Cross-country moves are a lotāadding pets can feel like a whole operation. Hereās a simple plan to make the road trip smoother and sleep easy each night.
1) Book pet-friendly hotels the smart way
- On Hotels.com: Search your route city (e.g., āAmarillo, TXā), then apply Filters ā Amenities ā Pet friendly.
- Add Free parking, Breakfast included, and Pay at property if helpful.
- Use Map view to stay right off the interstate and near green space.
- Call to confirm the details before you book:
Backup tools: BringFido (hotel + park database), Google Maps (āpet-friendly hotelā), and VRBO/Airbnb with pet filters for longer stays.
2) Plan your overnights by mileage (no hero driving)
- Aim for 5ā7 driving hours/day so pets can decompress.
- Pre-book every stop along your route (weather and events can sell out rooms).
- Save hotel addresses in your phone/GPS and share with your co-pilot.
3) Pack a āPet Go-Bagā
- Food (plus 2ā3 extra days), collapsible bowls, treats
- Meds, vet records, vaccine proof, microchip info
- Leashes/harnesses, current ID tags
- Litter box/litter & scoop (cats), waste bags
- Familiar bed/blanket + 1ā2 toys (reduces anxiety)
- Old towels/puppy pads (hotel room āentry matā & car crate liner)
4) Car setup & safety
- Crate or secured harnessāprevents sudden door dashes.
- Seat a pet away from airbags and never ride in the open truck bed.
- Keep water accessible; plan 10ā15-min rest stops every 2ā3 hours.
- Never leave pets in a parked car (heat risk year-round).
5) Hotel room routine (first 15 minutes)
- Do a quick room sweep (loose pills, cords, balcony gaps).
- Set up a quiet corner with bed, water, and a chew/toy.
- Use a white-noise app to soften hallway sounds.
- If you step out, use āDo Not Disturbā and a crate; many hotels donāt allow unattended pets.
6) First days in NWA
- Keep routine: same feeding/walk times as the road.
- Update pet license, microchip address, and find your new local vet.
- Explore Lake Atalanta paths, Razorback Greenway segments, Colerās paved paths for easy first walks.