We’re Paige and Mason. The Bend Banner is our way of keeping tabs on this wild, beautiful place we call home. To the mornings that start with coffee and mountain air, the trails that somehow always lead to a brewery, and the kind of small-town stories that remind you why you chose to live here in the first place.

$400 Ride to RDM

Let’s talk about the quiet panic that sets in right after you book a flight out of Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM).

Not about TSA. Not about whether you remembered to pack deodorant. About getting there.

You check Uber. $112.
Refresh. $168.
Wait a few minutes. $247.
Your flight’s at 6:05 am, so you roll the dice and check again at 4:30 am.

$412. For a 30-minute ride.

Now here’s the part that stings: the driver isn’t pocketing that $400. When surge pricing hits, a big chunk goes straight to Uber. The driver might see a bump, sure. But not that kind of bump.

It’s the most Bend thing ever. We live 20-30 minutes from the airport. There’s no traffic. No bridges to cross. No tunnels. Just high desert and a straight shot north.

And yet somehow it can cost more than your actual flight to Seattle.

So here’s the local play.

Instead of playing surge roulette, book with a local company ahead of time. The price is the price. No mystery math. No watching the numbers climb while your coffee gets cold.

Three worth knowing:

EnviroShuttle
Locally owned. Flat-rate airport rides. They’ve been doing this for years and actually schedule pickups like it’s 2007 (in a good way). You call. You book. They show up.

Bend Ride Co.
Smaller operation. Also local. Also flat-rate. Great option if you’re trying to plan for an early departure or late-night return when rideshare gets weird.

SK Travels
Locally owned and pre-scheduled. A great option for early departures, late-night returns, and she also offers senior travel companion services for anyone who could use an extra hand getting to and through the airport.

They don’t have an app that gamifies your anxiety. They have always shown up on time for us.

Just people who live here. Driving you to the airport. For a normal amount of money.

Is rideshare convenient? Absolutely.
Will I still open the Uber app sometimes? Of course.
But if you’ve got a 5 a.m. flight and don’t feel like funding a Silicon Valley earnings call, it might be worth booking local.

Some tips and tricks around calling Uber to the airport can be found in this Reddit thread.

Because nothing kills vacation vibes like a $400 ride to Redmond. And if you find another solid airport transport option, send it my way.

This Week’s Conditions
☀️ Sunrise: 6:36 am
🌅 Sunset: 5:59 pm
High Temp: 55.7°F
Mt. Bachelor: 42” base depth
Local Shop of the Week: Bend Roots Mercantile
Local Artist of the Week: Lindsay Gilmore

🐾Bend’s Best Good Boys & Good Girls 🐾

🐶 Luna – 7 years, Chinese Shar-Pei/Saint Bernard
Luna is friendly and affectionate and can’t wait to be a part of a new family. She is housetrained and has previously lived with young kids.

🐱 Jackson – 1 year - Hound/Mix
He’s a very aloof but friendly pup and loves going on walks. Very handsome as well.

🐶 Rooster - 8 years- Retriever/Lab
A shy guy looking for a relaxing lifestyle to spend his Golden Years, Rooster is good with cats but loves the attention of being the only dog in the house.

Community Dept. Dispatch Sweatshirt

The Bend Banner is as local as it gets. Written here, for the people who actually call this place home.

No big media machine, no out-of-town editor guessing what Bend cares about. Just a weekly letter built from real conversations, real places, and real curiosity.

If you choose to support it, every bit helps me bring you more of the good stuff. The stories, the characters, the weird corners of this town that deserve a spotlight.

Appreciate you, friends. Thanks for being part of this.

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