Jason's Storm Chasing Page

JASON'S STORM CHASING WORLD

Introduction

Chase Partners

Cost Overview

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GAS

Below is a few tables for calculating Gas prices. Because there are three factors, it isn't easy to graph in 2-D. Below the table is my previous formula when planning for 1999, but modified to reflect 2004 pricing and anticipated 2005 pricing

Miles>>>
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
12,000

gal. used>>> 272.73gal.
318.18gal.
363.64gal.
409.09gal.
454.55gal.
545.45gal.

$1.80
$490.914
$572.72

$818.19

$1.90
$518.19

$863.645

$2.00
$545.46

$909.10

$2.10
$572.73

$954.56

$2.20
$600.00

$1,000.01

$2.40
$654.55

$1,090.92

$2.60
$709.10

$1,181.83

$2.80
$763.64

$1,272.74

Increase 2004 total by 14.5% for increase in price, and mileage difference.

To estimate approximate mileage you think you will travel, below is a chart to illustrate how quickly miles add up when chasing in the plans. The bold values on the left are average daily mileage over the total length of trip. If travelling from outside the chase zone (Tornado Alley) be sure to factor those travels in as well (i.e. Miami to Dallas)

Accumulative Mileage
	7 Days	10 Days	14 Days	21 Days	28 Days	33 Days
150	1050	1500	2100	3150	4200	4950
200	1400	2000	2800	4200	5600	6600
300	2100	3000	4200	6300	8400	9900
400	2800	4000	5600	8400	11,200	13200
500	3500	5000	7000	10500	14000	16500
600	4200	6000	8400	12,600	16800	19800
700	4900	7000	9800	14700	19600
800	5600	8000	11200	16800
900	6300	9000	12600	18900
1,000	7000	10000	14000
1,100	7700	11000

LODGING

Lodging is fairly simple to graph. It's number of Days to Price per Day. Below is a graph for viewing. As before, I have left my 1999 notes at the bottom.

Lodging
	7 Days	10 Days	14 Days	21 Days	28 Days	33 Days
$10	70	100	140	210	280	330
$15	105	150	210	315	420	495
$20	140	200	280	420	560	660
$25	175	250	350	525	700	825
$30	210	300	420	630	840	990
$40	280	400	560	840	1120	1320
$50	350	500	700	1050	1400	1650
$60	420	600	840	1260	1680	1980
$70	490	700	980	1470	1960	2310

FOOD

Much more effort should be put into the planning of food consumption. Food that will be taken upon departure of trip and food shopping lists for purchase on the road should be listed and strictly followed.

CELLULAR/INTERNET

Because of the nature of the internet access on the road planning of cost for cell phone is hard. What must be determined is access out in Rural and ranch areas in the depth of the central plains. Be sure to stick with one of the major cell phone companies and be sure tho check if existing analog equipment can still be used or if digital equipment would be better and cheaper. See if list or some document exists of the locations of towers, coverage of the company’s equipment. Be careful of agreements or lack of agreements between companies that may affect the billing for cellular use.

AUTO REPAIR/ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

With the large amount of miles typically placed on a vehicle during the time of Storm Chasing a good number of routine maintenance will have to be done while out on the road. I would be advisable to get familiar with the vehicle that will be used during the trip so that as much maintenance can be done without having to pay for labor costs. Many replacement parts should be purchased prior to departure, unless using a rental vehicle.

If you'd like to email me, please mail me at this address:

n3prz@aol.com

Last Update: 12-27-2001 11:55pm Eastern Standard Time

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