Sunday night I flushed my only key to my 2008 Dodge Caravan down the toilet...don't ask. LOL The dealer wanted to charge me $180 for a new one and that was just for the plastic key part and not even for the vallet key that inserts into it. I happened to do an internet search and found that you can buy one on Amazon for $69 and it includes a new uncut vallet key too. Anyways I ordered it yesterday after reading that the programming is a simple procedure that can be done by a locksmith or the dealer. I called the locksmith yesterday and he said that I need a pin number and that I can get it from the dealer but the dealer will charge for it so it would probably just be easier to get the programming done by the dealer. I called the dealer and they want $60 to program my key. $60!!! And they also told me that the van would need to be there for them to do it. I have no spare key so I would need to pay someone to tow it almost 30 miles to the dealer.
My questions are...
Is there any way for me to program it myself?
Is there any way to get around having to have it towed to the dealer if I do have to have someone else program it?

Thanks!!!

Wow that sucks. I would call other dodge dealers in the area too.

I think in order to program a new key, you need to have an already programmed key. You say you read that the key can be programmed by a dealer or locksmith. With that information, why didn't you think about how you would get your car to them? I would suggest that you go easy on the jack and also not to flush your keys down the toilet.

Well I can't speak for the OP, but I would have probably assumed they could do it using the VIN.

But the security systems on these new cars requires a computer program I think. I'm not certain but with all of the computer controlled systems who really knows?

In order to program a New key yourself, you need 2 existing working key.
Other wise, your only option is tow it to the dealership.