Driving cross country in a 97 Civic; should I replace the timingbelt?

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Ordinarily they never would. It's simply a means for the test lab to
accelerate the aging process when performing life expectancy tests.
Failure in the lab environment is determined to have occurred only when
the rubber starts to crack, and not when the belt actually breaks. By the
way, these tests are continuously ongoing with representative samples
taken from every shipment from the supplier.

 

Also driving down the highway at a fairly steady speed puts very little
stress on something like a timing belt.

 

So because damage will be done if the belt should break, the OP should
replace it 15,000 miles early, whether it needs it or not? Gee - why don't
you just change it at every other oil change and be really safe....

 

The belt is in its seventh year. What is the time recomendation from Honda?

 

You're right. For some reason I was thinking we were talking about a '99.
The recommendation is 90,000 or 7 years. If it were mine, I would have no
reservations about driving it cross country before changing the belt though.

 

CHANGE THE BELT!!!
On an engine you have intake and exhaust valves. The are located in what is
called the "head", which is on top of the "block". The intake and exhaust
valves open and close in "time" with the piston going up and down in the
block. If a valve is open when the piston reaches the top of the block you
now have an engine that needs major repair. It will more than likely not
run anymore. If it does run at all it will bring tears to your ears. So I
say to you CHANGE THE BELT!!!
On some Hondas they have to remove the water pump to get to the timing belt
and they may recommend changing it at that time. Yes, tell them to change
the water pump at the same time. Of course it only applies if they have to
remove yours to get to the timing belt.

 

If your manual recommends 90K then that should be fine. Giving that you
fall under the "normal" wear and tear threshold. But you should at least
make sure all your other maintenance items have been
changed/replace/inspected as per the manual. I say manual for a reason.
You can not go wrong with the manual, but the dealer will try to
"sell/recommend/suggest" a lot more than you really need. Ask the dealer if
your car has to have the water pump removed in order to replace the timing
belt. Depending on your cash flow you might want to buy a timing belt
and/or water pump and bring it on your trip with you. The price of a Honda
part should be the same nation wide but sad to say it is not. I have found
a five dollar difference on the battery just in my area. Things might be
more in CA. Due to the age of your car, you might have to get yours smog
(air quality) inspected in CA. A well tuned car should do fine. A word of
warning though, in a Honda or any car for that matter try to avoid
gas-alcohol or ethanol enhanced gas at all cost. Alcohol will absorb any
and all water that may be in your tank and make the car run bad for a while.
If you were to look at STP Dry Gas the main ingredient is alcohol.

happy cross trip driving to you