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I also recommend the Waze app if you're not already using it. It will help give you advanced warnings if weather or accidents affect your route, especially if you intend on driving north.
WAZE is definitely a must!!
Be careful on CO, a cop followed me for 13 miles, I didn't speed, he pulled me over for weaving, exceeding a white line, briefly, no ticket.
I believe he wanted to get me for speeding, and couldn't.
Maybe he just wanted to see the car
I also advise a ProClip mount with power cradle. Your phone stays where you can see it for Waze, and stays charged the entire trip. I started with the lower mounting bracket but the phone was in the way of my wife's legs and it was a long way to look down. I changed to the upper vent mount. I added an AUX cable so the announcements are on the car speakers. Pandora supplies my music.
Whatever you do, have a great trip. I'm a bit envious. One of these days I'll get mine into the snow. I miss that driving opportunity, living in the SF Bay Area.
So, I've pulled the trigger on a 2006 C2S out in CA and rather than shipping the vehicle, I've opted for the road trip option. The plan is to do the road trip with my dad, which has significance for two reasons:
My father and I road-tripped my first car (a 1981 VW Rabbit diesel with 180K miles given to me by my grandparents) from CT to NC when I was 17.
My father previously owned a '68 silver 912, so the 997 (silver as well) is a bit of an homage to a car he regrets selling many years ago.
My father did an out and back trip from VA to CO in college and vowed he'd never drive through NE again...well, joke's on him!
The trip is scheduled to start mid-day on Dec 19th after a quick lunch with friends in Oakland. We're factoring in 5 days for the trip, because neither of us want to be too long in the saddle on any one day, and it gives some time to see things along the way (details noted below). I'm fairly familiar with long road trips and feel adequately prepared (the car will have new fluids, pads, and snow tires), but welcome any specific prep recommendations for the trip.
More importantly, however, I'm curious to know what y'all think of our road trip plans and if you might recommend better layover cities or things that we should consider doing/seeing along the way. We're both car geeks and my dad always wished he were a cowboy, so I'll be lucky to get him to leave WY. Here is the itinerary we've outlined:
997 Iron Butt 2015
Day 1 - Oakland, CA to Elko, NV: 510 miles, 7 h 35 min
Day 2 - Elko, NV to Laramie, WY: 618 miles, 8 h 51 min (with stop by Bonneville Salt flats, at sunrise, if possible)
Day 3 - Laramie, WY to Des Moines, IA: 677 miles, 9 h 41 min
Day 4 - Des Moines, IA to Erie, PA: 764 miles, 11 h 28 min
Day 5 - Erie, PA to Boston, MA: 544 miles, 8 h 17 min
We have to be back BY the 24th for family Christmas Eve (right now we should be in on the the 23rd, baring any breakdowns/issues), but would love to hear y'alls feedback, and I can't wait to share stories/pictures from the road!
-jg
If you need a place to stay in Des Moines, please let me know (GM of the Embassy Suites; I might get you a deal...)
So, funny. I'm doing the oppisite of you 12/11 to 12/15. Picking up a 997.2 C2S in Grand Rapids Mich to the Bay Area. Going the southern route. Taking my middle son who's 23. Road Trip!!
I gotta figure out how to post from the road.....can't friggen wait, my first P-car for my 50th. Been waiting just about 40 years, btw, thats too long to wait, but i'm a slow learner....mike
So, funny. I'm doing the oppisite of you 12/11 to 12/15. Picking up a 997.2 C2S in Grand Rapids Mich to the Bay Area. Going the southern route. Taking my middle son who's 23. Road Trip!!
I gotta figure out how to post from the road.....can't friggen wait, my first P-car for my 50th. Been waiting just about 40 years, btw, thats too long to wait, but i'm a slow learner....mike
Download Garage Talk. Not perfect, but an easy app for your smart phone.
Congrats on the new car and have a great trip! Post lots of pictures.
Unless the roads are cleared, looks like we'll be taking the southern route. Regardless, the car still does look purposeful on the small-ish winter wheels/tires. Flying out on Friday to pick up; can't wait!
After changing my rear tires last week...the lug wrench is a joke. Nevermind, you dont have a spare, I just remembered that.
I would take some spare fuses and a big roll of blue painters tape. Tape up the front bumper, lower hood and rear flares. Make some mixed CD's like the early days....cuz there aint no ipod dock or sat radio.
My wife and I drive from Philly to Miami every year (sometimes twice) to visit family. We take our three large dogs so flying is not an option in the winter. This trip has sometimes been done in a straight shot and sometimes with an overnight stop.
Perhaps we are nerds, but one thing that we love doing is either listening to audio books or she will read to me. We pick out a good book and hit the road. Following the story keeps me awake and my mind engaged. Music tends to put me in a trance and lulls me to sleep.
Either way, good luck on that trip! Post pictures of your progress.
Well, i made it back from Michigan, to the Bay Area, wasn't in the cards for us for smooth travels, 40 sucked. See my road report under "finally"...but NO regrets on the purchase, i still cant stop thinking about it...the car that is...
12-03-2015 | 11:13 AM
