How much is that road trip?

This is me somewhere in the great outdoors.  Okay.  It's me in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Why this gratuitous beauty shot?

Because to get to the Black Hills from almost anywhere, you have to drive.  And to drive, you have to buy gas.  And to buy gas, you have to work a lot more hours than you used to.

So... today's tip is about the fabulous AAA Fuel Cost Calculator.  It's a nifty tool.  You enter your trip details and your car make and model.  The calculator then provides a close approximation of your would-be fuel costs.  Check it out to see how affordable (or not) car travel can still be, compared to increasingly expensive air travel. 

There is nothing like exploring America by car.  So hit the road, Jack.

[As for yesterday's post, here are the answers:  A. American (reflecting my many NY-LA/NY-SF flights), B. United, C. Delta (reflecting my occasional Europe and Atlanta flights), D. Continental (not sure where they came from), and E. Starwood (from my Amex Card).]