I love CL!! I have about 12 cities I look at (friends in all of them) and thats how I have found some really killer deals on sewing machines. I have also sold several things on CL and never had any issues and always made money.
As far as the drives I dont mind driving 12 hours or so one way to pick up something. Most of the flea markets and swap meets I go to are that far away and we make it a day trip as such. Drive all night to get there by 7am and hang out most of the day looking and buying and hop back in the truck around 3pm and come on home.
Billy