Cheapest way to get from Newark, NJ / New York, NY to Orlando, FL ?

Question

Hello all!

I'm trying to find the cheapest way to get from either NJ or NY to Florida. We are travel with a total of 5 people. One of the options is driving there since that might be the cheapest way (even with the gas prices). Does anyone have any ideas? The ride itself is 1,000-1,200 miles. Thanks for any input.

** So far I've found out that taking a train ends up being 500 per person, the bus turns out to be 250-300 per person, and the airplanes range from 300-800 per person.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

I also come from a family of 5 people, and we've gone down South quite a bit from Upstate New York.  As you stated, driving (even with near $4 gas prices) is going to be your cheapest method.  It is simply impossible to buy 5 separate plane tickets, not to mention the new cost of checking all those bags, for anywhere close to a budget-friendly price.  I'd avoid the train and the bus simply because they will take twice as long to get where you're going than if you drived yourself.  This cuts too much time out of your actual vacation.  

To avoid having to pay for a room on the way down, you could drive in shifts while the other driver naps in the car.  If you don't have anyone else in the car with you to take over the driving, you should be able to find a reasonably-priced room along I-95 in Lumberton, NC, or Florence, SC.        

Answer 3

Drive.  We drove from Central Wisconsin to Yellowstone and it cost us $500 in fuel and that was with a full-size truck.  With the headaches and costs of airlines we drive, especially with our 3 kids under 6.  Plus if you drive you can stop when you want and visit things along the way if you want.  Plus with 5 people you can take turns driving.