Before reading any further, I don't care about your opinion on USBC, the Open, El Paso as a location for the Open, how unfair that the Open is never close to where you live, that the Open is in Reno too much, etc, etc... 

I'm going to El Paso next year in June to bowl the Open. Although I took a flight to Baton Rouge, I intended to drive to El Paso.


1137 miles, so figure 18 hours +/- of driving time. Car rental would be around $500 (I would never drive my car on such a trip), gas @ $4 a gallon would be $300 +/-. Figure if I didn't stay in a motel, my cost to drive would be around $800.


Then I read this article and it got me thinking of checking it out.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2014/07/13/greyhound-transformation-100th-anniversary/12364103/


I've done the bus travel thing in the past, but like 30 years ago. However, after checking out the details, I will probably make the trip on Greyhound to El Paso.


Ticket cost $133 round trip. Travel time would only be about 5 hours difference. No need for a motel. I would rent a car in El Paso once I got there, but it would knock at least 3 days off the rental period. You can take one bag free, plus $15 for a second bag. If you want to take more, say a four ball box, that would cost you $77.


Seems like a no brainer, the bus has WiFi, you can sleep, and would be stress free unless you got someone's smelly Uncle Fred next to you. A rental car for three days less, same car actually is a lot less expensive than where I live in Stockton, CA. That would be around $250 when considering three less days of rental. I won't need a motel on the way there, even if I get sleepy. No chance of getting caught in a speed trap either. These buss's have WiFi and many have TV.


$800+/- to drive, or $575+/- to take the bus? I think I will go Greyhound.


Anyone have recent experience taking the Greyhound Express service?

I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons.  I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.

It definitely won't be relaxing if it's a bus full of Raider fan.

We drive to Reno and Vegas every time it's there and we take our own vehicle . . and that's just under 1600 miles for us.  I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive your own car . . if it's personal preference I'm not trying to bash you for that and I wouldn't, I just didn't know if there would be another reason, because my personal preference would just be to take my own vehicle. 

We drive to Reno and Vegas every time it's there and we take our own vehicle . . and that's just under 1600 miles for us.  I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive your own car . . if it's personal preference I'm not trying to bash you for that and I wouldn't, I just didn't know if there would be another reason, because my personal preference would just be to take my own vehicle. 

It's a Honda Civic. Not a real comfortable long distance car for one. And two, I will be taking 7 bowling balls probably, which will be in the trunk with other luggage. I don't really want all that extra weight in the trunk on a long trip.

I get ask this question often actually.  Other things I consider:

1) If I wreck the rental, they send me another rental. If I wreck my car, then I'm stuck until I get it towed and get a rental anyway. AND I have to be out of my car until I get it replaced or repaired.

2) If my rental gets stolen, then they give me another rental, if my car gets stolen, then I have to get a rental, plus I have to replace my car when I get home.

3) If my rental has mechanical problems, they give me another rental, if my car has mechanical problems, then I have to have my car towed and repaired. And would probably need a rental to get to El Paso on time while my car is in the shop.

That's my reasons for renting a car for a longer trip. I'm aware that opinions vary. 

Lol that makes sense to me.  Better safe than sorry . .

Quote from: Gizmo823 on July 15, 2014, 12:45:46 PM

We drive to Reno and Vegas every time it's there and we take our own vehicle . . and that's just under 1600 miles for us.  I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive your own car . . if it's personal preference I'm not trying to bash you for that and I wouldn't, I just didn't know if there would be another reason, because my personal preference would just be to take my own vehicle. 

It's a Honda Civic. Not a real comfortable long distance car for one. And two, I will be taking 7 bowling balls probably, which will be in the trunk with other luggage. I don't really want all that extra weight in the trunk on a long trip.

I get ask this question often actually.  Other things I consider:

1) If I wreck the rental, they send me another rental. If I wreck my car, then I'm stuck until I get it towed and get a rental anyway. AND I have to be out of my car until I get it replaced or repaired.

2) If my rental gets stolen, then they give me another rental, if my car gets stolen, then I have to get a rental, plus I have to replace my car when I get home.

3) If my rental has mechanical problems, they give me another rental, if my car has mechanical problems, then I have to have my car towed and repaired. And would probably need a rental to get to El Paso on time while my car is in the shop.

That's my reasons for renting a car for a longer trip. I'm aware that opinions vary. 

Quote from: itsallaboutme on July 15, 2014, 12:16:58 PM

I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons.  I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.

It definitely won't be relaxing if it's a bus full of Raider fan.

Thats not very nice ! :>)

Quote from: milorafferty on July 15, 2014, 12:35:17 PM

Quote from: itsallaboutme on July 15, 2014, 12:16:58 PM

I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons.  I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.

It definitely won't be relaxing if it's a bus full of Raider fan.

Thats not very nice ! :>)

Now Gene, you know I didn't mean you. LOL

There is a big difference between "Raider Fan" and a Raiders Fan.

Lol yeah, you'll notice I wasn't giving any . . but none of my travel arrangements were my decision, never are.  If I had it my way I'd fly to the long stuff, and carpool with just a couple people to the shorter stuff.  The year we went to Albuquerque went pretty good. 

Maybe you aren't the best to giving travel guidance to people?  Just saying'…..