Driving from MidWest

[ygracey]

Have you driven from OH, IN, MO? Do you go though KS, CO & UT or OK, NM & AZ? Have you found pet friendly hotels on either route? We have always used Residence Inn before but it seems their weight limits get smaller and their non-refundable pet fees get larger (even for 1 reservations). Thanks.

 

[NStramler]

Have you driven from OH, IN, MO? Do you go though KS, CO & UT or OK, NM & AZ? Have you found pet friendly hotels on either route? We have always used Residence Inn before but it seems their weight limits get smaller and their non-refundable pet fees get larger (even for 1 reservations). Thanks.

Try LaQuinta I know they are very pet friendly and also have a rewards program.

 

[Argento]

Have you driven from OH, IN, MO? Do you go though KS, CO & UT or OK, NM & AZ? Have you found pet friendly hotels on either route? We have always used Residence Inn before but it seems their weight limits get smaller and their non-refundable pet fees get larger (even for 1 reservations). Thanks.

Both routes are somewhat mountainous compared to the plains states but the southern routes (NM, AZ) are heavier on desert than mountains while the northern routes are heavier on mountains than desert. Either way you choose, you will see plenty of both and will experience a lot of untouched beauty.

Can't help you on hotels as we usually are pet-free so crash wherever we see fit.

 

[Huff]

Its difficult to find a 3 star or higher that accepts larger pets and when they do they charge quite a bit per night for them.

Many Holiday Inns accept pets sometimes without charge. The HI in Flagstaff does. Most Comfort Inns do. On the lower end, Motel 6, Days Inn and Red Roof all accept pets.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

You don't say what time of year you are travelling in. That makes a big difference on the route you take.

As a St. Louis MO girl, I have indeed driven that route and know many others. We call the the I-70/Mountain route and I-44/Southern route.

If you are travelling in the summer, you definitely want to go through CO, UT, and NV. If it's fall, winter, or early spring, take the Southern route through OK, NM and AZ. This is a much better choice that won't snow you in like the mountain route can. When I moved out here to LA, it was the middle of summer and we thoroughly enjoyed driving through Vail and UT with the top of my convertible down so we could appreciate the beautiful mountain scenery to the fullest. The green canyons and rushing river alongside made it extremely memorable.

Have a fabulous drive!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We've driven to/from Salt Lake City, UT/Niagara Falls, NY quite a few times. We werent sightseeing. Just trying to get there as fast as possible. We took I-80 the entire way. Easy driving. Mostly flat without winding roads. Depending on the time of year I 80 and I 70 both close due to weather.

You could take one route and the way out and another on the way back.

 

[Isatricia]

I have driven it many times.

I never make my decision on which way to go until a day or 2 before my trip and then it may change depending on the weather. I have driven each way in all kinds of weather. I40does get snow and the interstate can be closed for it, just as I70 and I80 can.

I live in Missouri and I usually prefer to take I80 through Nebraska (I hate driving I70 across Kansas) then cut down to I70 via I76, then take I15 south. This is the most mountainous route.

My next favorite would be to stay on I80 to I15. It is very pretty going through Wyoming and there are fewer steep mountains.

My least favorite is going down through Kansas, New Mexico and Arizona on I35 to I40.

If you have extra time, I would research each route to see which you would prefer exploring. If you are in a hurry, I would run a trip on one of the maps programs to see which is considered faster then watch the weather.

I can't help much on traveling with animals but I have family members that have traveled each route with pets and had no problems.

 

[Huff]

If you are travelling in the summer, you definitely want to go through CO, UT, and NV. If it's fall, winter, or early spring, take the Southern route through OK, NM and AZ. This is a much better choice that won't snow you in like the mountain route can.

No way to avoid snow entirely as I-40 through AZ can get very heavy snowfall especially between Winslow, Flagstaff and Williams. Flagstaff received 2 feet this past weekend. Parts of I-40 though NM can get lesser amounts of snow. Dropping down to I-10 avoids almost all snow (some but uncommon in SE AZ) but that would be out of the way.

 

[nannyz]

Don't know how big your pet is, but I have a friend who used to carry his Yorkie into the motel room in a paper bag and no one ever found out he had a dog in the room.

 

[bakerudall]

I would take Route 66 the whole way! What a perfect way to celebrate the opening of Carsland. The land would mean a lot more after seeing the whole drive that it was based on.

That being said, I know it's not practical, but if you had a few extra days of time and money, then go for it!

 

[MrsMears]

I drove across country with our dog and stayed at Motel 6 the whole way. They don't charge extra for pooches