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

I drove to Houston Stadium for the World Cup, where FIFA-controlled parking came with a steep price tag.

Stunning cost: Parking for the Germany-Curaçao match on Sunday was $150. Stadium parking for each of Houston's World Cup matches costs at least $99.

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.