I live about 5 hours away and I drive. You may have to get a hotel room 30 or more miles away from Paducah at this late date. The whole town is the quilt show so no you are not crowded in one area. I park at Hancock's of Paducah and take the shuttle buses (free) everywhere I want to go. Eleanor Burns tent show and Barn, the quilt show, museum, vendors, mall where more quilt vendors set up, book sale building, and all the stores and other exhibit set ups. The town is easy to drive around in, no big traffic problems. If you go for one day you will not be able to see it all, I won't go if I don't have at least three days, not worth the trip for me. Everything is free except for the quilt show admission and museum admission. Eleanor's show is free. Of course the expense comes from what I buy!