know what it's like to have a friend in need. I would fly down and drive back. I know the expense is a little higher, but if you drive down there and follow back, it sounds like you guys will still be riding by yourselves in the vehicle on the way back. If you fly down and take turns driving, might make the trip a little less dragging.

Good luck and have a safe trip if you do head out!

x4

x5

[catfish]

id  fly down with out a seckent thought, but im a surt off my back guy like you
like hammer lane said cost  of fule will off set plane tickit and thats a long ride  hope you know how to put 5 lbs of   in a 3 lb bag a truck and traler fill pritty quick

[sanddude]

fly down drive back

x2

[tcb]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Last night I met with her family and her brother and I decided we are leaving to drive down about 4am on Saturday, I just drove to Florida and back for Thanksgiving so the long distance thing doesn't really bother me. We plan to get there load up my truck and rent a U-Haul trailer if needed and tow it back, I also have 2 way radios to talk between the trucks,  she also has 2 dogs and 1 cat coming back in her truck. Anything we need to check out on the trailer? I have heard horror stories about their trailers having wheels lock up and causing the vehicle to roll, etc.

When I asked my boss for the 2 days off of work he had a bit of hesitation but said it's okay, but it's unpaid. I said that's fine it needs to get done and I appreciate it lots and I said I will bring my laptop and I will work from the road.

I did some math 1,300miles / 19mpg = 68 Gallons * $2/gallon = $136+/- Each way in Gas alone so that's roughly $272+/- total, but it still beats airfare by a few bucks for a one way ticket $281(cheapest going to 4 airports and taking about 8 hours).

I've never been to Texas, but I won't call this a vacation but we already said we will make the best of it and hit up a waffle house or some other places we can't get back home on the way.

This is the truck we are driving down 2005 Silverado 4.3L 5speed (Picture is from my last Florida trip)

[Bigdaddy]

becareful & have fun... ROAD TRIP!