Trip Advisory 2004 Merlot

[Blkhwk]

I bought a 2004 Merlot (one wasn't enough).
It's in Louisville Kentucky and I'm in NorthWest Washington.

In talking to the shipper, he said there are many cars headed this way and the prices for shipping will be less in March and April, by $200-$300.

It's also $200 less if I go 70 miles South to pick it up near Seattle (Lynnwood).

Given all those complications and expense ($1200), I'm thinking of flying there and driving it back.

If I do that, the window that works best is within the next couple of weeks.

My wife is concerned that I'll hit bad weather and that it will be "unsafe" and "hard" on the car, so I'm looking for some insight from members that live and travel the states I'll be passing through.

I suppose I could make a longer trip and go the southern route and come up I-5 on the west coast?

I will appreciate any input.

[PITTBIRDS]

Re: Trip Advisory 2004 Merlot

This is a great time of the year to visit Phoenix and San Diego.

[SugarDaddy]

Re: Trip Advisory 2004 Merlot

If you decide to fly and drive at this time of year, you will probably want drop down from Louisville to I-40 Westbound. Head west on I-40 to Barstow CA, then up to Bakersfield on SR58, then north on SR99 to Manteca. Then, take SR 120 (20 minutes) over to I-5, and you can stay on I-5 the rest of the way.

You may hit winter weather even taking this route in the next few weeks.

Good luck on your journey!

[5bird7]

Re: Trip Advisory 2004 Merlot

We watched the weather daily when we took a similar route that SugarDaddy laid out. Timed it between storms. The places to watch for, are from Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, and then again I5 around Mt Shasta and into Oregon.

[seagull]

Re: Trip Advisory 2004 Merlot

I did a similar trip but reversed a couple years ago with a 66 Bonneville. As mentioned above watch the weather forecasts and plan the drive around it, the storms and weather change and escalate quickly. I ran into some weather but faired ok other than a massive cleanup once home. If the Bird has good tires you should be fine as long as you don't ignore weather warnings and drive during the heavy stuff.

I still remember in Idaho were it was snowing heavily with about 6 inches of fresh snow I was decending a large twisty pass with a tractor trailer all but in my backseat the entire way down the hill. He obviously had far more confidence in his ability to stop if needed than I did . I rarely get nervous when driving but I am sure my knuckles were white when I got to the bottom. Just use common sense and you will be fine.