Jeff-
10' is not too long at all. I love 9'6" - 10' rods for fishing the beaches as the extra length aides in keeping your backcast off and out of the rocks on some of those nasty up-sloping beaches we fish around here.

My preference for lesser expensive 4 piece rods in the category you are looking at would be the Scott A2 10' for a #6 or 10' for a #7 or 9'6" for a #8. You can also go with the new #8 9'6" DS2 4-piece which is a little rocket. These rods will run you in the middle $200's and are a better casting, better built rod then the St. Croix Avid. I brought up #6's and #'7 because I believe a #8 is overkill for the vast majority of the beach fishing to be found in our area.

btw-Go 4 piece if you can if you in fact do want a travel rod.