I've never seen and rarely heard of an area where the situation was so bad that enough (real) money could not get you transportation out. That is even if a person was oblivious enough to sit around while things deteriorated. I agree guns are valuable in a near anarchy situation - almost as much as relationship networks, excellent health, and general knowledge, but I still say gold can get you out when nothing else can.
I have some palladium and I am glad I got it. I have also bought some Rhodium which is a more speculative play. When the auto sector rebounds these metals price will go way up for use in catalytic converters. Rhodiu is also used in mamography and orther specialize x-ray. In the future space technology will also be using rare earth metals. Hold it if you got it. Also FYI Ford motor company tried to corner the market in the the late 90's and that is the reasons why it went over 1k/oz. Akuma