What do you wear when traveling to a race?

None of the races I've done have had a place to change, so I just wear my tri stuff, usually with a long sleeved shirt over it.  (Even in August, I swear, it's chilly at 5:00 AM!)

Afterwards I usually hit the nearest diner, change in the bathroom and inhale a huge breakfast.

Ha!  I read this and had a mental image of some guy driving down the road in a wetsuit. 

I have just worn my race gear, but haven't travelled much over an hour to get to a race.  My racing clothes are not uncomfortable so its not a big deal.   And its one less thing to worry about that morning before the race.  You may want to consider changing for the drive home. 

When we started, my wife and I were advised to not drive to and from races wearing tri shorts and to plan on changing right before transition closes at the beginning of the race.

However, for practicality, we go with the tri suit and top for any drive less than 30 minutes.  Of course, we're still waiting around in the shorts for an hour or more so I am not sure that it's a great idea to wear them even for short drives, but its what we do.

Tri suit and shorts, maybe with a T-shirt over it, every time. If the drive's over 90 minutes, I go the day before the race and get a room.

Too much other stuff to worry about at the race site to be bothered with having to change clothes. If it's that long a drive after the race, I'll find a place to change.

Any rationale for this "advisement"?

Um, why does it even make a difference? People doing an IM wear them for hours upon hours.

+1 The same here....

Well ... since you asked.  Generally, bike and tri shorts can irrate the skin because they create a moist environment and this can lead to unnecessary pain in the saddle.  You wear them on the bike because you have to, but its best not to continue wearing them for long periods of time either before or after.

Um, I guess. But usually there are not places to change at races - and I would not want to try to change clothes in a port-a-potty. If the drive is really that long, it usually makes more sense to stay over night. But an hour or so, not a big deal.

I don't think the shorts themselves create a "moist environment". That issue is more about after a race/ride when the pad is full or perspiration (and bacteria) that can then be held there in the pad and grow and seep back into pours or cuts or scratches and cause infections or gnarly stuff. If the shorts are clean, you can wear them all day without fear of "moistening".

Well, to be fair, they did say it was for their first race.  There may have been some "moistening" issues if they were scared enough!

I generally wear my shirt shorts and top to races.  Afterwards, I wrap a giant towel around me at the car to create a "cone of privacy" and change into some pants and the race t-shirt.

Not a dude, but some of us aren't that graceful and/or coordinated at the "change under a towel" thing and don't want to end up flashing the crowd...

Same here.  I quickly change clothes under a big towel before driving home. 

To the race site, I'll wear my tri top and shorts under sweat pants and a tee shirt.

Amen, or I always just change in the car.  It's not like there are hordes people milling around my car before and after the race.

2 things

1. They are going to be plenty moist after hopping in the pool.

2. Ride/Run fast enough and they will dry

On the way to a race, I have my HRM transmitter and my tri suit on under a sweat suit or shorts and t-shirt with flip flops....

I bring a change of clothes and make a covert change in the car if needed after the race into something cleaner and more comfortable..

 What kind of car do you drive?  And your race on 9/6 is in Williamsburg, VA, right?