Epic road trip - bought a '97 C4S and drove it home to Alaska
09-08-2008 | 12:19 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
Epic road trip - bought a '97 C4S and drove it home to Alaska
This is my first post so I'll try to make it interesting. I've been lurking on the boards here for quite awhile reading from the archives, and after about 6 months of looking I finally bought a 993 - a black '97 C4S with 85k miles. The car was referenced on the boards here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=62083
There was only one problem, I live in Alaska, and the car was in Denver. Since shipping costs to the great north are pretty high at the moment, I decided on the epic road trip alternative. It also helped that I've driven from the lower 48 to Alaska in a 944 turbo about 10 years back, so I knew it was doable.
3700 miles later the car is sitting at my house and I have new respect for the 993. The car performed great the entire way, just gas and 1 quart of oil. Gas mileage topped out at 26-27mpg on a few tanks when we hardly stopped.
As for the route, I can vouch for some nice driving roads along the way:
* from Cody, WY, take 296 north to 212, then over the pass of 11,000 ft. to Red Lodge - this road was awesome
* going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park - slow driving but nice
* route 40 from Longview to Canmore in Canada
* route 93 through Banff and Jasper National Parks
* route 37 (Cassiar Highway) north to Watson Lake, BC - first 200 miles was incredible, fresh pavement, no traffic, next 200 miles not so good, gravel, potholes, slow going
Did not see a single cop between Banff and Anchorage, Alaska
I will try to attach some pictures.
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=62083
There was only one problem, I live in Alaska, and the car was in Denver. Since shipping costs to the great north are pretty high at the moment, I decided on the epic road trip alternative. It also helped that I've driven from the lower 48 to Alaska in a 944 turbo about 10 years back, so I knew it was doable.
3700 miles later the car is sitting at my house and I have new respect for the 993. The car performed great the entire way, just gas and 1 quart of oil. Gas mileage topped out at 26-27mpg on a few tanks when we hardly stopped.
As for the route, I can vouch for some nice driving roads along the way:
* from Cody, WY, take 296 north to 212, then over the pass of 11,000 ft. to Red Lodge - this road was awesome
* going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park - slow driving but nice
* route 40 from Longview to Canmore in Canada
* route 93 through Banff and Jasper National Parks
* route 37 (Cassiar Highway) north to Watson Lake, BC - first 200 miles was incredible, fresh pavement, no traffic, next 200 miles not so good, gravel, potholes, slow going
Did not see a single cop between Banff and Anchorage, Alaska
I will try to attach some pictures.
09-08-2008 | 12:42 AM
#6
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Wow, what a trip. I like the tent in one of the photo's, did you plan that. I hope it wasn't close to the bear photos.
I have been thinking of a road trip. It seems like the 993 would be a great car to get out and see the country. I just need to convert my track suspension to a touring suspension and real tires.
As I write this I am thinking of driving to Colorado for my annual hunting trip with my father instead of flying...I have vacation days to burn.
Thanks for the inspiration.
I have been thinking of a road trip. It seems like the 993 would be a great car to get out and see the country. I just need to convert my track suspension to a touring suspension and real tires.
As I write this I am thinking of driving to Colorado for my annual hunting trip with my father instead of flying...I have vacation days to burn.
Thanks for the inspiration.
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09-08-2008 | 01:29 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 297
Likes: 159
From: Vancouver,BC
Holy smokes.. that is really quite a drive. But I do have a question, is it feasible to drive the C4S during winter times in Alaska? I was talking to my wife and suggested doing a road trip to the great north in the winter season but she did not like the idea of getting stuck in snowy winter.
09-08-2008 | 02:07 AM
#13
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 573
Likes: 23
From: Deep South
My God ! What an epic maiden voyage !!!
I really didn't grasp the distance until I saw your earth map. Makes my 993 purchase trip from North Alabama (in a rental
) to S Carolina and back to North Alabama (in my 993
) in the same day PALE in comparison !!! (Well,,, except for the parts thru Atlanta where I hit parking lots on the freeway both times 
)
You need to treat her to a wash & wax after she saw you thru that trip !!!
You'll have great memories from that first trip that most of us can only dream about. THANKS for posting the photos and maps !!!
I really didn't grasp the distance until I saw your earth map. Makes my 993 purchase trip from North Alabama (in a rental
) to S Carolina and back to North Alabama (in my 993) in the same day PALE in comparison !!! (Well,,, except for the parts thru Atlanta where I hit parking lots on the freeway both times )You need to treat her to a wash & wax after she saw you thru that trip !!!
You'll have great memories from that first trip that most of us can only dream about. THANKS for posting the photos and maps !!!
09-08-2008 | 02:09 AM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver Island
Great post and pic's.
I once had a friend tell me that the drive from Jasper to Banff, Alberta, was the second prettiest drive he had ever taken. I enquired as to the number one drive, "Banff to Jasper". We have done that portion of your trip on several occasions, winter and summer and we can vouch for the outstanding scenery in that part of the world.
Congratulations on your purchase.
I once had a friend tell me that the drive from Jasper to Banff, Alberta, was the second prettiest drive he had ever taken. I enquired as to the number one drive, "Banff to Jasper". We have done that portion of your trip on several occasions, winter and summer and we can vouch for the outstanding scenery in that part of the world.
Congratulations on your purchase.
