Cost of leasing a private bus and/or driver

[Big_Ben]

I am looking into taking a road trip from Columbus, OH to LA via Lexington, KY or from Lexington directly for New Years Eve. It was originally going to be a small group of friends and we were just going to rent a fuel efficient rental car. The number is growing and we don't really know what to do. Airline tickets are just out of the question and we love the idea of a road trip. Most of the charter buses I have found have been the 50+ seat variety. We are looking at having 6-12 people going. I would really like to find a motorcoach to lease for the trip. From what I have been reading liability and insurance are big issues.

I know some of the people on here work for rental places or lease their own buses out. I was wondering what it would cost to actually lease a bus for the trip. Here are the details:

Dec 27th - Jan 4th
Either Columbus, OH - LA or Lexington, KY - LA
Number of passengers: 8-12
Passenger age: 22-26
The drive is ~34 hours
There would be 3-4 designated drivers, no more than 6 hour shifts driving.
Willing to go through basic training in driving the bus or look into getting CDLs for the drivers if necessary.
Would be sleeping 1 night in the bus in each direction.
Trip would be limited to almost all highway driving.
We would be parking the bus at the hotel in LA until we were ready to leave.
If it isn't equipped with GPS we would be willing to buy a cheap unit so the leaser could track the bus and see that it is parked like promised.
Would be willing to pay for a driver(s) but still want to make the trip within 2 days so I don't know if that is possible.

I was wanting to get a bus/motorcoach to solve a few problems and hopefully be financially feasible option. Most of the people going own either SUV's or small cars which don't work well for road trips. If 12 people end up going that would be 3 rental cars we would need to rent. Not to mention paying insurance for all the drivers on each. We would also need to rent 3+ hotel rooms on the way out there and the way back. Once in LA we plan on parking the bus at the hotel and not moving it until we are ready to leave. It would also be easier to rotate drivers in a single vehicle than in 3 vehicles.

Taking a bus would be a lot easier for us in the long run and roughly the same price (I would imagine). I was just wondering what this would cost and what companies/people would be willing to do it?

Like I said above we would be willing to pay for a driver if it is still possible to make the trip in time. Paying for insurance for all drivers is a must. We would also be willing to put down a deposit for the bus as insurance against damage.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Big Ben,

Welcome!

It sounds to me like you may need to lease an Entertainer Coach "band bus" with bunks and lots of seating to accommadate you and your friends.

They usually have many bunks, good sound systems, generator onboard, lots of seating and lav.. but, 2 nights on the trip is not much.

Another option would be to rent a Motorhome from a RV dealer.

Good Luck
Nick-

[JackConrad]

Entertainer Coaches of America (ECA) in Leesburg, Fl leases entertainer coaches.  They require their driver to be the only person operaqting the coach.  I do not know any other details of their lease agreements.  The use mostly Prevost coaches.  Jack

[niles500]

http://www.hemphillbrothers.com

Or ask them to refer you to someone else (cheaper) in N'ville -HTH

[WEC4104]

Interesting scenario.  I would think your options shape up as follows..

1) Rent an RV or motor home, as Nick mentioned. That should be pretty straightforward, but be sure to read the mileage fine print.  Many RV rentals give you a set number of "free" miles for evey rental day, then nail you on every mile over that.  Calculate your total cost upfront, using your anticipated miles traveled.

2) Renting a coach without driver.  I would expect this to be difficult to find. I wouldn't expect many owners to jump at renting a coach to a group of 20-somethings for a New Year's road trip to LA (New Orleans?)  No CDL (or brand new CDL), multiple drivers, long travel hours, possible snow/ice.   Just paints a high risk picture to them, and I'd be surprised to find someone willing to do this.

3) Renting a coach with driver(s).  Possible, but I think you need to explore these costs.  If you are looking to drive straight through, thereby saving the in-transit hotel rooms for your group, you aren't going to do it with one driver.  Then, after arriving at your destination, the drivers need accomodations in LA, or possibly more travel costs.   


.... if you want a more unique experience for your friends, charter a rail car.  I have no idea what the costs might be, but you aren't tying up multiple drivers for a week. If you want to do some dreaming about possibilities, check out the this link and take a look at the Oliver Hazard Perry and the Vista Dome.

http://www.aaprco.com/Cars/car_type_index.html

Cool, huh?

[tekebird]

pretty much impossible to do with even two driver's legally in a driver provided coach. even with bunk time provided.

I think finding a RV that will seat 12 will be very difficult.

Very long drive, I suspect you can fly commercial cheaper if you know how to shop airfare

[robert]

You need to call Todd Lay from Atlanta Custom Coach. His number is 770-463-5624. He leases Entertainer coaches and provides the driver.

[tekebird]

pretty much can assure you you will not find someone to lease you a coach with you driving.

Coach with driver and you will need at least 2drivers at 200.00 a day or so (1800.00), and will still have to hotel up every day or so to meet DOT regs.  bus will likey cost you 800.00 plus a day (so there's 7 grand or so)

oh and then we have fuel plan on around 5000.00 so we are around 14k

then we have the hotel room s enroute for both you and the drivers

Pretty sure you can Fly to LA and get a limo out there for your needs cheaper than leasing a coach w driver's

[makemineatwostroke]

Ben; you are going to have sticker shock when you get a price most are over 1000 bucks per day plus fuel and the driver rent you a bunk house type RV for 300 a day plus fuel and no special drivers license needed  just gas and go     have a great day

[Big_Ben]

I think I am going to have to look into RVs more. That will be fine as long as I stay under 8 people since I don't know of many that seat more than that. After I posted I thought more about the costs assosciated with renting a coach and driver and it really isn't feasable. Airfair is roughly $500-600 per person so anything over $7000 isn't really worth it. Probably looking at $2000 for gas leaving only $5k for the rental and driver. Not going to happen.