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Last fall, mid-September, Traveler and I went on a 3200 mile road trip through several Western states. There were a few things I learned from the trip that might prove helpful to other newbie ‘taking the dawg’ road trippers.

#1–LODGING. Look for motels/hotels that have exterior corridors. That means you open your room door and you’re outside. This is really helpful at potty-time. Inside corridors means you get to take the dog down the corridor, probably through the lobby, and then outside. Not fun if you’re just awake with bed-head or dressed in jammies and a robe.

If you have AAA, part of their lodging description includes which motels/hotels are dog friendly. If you travel like I did, without reservations, this is BIG! You can also google ‘pet friendly lodging in ...,’ whatever town or city you’ll be staying in. I didn’t have a laptop, which would probably have helped. Cell phones are great for calling from the road to see if the motel/hotel has a pet-friendly room available. Sometimes I called two or three places before I found a room at the inn, and I wasn’t traveling during high season. Some motel chains, such as Motel 6, advertise that all locations are pet friendly, and I don’t think they charge a pet fee. Otherwise, expect to pay about $10-$25 per day for the luxury of staying in a pet-friendly room.

#2–WHAT TO TAKE IN THE CAR. Take your dood’s regular food–a road trip isn’t a good time to experiment with a new diet, for obvious reasons. Keep a good supply of poo bags right with you, for rest stop or roadside potty breaks. Take a couple of your dood’s favorite toys–this was a great help when I was settled into a room after a long day on the road, and Trav, who’d been mostly sleeping all day, was full of energy and ready to play. Your dood’s bed or favorite blanket is a nice thing to bring along.

#3–FOOD, YOURS. I ended up eating way more fast food than I either expected or wanted, because I couldn’t leave Trav alone in a motel room for more than a few minutes and didn’t like leaving him in the car when I couldn’t see him. Plus, I was traveling mostly in desert country, and it was too hot to leave him in the car. Most of the motels I stayed in had a little refrigerator and microwave, so it was possible to do some food preparation there, but that involved shopping, which again meant leaving him in the car.

#4–NO DOGS ALLOWED. In National Parks, on the trails or paths, even if they’re paved. This pretty much limits you to walking your dog in the camp grounds or parking lots. National Monuments are more dog-friendly, and I was able to hike with Trav on-leash on the trails at Monuments. State parks vary–some are okay with leashed dogs on the trails, some aren’t. The websites for parks tell you their pet policies, and/or that policy is posted by the park entrance.

 

Happy trails to all you roadies!!!

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Thanks for this information. Did you cross post this discussion in the Traveling doodle group. It would be really helpful there also.
Ah, shucks. I hadn't even found that discussion! Thanks--I'll do it.
Please Please --cross post this into the Traveling Group. Many go into that group when it is time to take a vacation or travel and want to take the dog.

Ad this to an old discussion or just cross post it into a new discussion. Thanks.
Hokay--I posted or cross posted this in a couple of discussions or groups having to do with travel. I think. :) Thanks for the instructions--we be new. We be puppies.
Yea!!! You be a good puppy.
La Quinta is pet friendly and their rooms are much nicer than Motel 6 and worth the

bit extra for the room. There are no pet charges for either one.
Ahhhhh....that is such a cute photo!! One happy dog. I don't think I actually stayed in a Motel 6, but just remembered that they adverise as pet-friendly. La Quinta is nice!!!
Notice Webber is on the white sheets not the colored spread! The only place we have ever stayed with Ned had WHITE comforters. We ended up wiping his paws every time we came in.
LOL Most of the places I stayed had white bedspreads! Why would they do that??!! A motel I stayed in on the Oregon Coast gave out pet baskets, with treats, food and water dishes, and two sheets to spread over the couch and bed. Now that was smart! Couldn't believe all the sand that ended up on those sheets.
We always bring along a sheet to toss over the bed to protect the spread and sheets. Banjo doesn't go on our bed because it's so high but as soon as we get into a hotel/motel room with the low beds the FIRST thing he does is jump on up and make himself at home!
You go, Banjo! I got a thrift-store bed spread so Trav could be on the bed without damaging the main bedding. How nuts is that??!! Taking a sheet along is a great idea. Thanks!
There were two beds and he is on HIS with his dirty feet on the white sheets!!

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