I have both traveled cross country to pick one up in person and had one flown in nonstop flight, both routes are expensive, time consuming and not without potential mishaps.
If I had to do it again, I'd travel to go pick it up, nothing like 2-3 days of bonding time with your new pup, but you must have the patience of a saint.
I would drive and get it too, though I have always found my dogs more local. Nothing like spending the first few days cooped up with a new dog as far as bonding goes.
I’d put it in a kennel just big enough so it can turn around and lay down. Put kennel in rear passenger seat facing driver so they can see each other. Little gaffer would most likely be kennel trained by the time she gets it home. I’d bring the kennel in the hotel and try to get a room closest to a door as possible.