Book Before You Go

Line up pet-friendly lodging before the trip, not from the road at 9 p.m. Policies vary widely — some charge a fee or deposit, some cap size or breed, and some demand proof of vaccination. Booking ahead means you are never stranded looking for a room that takes dogs.

Bring the paperwork, too: a copy of vaccination records, your vet's phone number, and a note of the nearest emergency clinic at your destination. Sorted in advance, it turns a panic into a phone call.