First time on a train, I find myself a bit confused.

[TiAvenger]

I thought trains were supposed to be a cheaper way to travel.  Although I am excited at the prospect of riding a train, I did the math, and it is the most expensive way to go.  The trip is from Visalia CA, to Turlock CA, roughly 130 miles. 
Its about a 2 hour drive and in monstergf's car (which I cant take because of her needing it)
29 mpg
20.17 in fuel cost @ 4.50 a gallon

Train is a 30 min bus ride (ick) and a 2 hour train ride
24.00 one way

or theres this option ...........














3 hours
125 vino
$13.50 @ 4.50 a gallon, scooter maddness 

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/7-7WsmtAL3

[Grampa]

scooter

[lucazuma]

vino

[junior varsity]

scooter+vino. nothing wrong with a little wine with your scoot.

(only kidding, don't get mad)

[Mother]

most of the time

trains are used to go farther than 130 miles

[Gearhead_42]

most of the time

trains are used to go farther than 130 miles

Seriously.  That's less than two days commute.

Make her take vino, usurp the car. 

[Mother]

Seriously.  That's less than two days commute.

Make her take vino, usurp the car. 

?

that is less than a half day commute

that is like a 3 hour commute

[TiAvenger]

Seriously.  That's less than two days commute.

Make her take vino, usurp the car. 

she lacks the proper license/ experience

[Gearhead_42]

?

that is less than a half day commute

that is like a 3 hour commute

Man, I thought 75 miles a day was bad... seriously?  Mine is rural highway, so no traffic either...

[Kyna]

I looked into taking a train home for X-mas this year.  (Wisconsin to California) It will take over three days and cost about the same amount of money. Three days on a train seems a bit much for a first trip.  I hate flying so I've looked into it before and I've never found a train to actually be cheaper.  I haven't calculated out how much driving will cost, I figure by then gas will be even more expensive.

[eviltwin]

If you were a stuntman you'd take the vino down 99 the whole way

[roy-nexus-6]

 

[LYD]

130 miles, pssst no sweat  1.5 hours.  Haul @$$.  Ipod, or sirius radio.  If the weather is nice ride!! 

[somegirl]

The US doesn't really have the right infrastructure for trains to be a practical option most of the time.  Now in Europe or Japan it would be different.

[KnightofNi]

i've found the train to be cheap for trips within about 30 miles. most of the time it would take longer to take the train, but that's the trade off.

when going to NYC (around 120 mi) i have taken the train, bus, and driven/ridden. the bus (ghettohound) was the cheapest by far at $35 round trip. driving and amtrak were about the same after you figured in parking. all of those took around the same amt of time. if i had taken NJ transit it would have been around $40 round trip, but it would take at least 3 hrs longer with 3 transfers.