Help A Huddler Out!

[sunbunny]

Flying from Raleigh to Charlotte is friggin outrageous. It's not that long a drive. I can make it from my driveway to Concord Mills in about 2 1/2 hours (give or take a few minutes), and I live in Wilson County.

How are you getting from Wake Forest to Charlotte? I'm confused.

Also, about flights, it's cheaper to fly out of Charlotte than RDU. To go pretty much anywhere. I have no idea why.

[Chaos]

Here's a thought - they've been advertising recently that they are increasing the frequency and the speed of an Amtrak route from Raleigh to Charlotte (to and from). Maybe you could ride the train to CLT on Sunday morning, catch a cab uptown.

I can tell you that the Residence Inn by Marriott is right beside the stadium, just a few minutes from the Huddle tailgate lot. I stayed there with a bunch of friends the weekend we played Arizona in the 2008 regular season. The hotel is in the shadow of the stadium. Best thing though would be to get there Saturday night. You want to hit the nightlife and then be right in the middle of town when you wake up Sunday, ready to go!

[panthers55]

I can make the trip from Shelby ( an hour west of Charlotte) to Greenville, NC (an hour and a half east of Raleigh) in 4 1/2 hours (5 if I have to stop to eat, get gas, pee or whatever). Seriously those that think it ever takes 4 hours to get from Charlotte to Raleigh without an accident backing things up must drive like a old granny. If you catch 540 west from Wake Forest and get it going on 85 South, you should have no problem. It is mostly 65 or 70 with only a few bottle necks along the way.

The train is a fun option but it makes lots of stops, and you have to take a cab to the car rental place, etc. Somewhat of a hassle.

[Montsta]

Sorry for the confusion. I'll try to be more clear. I'm going to fly out of either San Francisco or Oakland into Raleigh-Durham on Friday, as my brother says that airport isn't far from Wake Forest (where he lives). We'll be crashing at his place Friday and Saturday night, and then Sunday morning he's gonna give us a ride to the nearest car rental agency. We'll then drive to Charlotte for the game and tailgate, and then go out to some restaurant (any 4-stars?) for dinner and drinks. We'll stay at some hotel nearest to there, and then take a shuttle or a cab to Charlotte airport Monday afternoon and fly home. I saw some decent package prices on orbitz for $317/person. That's a pretty damn good deal. That get's me at around $650 plus the cost of the rental car. I'll also end up buying every peice of retarded, useless Panthers memorabilia I see, simply because all I ever see is Raiders and 49ers crap here at home. I really want seats on the visitor sidelines close enough to the field that I can politely heckle Mr. Peppers during the game. No profanities or being obnoxious, just a good natured ribbing here and there.

I will be the guy with a huge smile wearing an alternate Beason jersey taking pictures like a tourist. I'll be with a beautiful blond, who will more than likely be wearing a pink women's Smitty jersey.

I'm straight from Northern Cali, so take easy on me when I say "hella" 3 times every sentence.

[5158Poundin]

Wake Forest to Charlotte is about 160ish miles, roughly 3 hours if you drive the speed limit. Speed traps in Greensboro and Salisbury off I-85. If you're less than 10 over, not usually a problem unless you're aggressive. I used to make that trip when I lived in Greenville. It's a pretty smooth bypass around Greensboro NOW and that used to be a headache since traffic was always problematic there. Plan for 3 hours driving and it make take you less or more. It gets hectic on I85 about 30 miles north of Charlotte.

I stayed at a couple of hotels in the vicinity of the stadium and the Huddle tailgate...very convenient and plenty of nightlife in walking distance. If you can fly Southwest from RDU - that is usually one of the cheapest airlines to fly in and out of NC. Charlotte's airport is somewhat reasonable but it depends largely on the airline you go with and prefer. It's not worth flying from RDU to Charlotte, driving is my recommendation. The other thing about Southwest, 3 bags for free and 50lb limit in case you're worried about how much Panther gear you outfit yourself with. The other airlines charge $25-35 per bag...you should figure that into your costs on top of the airfare!

[o803oVaDeR]

So, just curious, what makes you a Panthers fan? You originally from the Carolinas or something? The game starts at 1, so you need to leave early if you want to have time to tailgate with the guys. I would try to get there by 1130 at least. I have only been a few times, but it was a great time.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Guys from work have turned the Cary/RTP drive to Kannapolis into a 1:45 minute trip.

[Panthro]

I used to get from Gormon (ext 295) to 77/85 in 2 hours. I knew where I could go 90+ and where to go 55.

ONE UPPED!

[Scrumtrilescent]

We just rent the company jet and fly from Concord Regional to RTP.

ONE-UPPED UPPED!

[Chaos]

Montsta, when you heckle Pep, be sure not to stand up or use obscenities when you do it, or you'll find yourself tossed from the stadium and an otherwise great trip ruined.

[sunbunny]

Have you checked to make sure rental agencies are open on Sunday? Most of them are closed, unless you pick up at RDU.

The couple that are open don't open until around 9 am. You'll be pushing it to make the game. You'd be better off picking up on Saturday morning.

[Cyberjag]

Call the hotels downtown, most of them have an airport shuttle. That's a much better option than a rent-a-car, IMO.

[sunbunny]

Amtrak has a train leaving Raleigh on Sundays at 6:50 am arriving in Charlotte at 10 am. That's not too bad at all. $50 for two adults.

[panthers55]

Amtrak has a train leaving Raleigh on Sundays at 6:50 am arriving in Charlotte at 10 am. That's not too bad at all. $50 for two adults.

Thats pretty good time given they make several stops along the way. Do they let you drink alcohol on Sunday morning on the train or is it prohibited before noon?