There's not a simple single answer to this. Lots of factors involved, especially if you're still working or retired, or if working, how much vacation time you can get. Different people different situations. For the self employed (Jeff, Crusha, Ben) time away from work is time away from conducting business and keeping your income flowing. For an old retired guy like me time is not that much of a major consideration anymore.
Maybe a person's truck is suitable for the roads in Colorado or Utah but not that great on the interstates; my 40 would be a prime example. That's why I shipped it to Moab in 2016. Other vehicles are suited to almost everything, it's why guys like Mitch and Jeff outfit their rigs as expedition type vehicles. I believe that's the direction Steve is going with his Taco and my HDJ81 is pretty much the same.
I thoroughly enjoyed last year's Colorado trip from the moment I left home till the day I got back. The drive out was perfect, the trip around CO very good, and the ride home went without issue. I bought the 81 specifically to do that trip and it performed admirably. I didn't caravan out or back- yes it was not cheap to pay for hotel rooms and all the fuel myself but the drives out and back were both pleasant and enjoyable. Actually I happen to like driving long distances as long as I have a dependable vehicle. Mitch if you have to drive your truck without a passenger just go for it- the trip will be worthwhile making. Definitely a rite of passage for you and your rig.
Roughly looking at costs from last year, I used hotel rooms two nights out and two nights back, say $100 per night, total $400. Fuel use for 1600 miles each way, total of 3200 miles at 18mpg diesel my fuel cost was about $600. Between gas and hotels total of $1000, and add some money for food and incidentals, maybe $200. So roughly $1200 for the drive out and back. Salt Lake City is a good 400 miles from Idaho Springs, our terminus last year so figure fuel anyway for that mileage each way. Total might be about $1400-$1500, could be even more if a heavily loaded gas powered 80 series truck costs more to run on the interstate than my diesel. Shipping let's say $2400 for the ride out and back and another $300 for the flight, total $2700. If the difference in cost doesn't make up for time lost at work or if you just plain don't want to spend three days on the road each way shipping is the ticket. If you have the time and proper vehicle, and want to drive out and back, that is by far the least expensive way. All depends on each person's perspective. That's my two cents...……….
