Driving your car used to be one of the most popular modes of travel to Florida until the drastic rise in gasoline prices. However, the more passengers, the more economical it will be — that is, unless you own a gas-guzzling SUV or van, in which case you lose that economic advantage. And while it's still the best way to explore Coastal Florida, the distance you'll have to drive will be a long one unless you live in an adjoining state.

From the northeastern and mid-Atlantic parts of the country, you can drive down I-95, America's consumer answer to the Daytona Speedway. Driving this superhighway for long distances can be stressful to say the least. So you might want to consider breaking up your trip and meandering down roads along the eastern seaboard from time to time. Good spots to enjoy the countryside and take a break from high-speed driving are at Richmond, Virginia, with a side trip to Williamsburg to see the historic sites or to visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg, or near Charleston, South Carolina, to visit that historic city.

If you're coming from the west, you'll most likely be taking I-10 through Houston and New Orleans, connecting with I-75 to go to the west coast or over to I-95 if you're headed to Jacksonville. If you're coming from the Midwest, you'll be coming into Florida on I-75 through Georgia.

Consider joining a national automobile club like the American Automobile Association (AAA) to protect yourself in case of on-the-road breakdowns. These clubs offer insurance covering accidents, personal injury, arrest and bail bond, and lawyer's fees for defense of contested traffic cases. They also give you twenty-four-hour emergency service, including free towing to a garage within 3 miles. Plus, AAA provides a nationwide list of AAA-approved mechanics — unfortunately, not all mechanics are honest. And finally, they provide a travel- and vacation-planning service, including advice about which roads are best and maps. The cost for all this is $60 a year plus a $15 enrollment fee and includes spouse and family in your membership. (703-222-6000, www.aaa.com)

To reduce the amount of cash you need to carry on such a long trip, it's a good idea to apply for several gas cards from the major oil companies. All offer credit cards, which can be used nationwide to pay for gas, repairs, and most car parts at their respective service stations, where you can also pick up an application. It used to be that these cards allowed you to charge in two ways: some allow you to carry charges from month to month while others insist that you pay the full balance due at the end of each monthly period. But with the rise in gasoline prices, many companies have switched their gas cards over to regular MasterCard or Visa credit cards, allowing you to run up a tab on your trip and pay it off in either one payment or in installments with the addition of a 16 percent or higher monthly finance charge.

Considerations for Your Car

Make sure your car is in top working condition before leaving home for Florida, paying special attention to your tires and brakes, including your spare. Get the car tuned up and be sure to check the lights, battery, radiator, transmission, brakes, engine, shock absorbers, tires, and horn. You may also want to have your car's timing adjusted to adapt to warm tropical weather. Instead of a bunch of road maps, you'll do better to purchase a Rand McNally Vacation Guide and Road Atlas, which not only shows the roads in the state but has an annotated attraction guide.

If your car breaks down, you may have serious problems. To save time and headaches, especially when driving a long distance, always carry spare parts — fan belt, spare tire, gas and oil filters, fuses, spark plugs, points, gaskets, distributor cap, and an extra gas cap — and learn how to install them in case of an emergency. Mechanics along the way will do their best to fix your car, but tales of car maintenance scams are legendary on the route to Florida.

Have your car serviced regularly when driving in Florida if you're on a long trip. The extra heat and humidity will put a strain on your car's engine and air-conditioning system. A little extra care will help to ensure a problem-free vacation.

It also pays to recognize when your car is telling you there's something wrong:

• Your car has trouble starting: You may have a vapor lock caused by Florida's hot weather. Place a cold, wet rag on the fuel line and pump.

• Your car's engine misses after quick acceleration: Clean the spark plugs.

• There's a rattle in the rear: Have the muffler or tailpipe tightened.

• There's a rattle in the front: Have a mechanic check for a bent fan blade or loose pulley.

• There's a loud squealing noise when you turn the wheel: Add power steering fluid.

Also, check for leaks by spreading paper on the ground under your car and look for the following:

• Brown or black fluid indicates an oil leak.

• Pink fluid near the wheel indicates a brake fluid leak.

• Pink or reddish fluid indicates an automatic transmission seal leak.

• Greenish fluid near the front of the car indicates a radiator leak.

Considerations for Your Family

When traveling by car in Florida, especially with children, be sure to take along a supply of snacks and fresh water or juices. You may consider packing a lunch, or asking if your hotel restaurant can pack one for you, if you're planning on driving through mostly rural countryside. In addition to food, you should carry along some games or other activities for your children to keep them occupied on long distances. If you're driving a newer van, you may want to bring along some of your favorite CDs and DVDs and consider purchasing a portable DVD player if your vehicle doesn't already have one.

Check Your Insurance

Before you leave, make sure all your insurance is up-to-date. Check with your health care provider to make sure you're covered in Florida. If not, you can get adequate coverage either from a travel agent's insurance plan or from specialist travel insurance companies such as Travelers (www.travelers.com) or TravelSafe (Toll-free 888-885-7233, www.travelsafe.com). If you are unable to use a phone or if the practitioner requires immediate payment, save all the forms to support a claim for subsequent reimbursement once you return home. Remember also that time limits may apply when making claims after the fact, so be prompt in contacting your insurer. Bring along the phone or fax number of your insurance agent to speed up your claim.

The same applies to your car insurance if you're driving to or in Florida. Read over your policy to familiarize yourself with your coverage. Make sure your insurance card is in the glove compartment of your vehicle. Check with the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the Florida Department of Transportation for any Florida driving rules that are different from those at home. For instance, some states allow you to turn right after stopping at a red light if no traffic is coming, while others don't.

Taking Your RV

Many families drive their recreational vehicles (RVs) to Florida. Though a recent study showed that you could save up to 70 percent on overall costs by taking your RV on vacation rather than flying, renting a car, and staying in hotels, it seems with adding in the extra costs like gasoline — RVs aren't known for their good gas mileage — and the cost of about $25 per night to stay in a campground that traveling by RV today isn't the bargain it once was. Of course, the total amount you spend will vary depending on the distance you travel, the size of your vehicle, and whether you own or rent the vehicle.

Renting an RV once you get to Florida is another option. If you don't enjoy driving, want to leave housekeeping chores behind you when you go on vacation, cannot stand to do any maintenance or simple handyman chores, and need lots of privacy, then an RV isn't for you. But if you don't mind doing all of the above, then renting an RV may be ideal.

You can rent a 31-foot Fleetwood Double-Sided RV for about $180 a day with a three-night minimum, plus 28 cents per mile over the 125 miles per day included in the daily rental. Costs can add up fast if you go over your allotted mileage. Considering that you could stay in a moderately priced hotel for $50 to $100 per night, this doesn't seem like such a good deal. Veteran RVers argue that you'll save money by cooking your meals in your RV. While that may be true part of the time, in reality, you'll want to go out to eat once in a while — after all, this is your vacation. They also contend that luxury campgrounds offer amenities like tennis courts and pools as part of the charge.

Most Florida hotels have pools and a good many have tennis courts, plus many other amenities.

Consider this: The cost for a family of four to fly to Miami ($300 per person) and rent an RV ($180 per day) would be approximately $3,000. Using low daily estimates, the same cost traveling by plane ($300 per person), renting a car ($35 per day), staying in a hotel ($100 per night), and eating out (about $85 per day) comes to $2,745 — a savings of $255. Of course, the cost of either method doesn't include incidentals and admission charges to attractions, which can add up (e.g., nearly $150 to get into the Kennedy Space Center alone).

If you're still set on renting an RV, you need to reserve one at least a month in advance from any of the following dealers:

• A & E Truck & Travel: Panama City, www.cruiseamerica.com/koa

• Adventure Touring RV Rentals: Miami, adventuretouring.com

• All Star Coaches: Fort Lauderdale, www.allstarcoaches.com

• Camp USA: Pompano Beach, www.rvmiami.com

• Florida RV Net: Saint Petersburg, www.Florida-RV.net

• M & M RV Rentals: Fort Myers, www.mandmrvrentals.com

• Recreation World: Ormond Beach, www.grwrv.com

• RV Rentals of Tampa Bay, Inc.: Tampa, www.cruiseamerica.com/koa

• RVs to Go: Venice, www.venicervrentals.com

• Silver Ghost Rentals: Pensacola, www.cruiseamerica.com/koa

• Thriftique Shoppe: Jacksonville, www.cruiseamerica.com/koa

Since much of Florida's coastal terrain is flat, a well-equipped RV like a Fleetwood or Winnebago, complete with a portable toilet, propane stove and refrigerator, bed, and two 5-gallon water containers, will let you travel independently anywhere in Florida. It should also have oversized tires and heavy-duty shocks for better traction and to handle heavy loads if you plan on driving on rough back roads. To make getting around easier once you arrive at your destination if you're driving a larger RV, you can tow a small car behind it.