My dogs, Buster & Lily, are experienced travelers. They took their first road trip at one week old when we took a two-hour drive to take their mom to the vet. At 5 months old, we did our first multi-day drive from California to Alaska. It took us 5 days and I learned a lot about how to travel with pups. And in particular, packing for a solo road trip.
When the dogs were smaller, there wasn’t as much need to organize the car to perfection but now that they are BIG, space must be utilized efficiently. Buster is 92 pounds and Lily is 70 pounds. They pretty much take up the whole back of the car. They need to have room to stand, turn and reposition themselves throughout the drive. For this reason, I don’t overpack or bring a lot with us and I lay the seats down for maximum space.
To prepare the area, I start by covering the back with the reusable extra-large puppy pad. I bought it when we were potty training 10 puppies. The blanket is waterproof rubber on one side and plush microfiber on the other. I tuck it in and around all the exposed bits of upholstery on the seat. It will protect the car seats should anything get spilt or from muddy, sandy, wet paws when the dogs jump into the car.
When you lay down the seats in my CRV, the back doesn’t lay flat. There is a bit of a drop. I fill in that drop with a bag of extra dog food, pillows, blankets, or flat boxes filled with stuff I want to take. The space must be filled with something you don’t want to have access to enroute. To make it extra comfy and to keep the puppy pad in place, I have an old carpet fitted to the back seat area. It gives the space a little cushion and doesn’t move as the dogs reposition themselves. I lay it down on top of the puppy pad and the other stuff.
Organizing Space for Comfort
The key to packing for a solo road trip is organizing for comfort. To make the space comfortable for the pups, I put their dog bed in the back, right about even with the wheels. It is a square bed with arms and a back, kinda like a little couch. Buster barely fits in it anymore but they both love curling up in it. This leaves room in the very back to put plastic totes filled with dog treats and food. I add old towels, two king size blankets or comforters, an air mattress, a jug of water, and extra windshield cleaner around the totes. The totes prevent any curious puppy dogs from getting into the food while enroute or if I’m out of the car for any reason.
I like to fill the foot space between the front seat and back. It creates a solid space, covered with the carpet so the dogs won’t fall through to the floor, and it extends their space a good foot or so. On the driver side in the back, I have the pups’ jug of water and their leashes, harnesses and Chuck-it. Everything I need for the dogs to get out of the car is within easy access.
On the passenger side, I fill the space with boxes – I designate this area for things I’m not going to use along the way. The home depot small box fits perfectly behind the passenger seat and smaller boxes or soft items can fill in around it. I have one bag filled with toys for the dogs that I put in the back near the passenger side door. The dogs will have access to it should they want to play/chew while driving but mostly I can grab the bag for the hotel room.
Keeping Things Handy for Driver
Driving solo on a road trip, you need to have handy access for things along the way. I use the front seat for all things that I need. I put my duffel bag, my camera bag on the floor of the passenger front seat. The front seat itself has my ice chest and my plastic tote with snacks and people food. When the dogs were puppies, they would get into my snacks whenever I left them alone in the car. Even for very short times, like gassing up the car! I haven’t tested them since they are older, but the tote is also a convenient way to contain everything.
Since I munch while driving along the way, I have a canvas bag that I put my day’s meals in. It’s easier access than the tote and helps control mindless eating! I have a water bottle in the door and a cup of coffee in the console cup holder. My phone is plugged into the dash so it is charging and giving me my maps, music, as well as phone/messages.
When we get to our hotel for the night, everything I need is easy to grab and when we leave, easy to repack. It works for me and makes the road trip very manageable for a single person.
I have a very specific routine for puppy proofing my hotel rooms. Read about it here.
