Is paying $100-plus for World Cup parking worth it?

My experience: I had the luxury of sitting in my air-conditioned car instead of being packed onto a crowded train, but it was a painfully slow 25 minutes to travel a single mile.

• My estimated arrival time on my map kept climbing as I watched people who parked in nearby lots — some charging $90 to $100 — walk or take a pedicab toward the gates while traffic barely moved.
• My maps app also wasn't aware of the barricades, making it harder to reach my assigned lot.

The intrigue: There were plenty of open spaces. Parking did not appear to sell out. People apparently weren't willing to shell out more money.

The bottom line: If you can afford to spend more than $100, stadium parking is largely convenient — especially when leaving. Just be prepared to pay for it and pack some patience.