2 crazy people with 2 cars, 3 dogs and a pot belly pig moving cross country

My significant other and I have purchased a 2nd home in Charleston SC. At the end of May we plan to drive 2 vehicles, light luggage and all our pets (3 dogs and one ornery pot belly pig) on a 4-5 day journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Charleston. The ONLY reason we are making the drive is because of the pet pig. Normally we would ship dogs and transport vehicles along with all other possessions. We are planning to drive anywhere from 8-11 per day, all dependent on the pigs temper. All 3 dogs in one car and 1 pig in the other vehicle. We plan for a 4 day trip to reach our destination, with 3 hotel (searching for pet friendly) overnights along with way. Hammie the 200 lb pet pig is accustomed to riding in the Nissan van that he will be hauled in, but obvioulsy not for this peirod of time (usually max of 1/2 hour ride). The van is basically outfitted with everything he needs not to have to get out of the vehicle the entire trip (liter pan, food, bed straw etc.), but we hope to be able to take him out (via ramp) so he can stretch his tiny legs - all depends on how unruly. trying to time the drive based on acceptable evening temperatures should the pig need to stay in vehicle overnight, while we get some rest.
Yes, we are dreading this drive and dont plan on any unnecessary stopovers of any kind, other than the obvious needs including bathroom/gas/food and sleep. Im having a bit of trouble navigating the map wizard on this site but will slowly figure it out. Would love suggestions on good stopping points (layover) along I40, especially first full day. Was planning on making it to Flagstaff, which will be roughly a full day of 8 hours in the car. Any input for our journey would be fabulous.

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

Unfortunately, pet pig or not, you can't do this trip safely in 4 days. Even with 5 days you are likely to be on the road for 10 hours every day with a little time for rest breaks, lunch and exercise the dogs and that may even become too much for the pets, if not you. Dividing stops into doable days you would be looking at Flagstaff, Tucumara NM, Sallisaw OK and Birmingham AL.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

At nearly 2,600 miles, trying to make this drive in four days would be a poor choice. You'd have to average 650 miles a day. As it is, your situation is less than ideal. You are not going to get away early on departure day. You are going to have to stop more frequently than normal to take care of your menagerie, and you are not going to get a solid eight hours of sleep on any night unless you plan to ignore the pig in the van.

I would also note that Santa Barbara to Flagstaff is NOT and eight hour drive. It's nine hours at the speed limit with no stops whatsoever, which means it's going to be more like 10-11 in the real world. My advice is simple: Add a fifth day.

AZBuck

Flagstaff and Tucumcari look good for the first 2 nights, but Fort Smith AR would be a better choice for the 3rd night, a lot wider choice of hotels. Birmingham looks good for the 4th night.

To get to Birmingham from Memphis, you have some new roads open. Take I-55 south to Exit 283, then I-69N/MS-304E to I-22 east. Taking I-240 to US-78 is shorter, but involves a lot of traffic and traffic lights between I-240 and the TN/MS state line.

Sallisaw and Fort Smith/Van Buren AR aren't all that far apart. I'd look over the choices online and see what you can come up with. The problem that I see is *3* dogs. Pet friendly is one issue, but finding hotels that are pet friendly toward *3* dogs, might be a bit of a challenge. Sallisaw has a Motel 6, which have a tendency to be very pet friendly (not to mention budget-friendly).

Having driven coast-to-coast several times, I concur with the others -- this is at LEAST a 5-day, 4 night trip. Flagstaff has a lot of choices in places to stay (and to eat), but it is at least 10 hours, probably closer to 11 or 12. If I were in your shoes, I'd avoid as much of Cajon Pass I-15 as I could -- perhaps take the 101 to the 126, to the 5 south, to the 14 to Palmdale, then over to the 15 via the 18. You'll come out in Victorville north of all the construction that they always deny is happening (but it always is!). The 15 will take you to the 40. Check your fuel tanks before departing Barstow, because there isn't much between there and Needles.

We found, in traveling in two cars, that family radios were a nice option over the constant need to "phone" the other one, and in areas where cell phone service is lacking, family radios still work.




Donna

All good points, especially about accommodating the pets. Could be difficult to plan out based on the unknowns on travel time per day. Starting to plan for option a,b,c and d ��

If you plan around 550 miles being a 9-10 hour day with appropriate stops you won't be far out. Has the pig slept in the van overnight before ? Might be worth giving it a try before you go.

Check out this website: Pets Welcome Hotels.

In just browsing Flagstaff, I found that Comfort Inn Lucky Lane has a *5* pet limit, but at $25 fee per pet. Econo Lodge University has a *3* pet limit, $10 pet fee per pet. The rest are listed with a 1 or 2 pet limit.

Of course, you'd want to call the place directly, to confirm that they still have that limit.


Donna