I agree with the drive suggestion, and microchipping is a must. I did a longish journey (not as long as yours though) with a cat in a normal pet carrier, and didn't sedate her or anthing. The RSPCA book I read said 'cats make good if noisy travellers' and indeed she did. She complained a bit at first, but settled after a while and was OK as long as I didn't sing. That seemed to set her off again, can't imagine why.
