rideshare threads up yet? how much gas$ wanted for BRC-LA?

hologolem · Post by **hologolem** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:34 pm

I have a kind of messed up set of travel-plans. I'm taking a three-layover flight into reno from toronto canada, then i'm looking at having to get down to longbeach california to visit relatives and catch a plane home.

How much should I expect to have to pitch in terms of gas money from BRC to LA?

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:04 am

LA to BRC is ~ 630 miles, give or take depending on route taken.

Total fuel cost each way will depend on a few things.

Average fuel economy of the overloaded vehicle.

Average cost per gallon of fuel at pump.

Number of passengers in vehicle.

Here are some rough guesses for different MPG vehicles:

30 mpg - 630/30=21 gallons @ $3.50/ gallon = $73.50 per vehicle each way.

20 mpg - 630/20=31.5 gallons ==> $108.75 per vehicle each way.

15 mpg ===> $147.00

10 mpg ===> $221.50

8 mpg ===> ~ $280.00

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:28 am

http://www.burningman.com/calendar/year ... hp?id=3960

kman · Post by **kman** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:25 pm

Token wrote:LA to BRC is ~ 630 miles, give or take depending on route taken.

Interesting, my home to Gerlach shows 532 mi via US-395, or 612 mi via I-5. Big difference! I suspect I-5 to I-80 is a faster route, though, despite the 80 mile difference (and Google's 10 min estimate). For 3-4 gals of gas (~$12 each way), I'm guessing the longer route is easier with a lot more amenities along the way... or is 395 popular with anyone?

As a side note to other travelers, "Los Angeles" is a massive city. Seems obvious when you say it, but the real-world impact could mean 3-4 hours difference in travel time, depending on where you are in the city, and what time you're traveling through.

By way of example, the Long Beach Airport to Gerlach route is 567 mi to Gerlach via US-395, and 647 mi via I-5. The 30+ mile difference could take hours to traverse at the wrong time of day.

And for me, if I was to dip down to the Long Beach airport before continuing on to Gerlach, the US-395 mileage hits 603 and the I-5 mileage hits 682, 70 miles farther than going direct.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:43 pm

If you are overloaded, in a large vehicle and/or pulling a trailer from LA, the 395 is 'flatter', the grades aren't as steep, so it's easier on your vehicle. There are certainly long stretches with no services, but there are also some great places to stop along the way; if you plan well, you'll eat at awesome greasy spoons & fresh bakeries, sleep at hot springs & score some of the best jerky ever. Side benefits - the crusty locals find Burners colorful and amusing, major thrift store finds, long vistas, not much traffic...

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:55 pm

We also take the 395 for most of those same reasons. There is one super long grade headed north out of Bishop to Tom's Place, but you can actually circumvent that by taking the roads thru Benton Hot Springs... a pretty little detour with grades of its own, but it seems less strenuous than the single 17 mile 6% grade. The detour puts you back on 395 closer to Lee Vining and you get some wonderful vistas of Mono Lake. And with the construction that was going on on 395 last year, we didn't want to be "that guy" clogging up the single lane with a heavy rental truck going 20mph up the hill. It's just me pulling my trailer this year and I will probably just do the grade if the construction is done. Lunch in Bishop, snack in Bridgeport, usually hit Reno about 7:30 or 8:00pm after a 12 hour grind with the heavy truck. Hope to do it a bit quicker this year.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 7:58 pm

Yep, I did the 630 mile as a best estimate considering the choice plus you have some miles past Gerlach.

395 route has two options. One is sticking to the big grade past Bishop and taking 395 all the way in.

The second choice is to cut over on I think 6 to 95 in Nevada roughly at Bishop and avoid the grade. This however puts you on the "Spooky Desert" drive with minimal service and endless gunnery ranges and nuclear test sites. Gotta trust your rig on this one.

I take two days on 395 and make a point of spending the night at elevation. Makes for a better burn.

hologolem · Post by **hologolem** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 10:58 am

but at any rate, i remain in a state of search, i've been to the rideshare postings and am pretty much headed back there after i post this. does anyone think i might be more likely to find someone to hitch a lift with on the playa?

it's just gonna be me and a duffel bag, with maybe a crap guitar i haven't really decided yet. whatever the mileage though, i can pay for my weight, intra AND extra-somatic.

i just wanna make sure i don't end up finding nobody with room for me. that strike anyone as possible? [that is to say i want to find somebody]

also, for those of you with enough time on your hands, any advice for a total greenhorn who is hitching in and out of BRC with [probably] different people and likely camping in the "walk-in" camping zone? -like spray paint my tent gold, or how to tie a turban out of space blanket?

rideshare threads up yet? how much gas$ wanted for BRC-LA?

rideshare threads up yet? how much gas$ wanted for BRC-LA?

thanks all these answers seem to have some useful info