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2010 Biennal Conference

Travel

Finding Drake University by Car

From the East and North:
At the northeast edge of Des Moines, I-80 and I-35 join and go west around the city while I-235 goes through Des Moines. Take I-235 west for about six miles to the 31st Street exit, which is past the downtown area. You will see a sign that says “Exit 6, Drake University.” Exit I-235 at the 31st Street exit and turn right (north). Travel approximately six blocks on 31st Street to the stoplight at University Avenue. At University Avenue, turn right and go five blocks to 25th St, and turn left (north). After one block, at the corner of 25th St. and Carpenter Ave., you will see the Fine Arts Center (NW corner, #27) and, across the street from it on 25th St., the FAC parking lot. Those of you staying at Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall (#26) may find it more convenient to use the lots on 30th or 31st St. adjacent to G-K.

From the West and South: At the southwest edge of Des Moines, I-80 and I-35 join and go east around the city while I-235 goes through Des Moines. Take I-235 east to the 31st Street exit in Des Moines. Be sure you have passed the 63rd Street exit. Exit at 31st Street and turn left (north). Travel approximately six blocks on 31st Street to the stoplight at University Avenue. At University Avenue, turn right and go five blocks to 25th St, and turn left (north). After one block, at the corner of 25th St. and Carpenter Ave., you will see the Fine Arts Center (NW corner, #27) and, across the street from it on 25th St., the FAC parking lot. Those of you staying at Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall (#26) may find it more convenient to use the lots on 30th or 31st St. adjacent to G-K.

From the airport: If you are renting a car, get onto Fleur Dr., which is the main north-south street running past the airport. (Those of you staying at the Hampton Inn will see it approximately half a mile north of the airport.) If driving to Drake, stay on Fleur Dr going north; it will turn into Martin Luther King Dr. (NOTE: Do not follow the signs indicating an exit for MLK Drive—continue driving straight north.) From MLK Drive, turn left onto Cottage Grove Ave., which is at the last stoplight before I-235. From Cottage Grove, turn right at the first stop sign onto 25th St .Take 25th St. one block to Carpenter; you will see the Fine Arts Center (NW corner, #27) and, across the street from it on 25th St., the FAC parking lot. Those of you staying at Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall (#26) may find it more convenient to use the lots on 30th or 31st St. adjacent to G-K.

By Air

The Des Moines International Airport is served by many national and regional airlines, and is about five miles south of Drake (about a 10-15 minute drive). If you are planning on renting a car anyway, and are looking for slightly cheaper fares, you may want to consider larger airports in the region, such as those in Omaha (2 hours away), Kansas City (3 hours), Minneapolis-St. Paul (4 hours), or Chicago (5-6 hours).

If you wish to rent a car, the Des Moines International Airport is served by Alamo (515-256-5353), Avis (515-256-5623), Budget (515-287-2612), Enterprise (515-256-5665), Hertz (515-285-9650), and National (515-256-5353). Taxis are also available at the airport to get to Drake.

By Bus

Des Moines is served by Greyhound Bus Lines. The bus station (1107 Keosaqua Way) is approximately a five-minute drive from Drake; for more information on cab service from the station, ticket reservations, and other questions, please call 515-243-1773 or go to www.greyhound.com.

Additionally, for those of you who can get a cheap flight to Chicago, you can also take Megabus from Union Station in downtown Chicago to Des Moines for $1 if you buy online in advance. (That’s not a typo: one American dollar.) The buses are double-deckers with free wi-fi. The bus arrives in downtown Des Moines, and you can easily get a cab or arrange transport to Drake or to your hotel from there. For more information on this deal, please go to http://us.megabus.com.

By Train

Amtrak does not serve Des Moines, but the California Zephyr line does have a station in Osceola, which is about half an hour’s drive south of Des Moines. The route runs from San Francisco/Oakland to Chicago; for a full list of stations of call along the route, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Zephyr. No car rental services are available at the station, which is unserviced. If you are planning on taking the train, you will either need to take the bus from Osceola to Des Moines (Greyhound runs a service), or contact the local arrangements committee chair, Eric Saylor (eric.saylor@drake.edu) ahead of time in order to schedule a pickup