so.cal to virgina two girls, a teenager, a baby,&beagle help!!

[misti]

i am planning to drive from southern california to virginia beach with my two sisters, my niece, and her dog.
I don't know where to start, i need info from hotels to food and everything inbetween. Mostly i am wondering if there are adequate signs for food and lodging or should we make hotel reservations ahead of time? We are also on a budget and will have to stop frequently seeing as how we will have a toddler and a puppy. Any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

MISTI 1. MOTELS MOST OFTEN ARE NEAR CITIES AND INTERSTATE CONNECTIONS. 2. THE SINAGE FOR THESE ARE USUALLY ADEQUATE. 3. GET A GUIDE LIKE AAA GUIDE START LOOKING FOR LODGING A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE YOU INTEND TO STOP. TELEPHONE AHEAD TO MAKE RESERVATIONS ( YOU MAY RUN INTO SOME RESTRICTIONS REGUARDING THE PUPPY ) YOU WANT TO FIND THOSE THINGS OUT EARLY TO AVOID WANDERING AROUND LOOKING FOR A PLACE. 4. ON A BUDGET FOOD IS WHERE YOU CAN CUT. BUY MUFFINS THE NIGHT BEFORE, FOR BREAKFAST AND HAVE SNACKS IN THE CAR FOR LUNCH RAISENS,M&M S AND PEANUTS CAN BE EATEN ALL DAY WITH BOTTLED WATER. RESTAURANTS CAN DESTROY YOUR BUDGET WITH OUT YOU NOTICING IT UNTILL YOU WONDER WHERE IT ALL WENT. HAVE A SAFE TRIP. GEO.F.

[misti]

Thanks your info will be very helpful to me and my family!

Sincerely,
Misti

[Mark Sedenquist]

There are plenty of postings about favorite motels and places to eat on this forum. Generally, Best Western and La Quinta motels welcome both kids and puppies. There are some great guide books for traveling with dogs on this site, (http://www.roadtripamerica.com/read/pets.htm) We have never had difficulty finding a place that would welcome our companion -- Marvin the Road Dog and we have been in hundreds and hundreds of places around the USA.

I am a stickler for NOT MAKING RESERVATIONS I much prefer to check out motels in person, no matter who is in the traveling group.

You will have no difficulty in finding places to stop, rest and eat on your east. Go have fun!