The speed limit on this road starts out at 55 mph and then decreases to 45 mph during the stretch I ride on. Other than at 1 traffic light, there are no cross streets in this stretch. Cars are typically going 50 - 60 mph and are pretty often side by side in both lanes.

IMHO, to take the lane on this road would be a bad idea. Normally, I do take the lane. I've also done some experiments of my own and have concluded that in most situations, taking the lane is the thing to do. I do feel there is enough room for me + two cars, as long as I'm seen with enough advance. Of all the times I've made this stretch during daylight, there has never been a close call and I've been passed by plenty side-by-side cars (even a F350 pulling a trailer side by side another truck). That one time in the dark, I was buzzed by many. There may have also been more traffic as I was on the road earlier than I normally was.

For any interested, this is on Hwy 78 going from Wylie to Sachse.

I have thought it out and have come to a couple of other alternatives:
1) Get off my bike and walk in the grass. I actually did ride in the grass once, but found it too hard to keep my 1" tires from getting eaten by the cracks in the ground (from no rain).
2) I can cross the street, ride through a neighborhood, walk 1/4 mi, cross back into the neighborhood I normally get off the road into

I think I may give #2 a try. I guess a 3'rd option would be to just get up real early and go to work at 5am. My work hours are flexible where this could happen, but oten when I go to work early, I end up getting stuck there until 5 anyway. I also have a hard time getting up real early and usually help getting the kids ready in the morning.

MMACH 5, that is quite a ballsy (and far) commute, do you take Jupiter or Hwy 5, or have some low-traffic route?