90 miles for $200.00? Reasonable?

[Tom Howland]

If no hotel is involved. A 1 hour and a half ride is not to bad. How long is the gig, hours ? If its 4 hours or under $200.00 a Man is not bad.

 

[lamarjones]

driving 90 miles after a gig is the norm for me.

 

[Birdsbassist]

Gig came up thats 90 miles (about 1 hour 40 minutes from me) and will pay $200.00.

Details overall are sketchy/non-existant but so far the B.L. that sets these things up hasn't led us into anything thats been truly bad. It's supposed to pay $200.00 per person.

Is that reasonable? I've driven as far or further for less in the past but these days I try to keep those long distance gigs to a minimum, mainly because I have trouble staying awake on the drive home...That basically means stopping every 30 minutes or so to nap, or worst case getting a motel room, taking an Ambien and sleeping for 4-5 hours in a real bed.

90 miles... 200.00 nope

 

[Birdsbassist]

90 miles and 200.00... hell to da naw naw naw

 

[brianrost]

I don't look just at gasoline costs. The IRS expense reimbursement rate for travel is just over 50 cents per mile. So, $90 for a 180 mile round trip. Carpooling make it less costly, of course. If a 5 piece band makes the tirp, the estimated cost is only $18 each.

For $200? I have taken gigs like that and would do so again. I do expect to get paid more as drives get longer.

 

[TeamScorpioRI]

I used to do that all the time. We had a regular gig about an hour and a half away for about that same pay. First couple times driving it sucked, but I got used to it. If the drive back is that bad, maybe carpool with someone else in the band. You drive up there and the other person drives home. That is what we do for those gigs. Anything over a 2 hour drive we bump up the pay a couple hundred dollars and get hotel rooms for the band.

 

[Clark Dark]

90 miles is about the distance from Philly to AC
go get that $200

 

[beaglesandbass]

I've driven farther for less, so yeah I'd say it's worth it.

 

[SpyderX]

Where I live, a 90 mile drive in certain directions on a Friday night could end up being a 3 hour tour

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Gig came up thats 90 miles (about 1 hour 40 minutes from me) and will pay $200.00.

Details overall are sketchy/non-existant but so far the B.L. that sets these things up hasn't led us into anything thats been truly bad. It's supposed to pay $200.00 per person.

Is that reasonable? I've driven as far or further for less in the past but these days I try to keep those long distance gigs to a minimum, mainly because I have trouble staying awake on the drive home...That basically means stopping every 30 minutes or so to nap, or worst case getting a motel room, taking an Ambien and sleeping for 4-5 hours in a real bed.

If want to do it, any price is reasonable. If you don't, than don't.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Nope!

 

[rtslinger]

Gig came up thats 90 miles (about 1 hour 40 minutes from me) and will pay $200.00.

Details overall are sketchy/non-existant but so far the B.L. that sets these things up hasn't led us into anything thats been truly bad. It's supposed to pay $200.00 per person.

Is that reasonable? I've driven as far or further for less in the past but these days I try to keep those long distance gigs to a minimum, mainly because I have trouble staying awake on the drive home...That basically means stopping every 30 minutes or so to nap, or worst case getting a motel room, taking an Ambien and sleeping for 4-5 hours in a real bed.

Sure $200.00 for 2 hours

 

[BassAndReeds]

I will go to AC from Philly for less than $200. Minimal traffic. Highway miles.

I will not go to NYC from Philly for $200. Traffic. Lots of Tolls. Headaches a plenty.

So the mileage doesn’t matter really. It’s the overall hassle.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I'd do it if it's a fun gig. $200 is about as low as I'd go for a full band gig.

 

[BooDoggie]

I've traveled a whole lot further for a lot less. I never really worried about the money so much as the rush of playing live. I probably spent more than I got paid a few times, but hey, it's all about the music not the pay...

 

[ZAR14]

Only You can answer whether it's worth it or not...

 

[Doublesixes]

I'd definitely do it for $200. Just think that staying at home will rob you of the experience of being out there doing your music in front of a paying audience. In the end what counts are the memories and the satisfaction of having lived your life with intensity.

If you get tired and motel expenses are out of the question, try rest areas if available/possible. You'd be amazed at what 45 minutes worth of naptime can do to a tired driver.

 

[Dbassmon]

Not a great deal for you. If you need $, sure.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Exposure is priceless.

If you can, deduct the travel expenses on your taxes.

 

[BassAndReeds]

Exposure is priceless.

If you can, deduct the travel expenses on your taxes.

Depends, is it decent or indecent?

Technically you can only deduct the expenses if this gig is issuing a 1099. Which I doubt it is. But I could be wrong. And Im sure that hasn’t stopped anyone before.