Fire up the GPS, stock up on treats, and get ready for the ultimate adventure with your furry friend. A coast-to-coast road trip with your pet can be a great way to see the country and spend quality time with your best pal. This guide gives you pointers, destination ideas, and a packing list to help you prepare for your journey.
General Tips Before Hitting the Road With Your Pet
Of course, where you go on your road trip depends a lot on where you start. For this guide, we’ll imagine you’re starting and ending in two of the country's most iconic cities, New York and Los Angeles.
However, no matter where your trip takes you, keep these important points in mind when traveling with your pet.
- Limit your daily drive time to between four and six hours to minimize stress on your pet.
- Plan to stop every two to three hours for potty breaks, water, stretching, and opportunities for your pet to get some exercise.
- Don’t wing it when it comes to where you stay throughout your trip. Verify ahead of time that all your accommodations accept pets, whether it’s hotels, vacation rentals, or staying with friends and family.
- Take your time packing so you’re sure you have everything your pet needs before you begin your trip. (Make sure to check out the packing list at the end of this article.)
- Do you need to do any special training with your pet before your lengthy road trip? For example, you might work on leash training your cat or acclimating your dog to longer car rides.
- Keep a cooler well-stocked throughout your adventure to enjoy picnic lunches and snacks at scenic pull-offs and parks.
- Pack all of your pet’s belongings in a separate bag to make things easier to find.
- Keep your pet’s leash, food, treats, dishes, medicine, and water easily accessible throughout the trip.
Sample Itinerary for the Ultimate Road Trip With Your Pet
This itinerary assumes you’re taking a month-long road trip across the USA, starting in New York City and ending in Los Angeles.
Week One: Heading Down the East Coast
Make your way from NYC to Washington, D.C., which takes approximately 5 hours of drive time. Check out the following pet-friendly spots.
Let your dog run off some energy in NYC before you set out in the car at the Carl Schurz Park Dog Run. Head to Philadelphia, and stop for a potty break and some exercise at Schuylkill River Dog Park, then grab lunch at White Dog Café.
Finish things up in Washington, D.C. at The Wharf. Enjoy waterfront dog runs and outdoor dining. Stay at the George Hotel by Kimpton, which has no pet restrictions or fees.
Next, head to Shenandoah National Park, VA, via the scenic Skyline Drive. It features ample pull-offs for pet stops and excellent views. If you’re the adventurous type, plan some hiking with your dog or cat. Make the most of your time in the mountains with a stay in a rustic cabin at Lewis Mountain Cabins.
Finish off week one in Asheville, North Carolina. Tour the beautiful Biltmore Estate and Gardens (leashed pets are welcome outdoors). Grab a bite at Burial Beer Co. and stay at Omni Grove Park Inn, a gorgeous pet-friendly mountain resort.
Week Two: Heading Further South, Then Into America’s Heartland
In week two, head to Nashville, TN, and make your way toward Kansas City, making a few stops along the way.
From Asheville to Nashville is about a five-hour drive, so plan to stay the night in TN. Stop for Lunch at South Coast Pizza in Knoxville and stretch your legs and paws. Then, stay the night in Nashville at the hip Bobby Hotel and grab some grub at the popular Fido Café.
After departing Nashville, head to the Gateway to the West, St. Louis, MO. Stop about halfway in Marion, IL, to enjoy a visit to the stunning Mandala Gardens. Once in St. Louis, explore miles of walking paths in Forest Park, check out the famous Gateway Arch, and stay overnight at the Moonrise Hotel.
Round out week two with a drive to Kansas City, KS, and dinner at Velo Garage and Tap House. Take in the beauty of scenic drives in the countryside and get the full experience with a pet-friendly farm stay through an Airbnb. Or pamper your furry friend with a pet package at the Crossroads Hotel.
Week Three: Explore the Midwest and the Rockies
Head to Denver, CO, and journey on to Salt Lake City, UT, checking out Rocky Mountain National Park and other stops.
You’ll need a stopover between Kansas City and Denver to break up the drive. You can give your pet a break and let them snooze in a pet-friendly hotel while you check out the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays, KS.
In Denver, run and play at Cherry Creek State Park in the huge fenced off-leash area, eat at Ratio Beerworks, and stay at the Limelight Hotel.
Drive the Trail Ridge Road and enjoy scenic views as you head through Rocky Mountain National Park. Take a stroll on one of the paved walkways with your pet and book a pet-friendly cabin at Estes Park KOA.
End week three in Salt Lake City, exploring the Bonneville Salt Flats and Memory Grove Park. A good halfway point between Estes Park and Salt Lake is Dinosaur National Monument, if traveling via Hwy 40. Check out Airbnb or other vacation rentals for some nearby pet-friendly accommodations.
Week Four: The Great West and Your Final Destination, the Pacific Coast
How about a visit to Lake Tahoe? Make your way from Salt Lake City to Lake Tahoe, staying overnight about halfway through to break up the drive. In Lake Tahoe, enjoy time on Kiva Beach and stay at Basecamp Tahoe South.
Wake up and head to San Francisco, stopping for some playtime at Crissy Field Beach and lunch at Park Chalet. Spend the night at Hotel Nikko, which showcases a rooftop dog run, then head down the Pacific Coast Highway to Carmel-by-the-Sea, one of the country’s most pet-friendly towns.
From Carmel-By-The-Sea, continue down the coast to Santa Barbara, and explore a pet-friendly winery. Stay with your pet at the charming Marina Beach Motel. Then, head to your final stop, Los Angeles, and enjoy a relaxing stroll along Rosie’s Dog Beach, the only off-leash dog beach in LA County.
Traveling With Your Friendly Feline?
A road trip with cats comes with a few more challenges. Stick to shorter drives and opt for more cabin or vacation rental stays so your kitty can safely roam and explore indoors. Invest in a good cat backpack or stroller so your cat can enjoy the outdoors with you stress-free.
Pet Road Trip Checklist
Here’s a quick packing list to help you gather everything you need for a road trip with your pet.
- Collar with updated ID tags
- Microchip info
- Harness
- Seat belt clip or secure travel crate
- Current vet records and vaccination proof
- Recent photo of your pet
- Enough pet food for your entire trip, plus a few extra days
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Treats
- Interactive toys, licking mats to help with stress relief
- Gallon jugs of water
- Measuring scoop for food
- Pet’s favorite blanket and toy, a T-shirt with your scent
- Extra toys, chews
- Window shade for the car
- Leash
- Poop scoop and bags
- Portable litter box, scoop, bags, litter
- Paper towels
- Old towels
- Wipes
- Disinfectant
- Pet’s medications, including flea and heartworm prevention
- Pet first-aid kit
- Cooling mat or vest, or sweater, depending on the time of year and destinations
- Booties
- Your pet-friendly itinerary and list of dog parks and pet stops
- Spare collar and leash
- Basic grooming supplies
- Folding crate or portable playpen
- Flashlight or collar light for nighttime walks
Get Ready for a Cross-Country Adventure With Your Pet
Think you’re ready to embark on an epic road trip with your pet? The best thing to do is to take your time to prepare. Make sure you have everything you need and head out with a plan. As with any big trip, planning is critical, but it’s even more crucial when you’re traveling with a pet.
For more fun tips, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog. You’ll find even more tidbits about how to set yourself up for success when you and your pet hit the road.