driving questions ?

Question

having never driven this trip ,trying to save a little or a lot ,coming from Grapevine Tx , to Miramar , we have only flew 1.5 hours flight , or 12 hr drive $700 in plane tickets $600 in rental truck, getting ready to retire , we go twice a year , im not sure i can or want to drive straight through ,so looking for a possible place to spend the nite without a lot$$ , we usually spend around 100 on paper plates ,salt ,pepper,baggies, ETC. not counting food . So what im asking is the drive a grind and if i stop overnite would i save much money , really looking for opinions , we only stay 7 days .

Answer

Driving from Grapevine, TX to Miramar Beach, FL is roughly a 12-hour trip, so it’s definitely manageable in a single day, but it can be tiring, especially if you’re not accustomed to long drives. Given your plan to save money compared to flying and renting a truck, there are a few factors to consider before deciding whether to drive straight through or break the trip with an overnight stay.

Here are some important points to weigh:

Cost savings: Driving can save you money, especially if you own or are renting an economical vehicle. Gas costs will depend on the vehicle’s mileage and current fuel prices, but typically, a 12-hour drive might cost anywhere from $100–$150 in fuel each way for a standard vehicle. If you plan an overnight stop, you’ll need to add the hotel cost, which could be around $80–$120 for a budget-friendly option.
Comfort and safety: Driving straight through is doable but can be exhausting. Fatigue increases the risk of accidents, particularly on long stretches of highway. Splitting the drive into two days allows you to rest, enjoy a proper meal, and avoid stress from rushing.
Time considerations: Driving straight through means fewer total travel days but a very long first day. If you stop overnight, you’re trading some efficiency for comfort.

Some practical options for an overnight stop:

Shreveport, LA: Roughly halfway, about 6–7 hours from Grapevine. Plenty of budget hotels, such as Comfort Inn, La Quinta, or Red Roof Inn, often available around $80–$100 per night.
Monroe, LA: Slightly further east, 7–8 hours in. Another area with budget hotels suitable for a short stay.
Mobile, AL: About 10 hours into the drive; if you prefer to drive most of the way the first day and just have a short hop to Miramar the next morning.

Cost comparison roughly:

Driving straight through: Gas ~$100–$150, food/snacks ~$50, no hotel cost.
Overnight stop: Gas ~$100–$150, food/snacks ~$50, hotel ~$80–$120, small impact on savings but greater comfort and safety.

Overall, the decision depends on how much you value comfort versus saving a little extra money. If the goal is to minimize expenses, driving straight through is feasible, but an overnight stop can make the trip much less stressful, especially if you’re planning to enjoy a week-long stay and don’t want to arrive already tired.

Recommendation: Consider stopping overnight if possible. Choose a budget-friendly hotel around Shreveport or Monroe, plan light meals, and you’ll likely only add around $80–$120 to your total cost while significantly improving safety and comfort.

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