Driving to Fairbanks Alaska

[Idahotom]

I have a brother and his family in Fairbanks I havn't touched base with for a few years. I am pondering over how to get up there and back in the most cost effective manner. Keeping in mind I have an airplane (small, experimental) that cruises at 90 mph using a bit less then 4 GPH, and my time is not really valuable, but my income stops totally when I am out of town (one man crane service).

After figuring the expense of a commercial airline ticket, the gas and most especially the time flying my own plane (bad weather can result in several days waiting through weather I could easily drive through) I keep coming back to just jumping in the '08 HB Yaris and hitting the road. I'd re-install my sleeper bunk, and just sleep on the road when required, and I'd be able to take Ted the dog.... 5400 miles round trip, figured at 40 mpg that's only 135 gallons. I'd take some extra fuel cells (5.2 gallons ea. made of collapsible rubber) I normally haul in the airplane, so I could buy fuel when it's cheapest. I have flying buddies (in other states) that can't believe I'd pass up the flight, but the border hassles/red tape for getting through with a homebuilt airplane, weather, and total potential time spent on the trip keep me coming back to the mighty Toyota. KISS in other words. If I make the trip, I would probably throw in the spare tire, normally kept in the shop, other then that I would just hit it. The thought of making the trip in the Yaris appeals to my sense of doing more with less, and with just me and Ted, there'd be plenty of room. I'll post a brief report after I make the trip, along with my (carefully) documented fuel burn.