With gas prices at record highs - averaging about $2.60 a gallon in the United States last week for regular - the cost of fuel might need to become a line item in your travel budget.
OK, so maybe you don't care that gas is going to cost $112 if you're driving your new Lamborghini from Washington to Nags Head, N.C. But we mere mortals may want to turn to www.fuelcostcalculator.com , a nifty site provided courtesy of AAA. Plug in the make, model and year of your car, and get an estimate of what gas is going to cost you on a given trip.
The price calculator gave us new sympathy for the struggling airline industry. Like how can they fly you from D.C. to L.A. for a couple of hundred bucks and change when driving a 1998 Buick Regal costs $537 in gas alone?
But to put things in perspective - and to help you plan your transportation on trips overseas - consider the price of gas elsewhere. In the Netherlands, a gallon of gas is going for about $6.21 a gallon, according to Associates for International Research, a consulting firm that surveys prices of 320 items around the world. In Britain, it's $5.60.
Alaska cruise seminar set
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A free travel seminar on Alaskan cruises will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Fargo Ramada Plaza Suites, 1635 42nd St. S.
Hosted by AAA Travel, On Stage Alaska, will provide a glimpse of the history, scenic grandeur, wildlife and friendliness of the people to those planning an Alaska vacation. The multimedia presentation, produced by Holland America Line, features the travel company's 2005 Alaska CruiseTour Destination Film and a live performance by an entertaining duo who will share their passion about Alaska.
For reservations to the show, call AAA Travel at (701) 282-6222.
Bounty on the beach
Americans who vacation at the beach spend more money (an average $854 vs. $433) and more time (six nights vs. four) on their trips than the average traveler, according to Travel Industry Association of America's TravelScope survey.
