Thoughts on Hotel/Driving distance to range for "Big Match"

[skiutah02]

Thinking ahead about my first chance to go to AZ for the Nationals in 2015, Berger Nationals in Feb 2016 and/or Lodi in Sept/Oct 2016.

I understand onsite/closer is better, but sometimes "money talks"

In your opinion, if you could find a "good deal" for weeklong-accommodations near the above matches, how far away would you be willing to drive (one way) back and forth at the beginning of and end of each day.

For example: "I would never consider sleeping more than 30 minutes away from the match", etc.

I am asking 1) curiosity / to see everybody's thoughts and 2) if I were not to attend what might be the outer limits of distance that someone else would be interested in "buying me out".

If you are wondering my personal "outer limit" is I've left the day before a match driving 9+ hours, arriving about 9 hours prior to firing...so my outer limits are unusual. More common for me is to drive 2-5 hours the morning of a match.

In case you are curious, if I were to reserve my accommodations they would be non-refundable. Thus part of my query.

Drew

 

[ShootDots]

Personally, I would not want to drive past 1 hour to a match, ANY match. When we go to Palo Alto from Houston, we drive there the day before and stay about 15 minutes from the range. When you travel and spend $$$ to play, play to win! Driving well in excess of an hour to a B-I-G match will work against you. You will be tired by match 3! Proper rest and relaxation at the end of the day, is HUGE in my opinion for day 2 or 3.. If you are exhausted, your performance will suffer. Get to a match you have to travel to a day in advance of a match, get good rest, drive maybe 15 mins or so to the range and you have a better chance of doing YOUR best..

 

[Ringostar]

There are several motels within 10 miles of Lodi range, plus a couple resorts with cabins on the lake within minutes of the range. When shooting in Phoenix, several of us stay at La Quinta about 13 miles away. I also have found an extended stay that's reasonably priced, and a little closer to the range.

 

[boltman13]

Drew, when I am in Phoenix for the Berger Nationals I stay in Peoria or Surprise near Loop101. I am always on the road by 0630. Usually takes about 30 minutes to get to Ben Avery, less on the weekends. Going back if you hit the evening rush it will take longer up to 1 hour. I like to get to the range early for a big match so I can get it all together and not be rushed. The last thing you want is to be rushed in getting ready due to traffic delays. Hope this helps.

 

[skiutah02]

FYI

In Phoenix, I'd be 40 min out and Lodi 36 min out. Thoughts?

Drew

 

[rminut]

There is no reason to be 40 minutes out from Ben Avery, there are plenty of places to stay closer than that. Anthem or just south of the range. It used to be common for the match directors to get rooms reserved at a discount but I haven't seen anybody doing that recently?

 

[mattt]

I camped at ben avery for last years Nationals.It was nice waking up and being 200 yards from the sign in table.They have nice bathrooms and showers also and I think it was 50 bucks for 7 nights.

 

[snowpro440]

Plenty of motels on Bell road and north to Ben Avery to choose from . Google , Motel 6,Expedia and Travelocity make it easy.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Driving home and back each day my limit is 3 hours. I drive the day before for practice then the usual two days of the match. Leaving at 4am each morning and home by 6-7 in the evening.
Any further and I reserve a hotel and would travel to matches about 6-7 hours away.

IMO if I can't get there and shoot in the conditions of that range at least one day before to test morning mid day and afternoon. I wouldn't go

 

[ARIZONA_F_CLASS]

I go through this every time there is a match at Ben Avery. I live about an hour a away. It get's old after two days. 1 Hour there, 1.5 back in traffic. But I live in the best state for shooting sports, so I just deal with it. But for 10 days of shooting. I think I might be camping out.

 

[Jdne5b]

40 minute drive to the range might be pushing it for me. How much are you saving over staying closer to the range?

 

[ARIZONA_F_CLASS]

40 minute drive to the range might be pushing it for me. How much are you saving over staying closer to the range?

Nothing, 20 to 25 bucks a day in gas. But I have 2 fur babies at home. That would not like me being gone for days at a time.

 

[Jdne5b]

40 minute drive to the range might be pushing it for me. How much are you saving over staying closer to the range?

Nothing, 20 to 25 bucks a day in gas. But I have 2 fur babies at home. That would not like me being gone for days at a time.

Sorry.. That was mainly directed to skiutah02. I should have quoted.