I'm moving back to NYC from Seattle and we will be driving over fourth of july weekend - it was the ONLY time my partner could come out to help with the drive so that can't be changed, please spare me the lectures about what a bad weekend it is.

We are driving with my cat in a non-air conditioned vehicle. While I've done this drive myself during the summer with only minor discomfort, we're worried about the animal, even if we keep him shaded/hydrated/etc. driving at night would be far less taxing on him.

Our thought was to drive from about 3pm until midnight or until we get tired, and then find a motel that would give us a late checkout, repeat that schedule pretty hardcore. yes, i realize that we won't see much of the country but with a pet in the car, sightseeing or lengthy stops of any kind are out of the question anyway.

i know there used to be some night drivers on this board so i am hoping for wisdom. the only thing that comes to my mind is that we will need to stop every 4 hrs to rotate drivers and let the cat attend to business and the idea of stopping at rest areas in the middle of the night is not my favorite thing to do - but i will have a male companion and we are from nyc so we have reasonable common sense.

thanks in advance for help and assistance. if it matters, we'll be taking the northern route - 90 to 94 and then down to 80 through PA.