Thanks, y'all! Lots more advice. Greatly appreciated.
I've got BeeWeaver bees and want to stay with them for now, so there's no looking around for a local one (eventually I'll raise my own, but not ready for that yet). It's a local-ish queen - only 150 miles away in Navasota. $30 for overnight shipping from there and the round trip to the UPS center (I might get lucky with traffic and not have it take three hours *fingers crossed*) vs. $50+ in gas and 5+ hours if I drive to Navasota, so I'll get it shipped. My truck's a little thing that runs on fairy farts, but I still don't want to do that many hours with no a/c if I don't have to. If this one comes in crispy, I just might drive that far anyway.
Thanks, LazyShooter. I'll be testing my coolers with ice packs and a thermometer this weekend to find the sweet spot (Reminder to self - get a thermometer!). If need be, I'll keep your advice in mind (I need a new cooler anyway...).
Nope, Ace - $60 for queen shipped plus $20 gas and negligible wear and tear (it's a twenty year old Toyota - you can run them into the ground and they still keep going). Only nucs they offer are $225 - pickup in Navasota next week (add $50 for gas) or Dripping Springs in September (add $15 for gas, and no extra bees from my existing hive since they'll be dead by then).
Thanks for the tip, Radar. I'll look into that. BeeWeaver didn't mention that option on their website, just the Customer Center option, so don't know if I'll have time to get an answer and still order in time for delivery next week (they don't answer phones on the weekends, and email-in-a-HURRY is iffy - they're BUSY this time of year). But it'd be good to know for next time. (And you
know there'll be a next time....)
And I read the thread you linked to - seems the general consensus is summed up in this comment from a nuc seller: "Ship nucs........... by commercial services like the post office or UPS? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you say the word "BAKED" " That's probably why BeeWeaver doesn't ship nucs. They do have a drop-off point close, but no dates soon enough for me. (Btw, you had no way of knowing, but I'm a she.

)
Multi-tasking, definitely, Sqkcrk. Sounds like the voice of experience - you live out in the country, too, don't you? I've got a doc appointment that morning, DPS stop planned to get a title I need, meeting up with a guy to sell a car, then on to pick up the queen. And I'll bet I'll squeeze in a few more errands still.
Thershey, now you're making me nervous. You, too, Michael. I'm getting them from BeeWeaver and have seen and heard
much about them being a stand-up business when that happens. I do plan to open the package and check right there at the UPS center, and will let them know later if her laying's not up to snuff.
Thanks again for all the advice, guys. I really appreciate it (even the worrisome kind). THIS is why they say start with two hives! Next year...