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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

 

Five days is lots of driving, even IF you get good weather....which I would not count on. If you do the drive, better get good tires on it. You could hit snow, and it could sneak up and hit you hard. Honestly, I would do the south route then up 95. Some places may require snow-chains to go or down the mountain passes.

 

The only problem I see is if day 3-5 you get caught in a nasty storm. Snow tires are great but driving 8-9 hours a day in the snow in these cars would be a hella challenge. One thing is driving home in the snow another is pounding out 500 miles in it. I am going to have to go with DC and say you should take a more southern route then up 95 corridor so in case you hit really bad weather it would be day 5 and usually 95 is fairly well taken care of.

 

Just do it. My road fuel is Red Bull and Chex Mix. Of course by 8 hours I'm all strung out so maybe don't follow my advice.

 

WY this time of the year you have to make sure they do not close the roads and leave you stranded in a Motel. This happens quite often so again I would plan on this and be on the lock out.

good luck with this trip

 

I moved from NC to CA via the southern route and am loathe to drive I40 again if I can help it. If it ends up being the prudent option we'll take it, but would prefer to do the I80/I90 route if possible.

We're keeping a close eye on the weather until the day of the trip and will make the call on the 19th if things look too sketchy. We have families to get home to (and that deadline) after all.

 

5 days can be a ball, weather cooperating.
Been across the country MA to LA twice in the 997S.
Always in the summer though.
Spent 4 days from Henderson, NV to NJ when my son and I picked up
His 2012 S4 and had to get back fairly quickly, for his work, several years ago. Great bonding trip.
Never traveled this time of year, especially on summer tires.

 

A few of us drove home from RRV a couple of months ago, using a slightly more southern route to Knoxville, TN where we splitup with me coming home to VA.

Your daily mileage looks doable, but you will be tired of being in the car well before getting home.

I-40, as you said, is boring and longer but safer weatherwise. And more places to get 997 specific parts if you get into trouble. So plot in advance dealers and independent shops along with motels.

You're doing this right. Enjoy!!!!

 

Looks like a nice Christmas trip. Just make sure you order a bigger turkey for when you come back! Enjoy the ride.

 

Lessons from my 5500 mile road trip:
1) Don't drink coffee in the morning (or at lunch). Otherwise pit stops will be more frequent.
2) cruise control is your friend
3) a radar detector is an even better friend
Enjoy the trip and be sure to wave to kids in any school bus you pass by.

 

Sounds like a great trip! You'll love it! You should be fine since you'll be riding on proper winter tires. Take some extra windshield washer fluid!

 

That's what wife and I do, decide at last minute based on weather. Extended forecast models are predicting relatively warm winter up north. With advanced weather forecasting, you should have a good idea of conditions ahead of schedule, and can then take northern or southern route. Just load every travel and weather and hotel chain app on your phone, pack warm blankets (in case of emergency), have non perishable groceries/water in car. Weather radio is a good thing too. These things saved our butts in last year's west Texas ice storm. Most importantly, enjoy the experience! It'll be epic...T

 

Wait till Summer.

 

The daily miles aren't bad at all. I've done 500+ mile days with two people and luggage in my 79 SC, on much more twisty side roads than yours, no problem. In your car, should be a breeze. I will say though it makes a huge difference if you have utter disdain and contempt (which is not to say disrespect- you have to be at times cautiously prudent, other times audaciously eager) for highway banditry and drive that way, versus being worried and thinking you're Speed Racer any time you exceed 10 over or pass the car you've been behind the last half hour. Drive one way, you can enjoy leisurely meals, photogenic vistas, washing your car at the end of the day- and still cover 600 miles.

Drive the other way and…. and…. and well the only thing worse I can think of is driving like that in snow. (Driving the first way in snow is fricken awesome!) (But still takes longer.)

Head south, my friend. Head south.

 

Sounds like a great time. Have fun and be safe.