Interesting you should ask, that's about what we spent. Second largest expense was for bike carrier on car. You can get better lights, don't settle for anything under HID for headlights. They are about $400, but well worth it at night. I compromised with 30w Halo lights and they are marginal.

Check out the Giant OCR Touring. I love it, but would recommend you have your local bike shoe, LBS abbrev on forum, swap out the rear 11-31 mountain bike cassette for a 12-26 road cassette. Check out Performance as they should stay open late and have a 0% financing for 12 months.
The OCR Touring is overbuilt for commuting, just what I wanted. No hassle rides.

Don't like the REI buzz disc brakes being CPS. You want at least a midrange quality here cause of possible monsoons. Also it only has a double up front and not a triple. Your handlebars are flat and you might want to use drop handlebars for that distance. I have my OCR setup so I ride 95% of the time as a hybrid, but do occasionally drop for a taste of fun. With your distance you'll probably want to add bike racks and rackbags [panniers], and I don't see mounts on that bike.

Lifetime warantee is worth zip. If it gives out, you wouldn't want it because you'll have a new perfect bike you're lusting over. If REI is pushing it heavily, I would worry about the frame.

Other bikes with disc brakes to look at are: Jamis Coda Elite, and Cannondale Cylocross Disc.
REI does have some good items, but shop with care.

Sorry got to run, you might do a forum search on my name. I just returned to biking and it has been an interesting time coming up to speed. [ fyi- initial name was huffypuffy ]