2002 Toyota Echo funny sound

Noises problem
2002 Toyota Echo Two Wheel Drive Manual

Hi there,

I am about to take my car on a 1000 mile trip and today I heard a funny noise. I only heard it echoed off of other cars or concrete walls. It sounded like a metallic grinding or maybe kind of like something dragging on the ground (which I did check for). The sound is very faint but I tested it in some traffic (where I could best hear it) and it goes away when I touch the breaks. The only thing I noticed was sometimes when I release the clutch, there is a a whistle sound -- like half of a cat call.

My car is a 133,333 miles and has so far had nothing wrong with her. She's ugly, but I have maintained her as best I can so I figure she's due for some issues. I have so far had to do no maintenance except oil changes, tires and once I had to get a belt adjusted. A few other small issues I fixed myself.

I am freaking out because I have no money for a big repair, so if it is something I can do half myself. I recently moved here and don't have a mechanic I trust. If it's something I can take on the road trip, there is a mechanic I know up North I can visit and who is honest / lets me help.