I'm just wondering if I handled this right. I went with my husband's cousin on a 3,000 mile road trip. We took my car and split the gas 50/50. I've since been told she should have paid more, since all the wear and tear was on my vehicle. I didn't want to appear petty and didn't know how to calculate for that,so I just did it down the middle. On our last night of the road trip, after we had picked my daughter and her friend from camp, we stayed in the nicest hotel of the trip, in Niagara Falls. When she tabulated the expenses of the trip, she paid 1/4 of the room, which was technically correct, but did leave me feeling like I was too generous on the gas $$. Any good advice so I don't repeat this scenario again with someone else?

Did you invite the cousion along? Did the cousin contribute to the driving, meals, etc? Did the cousion offer to use her car on the trip instead of yours?

50/50 seems the normal, easiest way to do it. And the last night dividing the room 4 ways seems fair too.

Now - in a PERFECT world the cousin would have offered to pay a bit more, or treated you to a nice dinner or something. But for you to ask for more than 50% of the gas would seem petty to me.

Let it go, you had an adventure......savour the memories and leave the money issues, which are no longer an issue behind. Lighten up and focus on the magic of travel.

If the purpose of the trip was to pick your daughter up at camp and the cousin came to keep you company (and have a bit of vacation), this seems more than fair. Actually, since there were 4 sharing the room, what would you have expected for her to pay? Did you expect her to pay for someone else? Sounds like your daughter's friend needs to chip in some money.

Yes, let it go

You should talk with her about it Before the trip. Now, let it go

I too get the impression that your cousin came with you on this trip so you would have company when you picked up your daughter and her friend from camp. Perhaps not but that is what it sounds like.

Next you could rent a car, and consequently each person could pay their percentage of the rental plus their percentage of the gasoline.

Did the parents of your child's friend contribute anything since you picked her up also?

I have taken road trips where someone else drove in their car. My problem has been they wouldnt even let me pay for my share of the gasoline. So I consequently insisted on paying for meals, it was the least I could do.

Hope you had a nice trip and enjoyed your cousins company. Well actually your husbands cousin.

LOL, I CAN spell cousin -- see, I did it!

Just let it go. Life is too short

I wouldn't fret over the trip you've already taken, though obviously you feel you should have taken more into consideration...

And, that's all you need to know when negotiating the next trip.

sounds fair to me. but since you seem to think differently consider it a lesson learned... any time in traveling talk about how expenses will be handled *before* the trip.

My father's rule was that the rider paid for all of the gas because the driver was paying for the car. Any additional expense such as oil was the driver's. Of course, if you were asking someone along for companionship, then the 50/50 rule is probably fair.

Well, you've already learned the main lesson, which is to think this through and clarify all expectations in advance! Dividing evenly (gas in half, room in fourths) is simple and straightforward. Anything fancier is going to get somebody riled up.

She already HAS let it go...her question is about next time. AAA estimates about 40c a mile to drive a car once you add wear 'n tear, gas, insurance, etc. So the 3000 mile trip cost you about $1200 minus whatever your friend paid.

If you'd rented a midsize car for two weeks and split it and the gas down the middle, you would have spent about $400 instead of $1200.

If the purpose of the trip was to pick up your daughter and friend from camp and you invited the cousin along to help with the drive, I don't think she is responsible for any of the gas expense. Of course, it was nice of her to split the gas cost with you.

Next time if you invite someone to go with you to pick up your daughter, you are responsible for the gas.

Your wording is screwy.

You went with your husband's cousin to pick up your daughter?

It goes back to my question...Did you invite the cousin along? That would make all the difference to me. Not to pick apart your words, but they are confusing. You say you went with your cousin, yet you picked up YOUR daughter. What was the EXACT purpose of the trip?

Sounds like a great "relations" question for:
>Dear Abby
>Annies Mailbox
>Dr. Laura
>Dr. Phil
How much MORE wear & tear did SHE put on the car over what you, daughter & friend put on it?

Let it go!

I don't think coldkelly should travel with anyone, read her post from August 2005

Author: coldkelly
Date: 08/28/2005, 09:32 pm
Just returned from a 10 day trip to East Coast with a relative who made me wish on a daily basis that I had picked someone else. First time this has ever happened to me. Anyone else have the same experience? This person was very uptight, moody and got quite edgy being in the car for long periods. I did have fun, but not as much as I could have had without her.