POLL: How far will you drive for dinner?

[Robin Garr]

Not too long ago, when gas prices were getting into the upper $3 range, we ran a poll asking whether fuel costs were affecting your dining out.

For this poll, let's ask it another way: Assuming we're talking about a regular evening out, not a special occasion, what's your upper mileage limit these days for a trip out to dinner? Feel free to enter additional comments as replies to the poll.

How far is the Gordita trailer from Crescent Hill?

You know, it's funny, but I was chatting with my Mother just this morning about "streatching the gas dollar" and dining out.

We've been pretty much staying in the St. Matthews, Lyndon, Middletown area for dining.....with a venture to the Highlands on rare occasion, and dining out 2-3 times per week, depending on schedules.....we have not been up to LaGrange, nor "over the muddy waters" in a while.

[Robin Garr]

How far is the Gordita trailer from Crescent Hill?

Google Maps makes it 8.1 miles from my house, so it's probably something like 8.05 from your house. That would be about 0.3 gallon one way in my car, so say maybe $2.50 in gas for the round trip? About the price of one gordita.

This assumes a ride straight out Frankfort to Breckinridge, then straight out Breckinridge to Bardstown. Clearly the most direct, but lots and lots of traffic and lights. They estimate 20 minutes, which I think is optimistic except during low-traffic hours.

For routine eatting out....anywhere within 30 minutes is game....however,

For special occasions we've been known to drive an hour or more. Gas prices are an issue....that's why the Tahoe is in the garage and we bought a Honda Civic.

We live in Simpsonville so anywhere we go is pretty much a drive. Unless it's a special occasion we pretty much stay in the Middletown/St. Matthews corridor. I have eaten my fair share of Mark's Feed Store, which I really like. We really dont' go out as much as we used to. Partly because of the cost of gas, and partly because we have a 1 yr. old and it makes it difficult to go out with him.

We are not as likely to go beyond the city limits for something unless it is special, but most of the time we stay within them.

New Albany Brewing Company is officially 23.92 miles from my home....and I'm driving there as often as I can.

We are not as likely to go beyond the city limits for something unless it is special, but most of the time we stay within them.

I'm assuming you mean the "Urban Services District" (the old city limits) since since we became Metro Louisville everything in Jefferson County is considered within the city limits! Personally I wish the city would go back to being the city and the county being the county but we all know that's never going to happen!

I drove down to Westport a couple weeks ago and will do so again. I do combine trips but my Beetle is quite frugal.

We are not as likely to go beyond the city limits for something unless it is special, but most of the time we stay within them.

I'm assuming you mean the "Urban Services District" (the old city limits) since since we became Metro Louisville everything in Jefferson County is considered within the city limits! Personally I wish the city would go back to being the city and the county being the county but we all know that's never going to happen!

Pretty much. I consider "city limits" to mean the area generally contained by the Gene Snyder Freeway.

If the quality of food is good and service is dependable, I don't think most will think twice about driving out for dinner. My wife and I have simply learned to be more creative about it and combine non-perishable shopping to make it work on more than one level. A little shopping will burn off calories and build an appetite! My massage practice is near Oxmoor and plenty of regular clients drive from Southern Indiana and Shelbyville and no one has complained about the price of gas. The movie industry is up 17% this summer. During tight times, people will always find a way to unwind, whether through dining out or other relaxing activities.

Staying in Chicago suburbs for a time, and we've gone downtown several times for dinner (32 miles one way), to other burbs (20 miles), and staying in area (5-10 miles), so driving in Louisville is no biggie.

About 24 miles one way. To Grantline Road in New Albany from east Louisville/west Oldham. NABC. Sat. afternoons usually. (We took the scenic route recently, surface streets in the ville, 2nd street bridge - took us an hour each way.)

Friday nites, dine somewhere different, then the Tap Room on Main. Maybe one other time during the week. Alot of times, location/setting has as much to do with the meal. Meeting friends, too. We always have a cooler to take leftovers. We enjoy the dining out but trying to save money and lose weight:-) The beer probably doesn't help me:-) Tomorrow is the last trolley hop. We'll eat somewhere along the Frankfort route. We never eat in Oldham Co. except twice to the Irish Rover Too.

With Oishii Sushi and the soon to be Cafe Lou Loop in walking distance, I really have no need to drive more than five miles (Bardstown Rd., Frankfort Ave., & St. Mtt.). Although, I will do it on occasion for La Rosita & NABC. Anything outside the Watterson is outside my comfort zone...pathetic, I know.