An odd combo, I know, but we're novice movers, so I find all sorts of things to worry about. We're moving in July, 2100 miles from Oklahoma to Washington state, so there will be 3 or 4 motel nights.

We have two cats, 11 and 3, who don't get along and need separate cages - preferably sepaarate vehicles. They've never worn a collar or harness. All the tips I've found have been for an across-town or one-day trip.

We're old, so we have video and cassette tapes. Also a few special candles. I tested a taper candle in a cheap stryo ice chest in the sun and it stayed solid. Should I carry the tapes that way, too? No ice, just insulation from the ambient temperature.

Thanks for your help.

The video tapes can be, now follow closely, put in a medium sized cardboard box, and that box can be wrapped in a comforter or two, then placed inside a larger box, I've never had a tape or LP damaged in transit, and I've moved A LOT.
The kitty cats are a slightly more difficult question...for a cross country trip, you'll want to search in advance for pet-friendly motels along your route so they'll get some "out of the carrier" time, even if they're not used to them, get a pair of harnesses and TAGS with your last name and a phone number on them, if the kitties escape en route, this is your best chance at getting them back and I know this is gross, but if possible, bring their own litter box along, NOT totally clean so it will still be familiar to them even in an unfamiliar place.
Good luck

I would also recommend that if you spend any time out of your hotel room and leave the cats in there, make sure you put up the "do not disturb" sign to keep anyone from opening up the doors. I would also suggest that you keep them in their kitty-carriers when you are out of the room. DO NOT, under any circumstances, let the cats out of their boxes while you are driving...for their safety as well as your own.