During this era of $4-a-gallon gasoline, increasing airline fees and tight budgets, finding an obvious solution to that dilemma isn't easy. The answer depends on numerous factors, including the amount of time parents can take off from their jobs, the way families want to see the country and how big a factor the budget is.

Travel options to Los Angeles for a trip from July 15-22 include driving your own car, flying into LAX, taking a bus or hopping on a train. All have their advantages and some problems.

At first glance, the cheapest way to travel might be to take the $110 round-trip ride from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles on a Greyhound bus, a trip that takes a little over 15 hours to complete one way. Once you get there, however, you'll probably have to rent a car.

Here is a look at the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of summer travel from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles.

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* TOM WHARTON can be contacted at wharton@sltrib.com or 801-257-8909. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com.

Choose wisely

Vacation transportation from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, Calif.: Travel dates: July 15-22; Distance from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles: 700 miles

By car

Time: 11 hours with few stops

Cost: $400 for gasoline for a round trip, figuring gasoline at $4 a gallon for a vehicle that gets between 25 and 30 miles a gallon. Using the Internal Revenue Service's figure that driving a car costs 51 cents per mile, figure $714 as the actual cost.

Schedule: Timetable and schedule are flexible.

Advantages: You have transportation once you get to Los Angeles, and you get to set your own schedule. Most economical if you are transporting a family.

Disadvantages: Gas prices in Nevada and California are well over $4 a gallon. There is the wear and tear on your car as well as the wear and tear on the driver. There is also freeway traffic in Utah County, Las Vegas and Southern California, not to mention road construction in St. George. Interstate is fast but not particularly interesting unless you want to stop in Vegas or see the world's largest thermometer in Baker, Calif.

By airplane

Time: 1 hour 52 minutes flying time

Cost: $173 round trip for one person on United or Delta

Schedule: Various flight options throughout the day

Advantages: This is the fastest method of travel, which means more time to relax at the beach or at your favorite theme park. For two people, the cost is comparable to driving.

Disadvantages: You will have to rent a car or figure out public transportation once you reach Los Angeles, which adds to the expense. Airline delays, security hassles and potential luggage problems are always possible. Coach seats are uncomfortable. If traveling with a family, this can be expensive.

By train

Time: About 26 hours

Cost: $238 per person one way ($476 round trip)

Schedule: Leave at 11:30 p.m. July 15 from Salt Lake City and arrive at 2:45 a.m. July 16 at Los Angeles' Union Station. Includes train ride from Salt Lake City to Sacramento, Calif., bus ride to Stockton, Calif., train ride to Bakersfield, Calif., and bus ride to Los Angeles.

Advantages: The enjoyment and romance of a long train ride, a fact mitigated by the fact that the trip occurs in the middle of the night.

Disadvantages: Train travel is inconvenient because of the lack of a good route from Salt Lake to Los Angeles. It is far more expensive than any other transportation mode. You have to make four transfers and you still must figure out how to get around once you reach Los Angeles.

By bus

Time: About 15 hours and 15 minutes

Cost: With a seven-day advance purchase, cost is $110 round trip.

Schedule: Bus leaves Salt Lake City at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. On the return, the bus leaves Los Angeles at 2:35 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.

Advantages: For a single traveler or couple, this is the least expensive travel option and doesn't take that much longer than driving a car. You can enjoy the ride while someone else drives. Newer buses are much more comfortable than you might expect.

Disadvantages: You need to rent a car or take public transportation once you reach Los Angeles. Though there are some family discounts available, traveling with a family is more expensive than by automobile.