I will be driving from CT to Albuquerque, and back, with my mother, daughter and two dogs. I have devised three different routes and my plan is to leave here June 17 (if I have a clear window for weather-ie no tornadoes-on at least one of the routes). I would ideally like to do it in no more than six nights on the road (I know it can be done in four). ABQ needs to be our final night as we are continuing on the next morning to our cabin in the White Mountains of Arizona. I would like to spend the extra nights focusing on an area that we haven't been to yet. My three thoughts were Badlands/Black Hills, Blue Ridge ParkwayAsheville, or Allegheny Mountains area. Of course with the dogs in tow, it is a bit more difficult. We love scenic areas and small town charm, so would like to incorporate some of that into the drive so we aren't just on interstates the whole time.

Any favorite routes? And any favorite places to stay with the dogs? Thanks!

It's a long way and will be longer with the dogs. I'd probably head from CT to Front Royal, VA via. 84 to 81 mostly and pick up skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway if they let dogs in the National Park. That is a pretty ride, but you can only go 45 mph max and less in many places.

I'd leave the pky at I-64 and head for St. Louis, visit the Arch then head for Albuquerque. Even doing mostly highway, that is going to take most of your 6 days with stops to eat, walk the dogs etc.

You'll have to do lots of research and look for routes that have lodging nearby that will let dogs stay.

Best of luck.

Thanks emalloy. I have been very busy trying to find hotels to take the dogs. Many do but they want an extra $100 a night-ouch! I had that route as a possibility but wasn't sure where to get on/off.

This site might help and there are others, google is your friend:

www.rover.com/‎

Thanks mealy but that site only provides doggy daycare and sitters. I have been using bringfido.com and the pet friendly filter on trip adviser. La Quintas are pet friendly and usually free but I have never stayed at one. We are Marriott peopIe and they have expensive fees.

Have you considered getting someone to stay in your house with the dogs and traveling without them? It would be much easier on them and would you do a lot more on your trip.

Many of the National Parks do not allow them especially on the trails, and leaving them in the car even to go in to eat can be deadly in the heat of the summer.

darn auto correct-i changed "mealy" three times to emalloy and it still changed it back when I posted---argh!

We are going to our home in Arizona for two months so the dogs will need to come with us. We never take them with us whenever we travel, we always get a sitter but we are spending two months out there (we usually only fly out for two weeks in the summer but this summer we are spending the whole summer), so not an option.

nobody has any favorite routes or stops?

Dogs are allowed on the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway areas, and nearby hiking trails. They have to be on a leash.

That sounds better than driving through MO and OK and TX panhandle, which is pretty boring. I've only done that once. Going down to Asheville and then west on 40 sounds more interesting.

I love Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, so another vote for them.

https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm

On the Parkway I have often stayed at Peaks of Otter, but I don't remember seeing dogs there. There are a number of towns just off the Parkway with accommodation, though. I have stayed a couple of times at lodges on Skyline Drive as well, there are links from the main site.

http://www.peaksofotter.com/

Asheville itself is worth some time. Don't miss the Folk Art Center right before Asheville. There is plenty to see on or near the Parkway, i recommend picking up a guidebook.