[redwitch]

Drive from California with three cats. One was the ultimate fraidy cat (she'd poop before the car was started). One was just a typical kitty -- didn't like cars but found them tolerable. The third thought a car ride was the cat's meow. I did give my fraidy cat a quarter of a tranquilizer the first day. Didn't need one after that. She was fine for the rest of the trip.

There really wasn't room for a crate for the girls, so we let them roam free with halters and leads on them. We did have a litter box on the floor as well as food and water. Both were used and more than once there was a quick stop to clean the box and wait for the smell to dissipate. The only place off limits was under my seat or lap since I was doing all of the driving. We blocked off the back of the seat so no one could crawl under and my daughter was quick to grab whatever cat decided my lap was her spot.

They adapted pretty quickly to their new home and they KNOW the lanai is just for them, although they will deign to share it with me on occasion.

You might want to try some short rides now just to see how your kitty will handle the ride. If prone to motion sickness, get something from the vet to help her out. If she's a little nervous, I'd recommend suffering through the initial howling. It will subside. If she miss truly terrified like my one was, then I think a trank to get her started but only for the initial stage.

Good luck. The trip won't be as harrowing as you think.