With high gasoline prices, Americans on the go must consider options

By John M. Crisp

Americans are thinking about transportation this summer. Some are considering whether they can afford to take their annual family driving vacation. Others are thinking about whether they can afford to drive to work.

I’m thinking about going to Wichita, Kansas. What are my options?

As a loyal American, I think first of driving. Google Maps tells me that the distance from my home in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Wichita is 769 miles. The route runs through San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Oklahoma City. It’s all well-maintained Interstate, with no stops. Google says that the trip will take 11 hours and 44 minutes. That’s an average of 65 miles per hour, which couldn’t leave much time for lunch.

On a good day my 1995 Buick LeSabre gets 26 miles per gallon, which means that I’ll consume 60 gallons of gas, amounting to $240 at $4 per gallon.

I suspect, though, that by mid-July $240 will be the lowball figure; the price of gas is likely to increase. Driving entails other costs, such as oil, tires, registration, depreciation, and insurance. In fact, the Internal Revenue Service allows employers to calculate a reimbursement rate of 48.5 cents per mile as a business expense for their employees who use their own cars. At this rate, the trip would cost $746.

So, for a round-trip by car: 1,538 miles in 23 hrs and 28 minutes and somewhere between $240 for gas and $746, if some of the other costs are considered. I would also have to perform the labor of driving for almost 24 hours.

I could fly. Both Corpus Christi and Wichita have regional jet service. With a layover in Dallas, I could be in Wichita in 4 hours and 34 minutes; the return flight takes only 3 hours and 30 minutes. But our airport is at least 20 minutes out in the country, and these days airlines want you there really early

Round-trip: 1,538 miles; 8 hours and 4 minutes, plus travel time to and from the airport and early arrival for security. The cost is $547, plus parking and gas.

Most middle-class Americans never think of taking the bus. But I could catch the 8 p.m. bus, change buses a little after midnight in Houston, change again at 5 a.m. in Dallas, and be in Wichita at 1:35 p.m., after 17 hours and 35 minutes. I’ve made this trip before, and it’s not hard to see why it’s not most Americans’ first choice. But at least someone else has to do the driving.

Round-trip: 1,538 miles; 35 hours and 10 minutes at a cost of $258.

By train

Finally, there’s the train. In most of our country trains are for excursions rather than for serious transportation. Nevertheless, I could get up early and drive 140 miles to San Antonio and catch the “Texas Eagle” at 7 a.m. But the only way to get to Kansas from Texas by train is through Chicago (!), where I would arrive in 31 hours and 14 minutes. After a short layover in Union Station, I would catch the “Southwest Chief” at 3:15 p.m. Another 12 hours and 10 minutes later, I would be getting close to my destination. The problem is that Amtrak doesn’t actually stop in Wichita. I’d have to talk a friend into picking me up in Newton, Kansas, 45 miles away, at 3:25 a.m.

Round trip: 3,574 miles; 97 hours and 48 minutes, costing $510, plus parking and gas.

None of these options appeals to me. What would I like?

Dream with me for a moment: I’d like to catch the 8:32 a.m. out of Corpus Christi, a comfortable, fast electricity-driven train. At 140 mph and with one stop, it would be in San Antonio in a little over an hour. On the way I drink coffee and finish the newspaper.

Changing trains in San Antonio, I head north in a spacious coach -- no need to check baggage. The ride is smooth and the seat is comfortable and has Internet access and movies-on-demand. I can read or take a nap. I can walk to the dining car for lunch. The train stops briefly in Austin, Waco, Dallas, and Oklahoma City, but with a speed of 170 mph, it pulls into downtown Wichita at 2:21 p.m.

Round-trip: 1,538 miles. Time: 12 hours and 22 minutes. Cost: Priceless.

X John M. Crisp teaches in the English Department at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.