Chris,

IMHO ....

"1. What speed is recommended for cruising?"

I'd keep the RPM's down to 3200 - 3400

"3. In a worst case scenario, does anyone know of a good VW shop in the
Chattanooga area? "

I'd do three things for the areas you will be traveling thru;

- Print out the VW shop info from:

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.html

- Print out the contact info from A.I.R.S.:

http://www.type2.com/rescue/

- Print out the contact info from Vanagon Rescue Squad:

http://www.vanagonauts.com/?catid=74

Stuff all three in your glove box and the road gods will be with you ;)

Larry Chase
Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web: WWW.RoadHaus.com
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: at an undisclosed location in Arizona