Does anyone need a ride to Austin next month?

[mckitterick]

Hi folks -

I'm considering driving from Lawrence, Kansas to Austin, Texas for this year's Nebula Awards Weekend on April 25-27 in Austin, Texas.

I'm trying to avoid flying due to costs and PITA factor - the airport is an hour in the wrong direction, for example, and I'd have to pay to park there, yada-yada. However, driving alone doesn't seem terribly smart, so I'm looking for a passenger or three to share gas costs. Gas is actually a lot cheaper than flying, especially if split one or more ways.

Who needs a ride to Austin, at least for part of the drive? Here's the map of the route.

Chris

Comments

[renegade500.livejournal.com]

Well, I obviously don't need a ride, but we've had such great weather lately, so I'm hoping it holds out for that weekend!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Me, too, though I don't expect there'll be a great deal of going out from the hotel.

Do you know how far it is from the airport to the con hotel and the cost of a taxi into town? I'm trying to factor in everything to decide if I really want to drive.

[renegade500.livejournal.com]

I'd say it's around 10 miles or so to the hotel from the airport. The hotel is downtown, the airport nowhere near downtown.

I think the cheapest option from the airport would be super shuttle. Not sure what the rate would be, but from where I live to the airport (which is about 25 miles), the rate is $19 one way, so I'm guessing it would be closer to $10-12 to the hotel.

BTW, it would be a shame not to get out of the hotel at all. That weekend is Eeyore's Birthday Party, one of the best of the spring (hippy) festivals here.

[cmt2779.livejournal.com]

Whoa. That is one longass drive. I mean, I've driven from DFW to Lawrence and from DFW to Austin, but the thought of putting those two trips together is kind of overwhelming.

On the other hand, if you do decide to drive, maybe your schedule will allow a stop in Fort Worth on the way there or back for food and a break from the car. If so, let me know. It'd be neat to say hi as you pass through. :-)

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

It looks as if it's only a few more hours beyond DFW, and Google Maps suggest that the drive is less than 11 hours total - completely do-able in a day!

A stop along the way to visit would be grand. But, what's this? You live that close to the Nebs and you're not going?

[cmt2779.livejournal.com]

Nope, not going. I'm trying my darndest to save money for this summer *and* to spend as much of my time reading for comps as I can stand. I might be able to swing a weekend trip after the spring semester ends, but probably not before.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I hear you; still, y'know, it's nearby and if you've never done a Nebula Weekend before... just sayin' *g*

[cmt2779.livejournal.com]

Tempter! Bad Chris, trying to lure me away from my diligent work habits and thrifty saving. *tsk*

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Well, y'know, you could always hitch a ride with someone passing through....

*g*

[renegade500.livejournal.com]

There's a lot of construction on 35 just south of Dallas and Ft. Worth, so that will slow you down. Austin is 3.5-4 hours south of Ft. Worth, depending on traffic. (My last drive up to Dallas took almost 7 hours because of a horrendous accident.)

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the info and tips!

[secret-malady.livejournal.com]

I've driven there by myself, but it's quite a chore. If you need a stopping place to rest, my parents live off I-35 north of Fort Worth, and they always have tequilla and guacamole and love guests.

If I weren't going to Chicago a few days later I'd totally go. I love Austin! You'll have a wonderful time there.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I should be able to do it in one jaunt, though. It's interesting to consider driving vs. flying:

Driving: 11 hours. Comfort: Excellent, but a sore butt after a while. Cost: $150 (in Newport, 100 gallons round-trip split two - or more - ways; in Crossfire, 50 gallons by myself).

Flying: 2.5 hours + 1 hour to airport + 1 hour early arrival + 1 hour at the airport and taxi ride etc. = ~ 5.5 hours. Comfort: Riiiight. Cost: $300.

Seems that driving wins.

[amjhawk.livejournal.com]

It's what the new car is made for!

Also, I don't know what these people are talking about. 11 hours is pretty simple, especially with multiple people to serve as entertaining passengers/alternative drivers.

Back in my day, I used to drive 12 hours to Lubbock or Columbus, in the snow and uphill both ways through herds of gargadons.

[roya-spirit.livejournal.com]

^ Totally beat me to the punch on that one!

You know.. I might talk to the Jaybird. My folkses are in Austin that weekend, and my old buddy Tina just moved there, so we'd have crashspots ourselves... hmmm. We're far overdue a road trip somewhere!
(and to reassure you, despite our proclivities, we do not imbibe in de road vehiculars).

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Hey, that would be fun! Just lemme know.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! See my calculations above, too.

Too bad you don't live here any more; would be fun to road-trip down to your homeland.