Bus or bust

Yes, "Everything's bigger in Texas." I get it. The sheer size of this state is daunting to a bleary-eyed driver. We may long for cheap, fast commuter rail linking Texas metros, but don't expect it soon with our cut-to-the-bone approach to state spending.

To wander Texas on the cheap this summer, ditch driving, fuck Jet Set, and hit the buses. Once the bastard child of intercity travel, buses saw a resurgence throughout the East Coast and Midwest when Megabus.com came on the scene in 2006. Catering to young but cash-strapped professionals, Megabuses were sparkling clean and offered wi-fi, cushier seats, and AC plug-ins. And they were dirt cheap, with fares starting at $1 (closer to $20 or so for roundtrips booked late).

The trend's now spread to Texas, with Megabus this week starting routes that link San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston – from Houston, you can hop another bus to go see New Orleans. Teaming up with Kerrvile Bus Co., Megabuses will also take riders from San Antonio out to Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and Uvalde.

Broke, but need a day away? Book early, and pocket change could send you out across the Lone Star State.

Megabus.com plans to offer 17 daily San Antonio departures leaving a downtown lot at Broadway and 4th Street.