I am planning a move from East Tennessee to Seattle. My plan is to move in late March, leave probably about the 23rd or so. The date isn't really set in stone, I just wanna be back by the 31st of March.

Anyway, here is my ultimate dilemma. I can ship my car through a friend that works for a shipping company but that requires a lot of complication once I am there, as well as just getting out there. (I'd fly, but the cheapest trips are from airports 2 hours away in either direction.)

Even if there were no inconvenience, the total cost (including shipping all my stuff) would be around $1,700. I don't want to spend that much, especially having to inconvenience friends and family once I am there.

OR...

I can drive with my boyfriend and then have him fly back (he is moving later). The cost for that is roughly $400 less, maybe more (I have budgeted approximately $500 for any work that is needed on my car. It has no immediate issues other than a squeal at start up, but it doesn't affect the drivability.)

Right now I am leaning heavily toward driving, both for the sheer fun of a cross country drive and the savings. Not to mention that any repairs done to my car would be taken care of when I arrived.

So anyway, I want to take the shortest route, north to I-90 then straight home via I-90. My boyfriend is worried about that route being snowy or having other bad weather in late March.

I would rather not go all the way down to CA via I-40 then up I-5 and the cost difference would tack on another $100 or so at least.

Is there anyone who has done the route before - specifically through Montana and Wyoming - in spring? If it is going to be snowy I think I will have to suck it up and take either 40 or ship it.

Does anyone know another route that would avoid any crazy weather or insane mountain passes? Would I-80 be a better choice?

Any feedback would be appreciated!!!