Weekend Getaway With a Dog and How to Plan It Well

Booking a short trip gets complicated the moment the dog is coming too. Half the "pet friendly" listings turn out to mean one small dog under 20 pounds, the trail you planned bans dogs from May to September, and you spend Saturday afternoon looking for somewhere that will seat you on a patio.

A weekend getaway with a dog can be one of the easiest trips you take, but only if you plan around the dog first and everything else second. I have done around 30 of these with my border collie mix, from mountain cabins to small coastal towns, and this is the process that keeps both of us happy.

Choosing a destination for a weekend getaway with a dog

The best places for a two-night trip with a dog share three things: a drive of under three hours, outdoor space you can walk to from where you sleep, and a town where dogs are a normal sight. Small towns near national forests, lakes or long beaches usually fit. Big cities can work, but you will spend more time hunting for grass than exploring.

Check the rules for the specific outdoor areas, not just the region. In the United States, national forests generally allow leashed dogs on most trails, while many national parks restrict dogs to paved paths, campgrounds and parking areas. Beaches vary by season. Plenty of them allow dogs from October through April and ban them in summer.

Keep the drive short. Most dogs handle two to three hours easily, with a 15-minute stop around the halfway point. A five-hour drive each way eats most of a weekend for you and leaves the dog restless for the first evening.

Booking a place that is actually dog friendly

A listing that says "pets allowed" tells you almost nothing. Before you book, message the host or call the front desk and ask:

• Is there a weight limit or a limit on the number of dogs?
• What is the pet fee, and is it per night or per stay?
• Can the dog be left alone in the room or cabin, and for how long?
• Is there a fenced yard or a grassy area within a short walk?
• Are there rules about furniture or beds?

Pet fees typically run 25 to 75 dollars per stay at hotels and cabins, though some charge that per night. A few chains have no fee at all. Ask for the answers in writing in the booking message, so there is no surprise at check-in.

Cabins and small cottages tend to be easier than hotels. You get a door that opens straight onto grass, no elevator, and no barking neighbours on the other side of a thin wall. If you prefer sleeping outdoors, our guide to your first night at a campground covers the gear basics, and most campgrounds welcome leashed dogs.

What to pack for the dog

Pack the dog's bag first, the night before. Here is my list for two nights:

1. Food for every meal plus one extra day, measured into bags.
2. Collapsible water bowl and a 1 liter bottle of water for the car.
3. Leash, a spare leash, and a long line of about 15 feet for open areas.
4. Collar with an ID tag showing your phone number, and microchip details up to date.
5. Bed or blanket that smells like home, and one favourite toy.
6. Poop bags, an old towel for muddy paws, and a lint roller.
7. Any medication, plus a copy of vaccination records on your phone.
8. A sheet to throw over the rental's sofa or bed.

Familiar food matters more than people think. Switching brands on a trip is a reliable way to spend Sunday morning dealing with an upset stomach.

Planning the days around the dog

Build each day around two good outings: a long walk or hike in the morning and a shorter one late in the afternoon. A tired dog settles in a new place. An under-exercised one paces and whines at every unfamiliar sound.

Look up dog-friendly cafes, breweries and restaurants with outdoor seating before you leave and save them on a map. In cold or wet weather this is harder, so have a backup. Some pet supply stores, garden centers and outdoor gear shops let leashed dogs inside, which gives you somewhere warm to wander. Our list of ideas for a rainy day away from home has a few more options that adapt well.

Plan meals so someone can stay with the dog, or pick takeout and eat at the cabin one evening. That evening in, with the dog asleep by the fire, often ends up as the best part of the trip.

Why you should not leave the dog alone in the room

A lot of advice says that if a dog is crate trained at home, it is fine to leave it in a crate at the hotel while you go out to dinner. I disagree with that as a default. A crate at home is in a familiar room, with familiar sounds. In a new place, many dogs that are calm at home bark, scratch the door or try to escape, and you will not be there to hear it.

That risks a complaint, extra cleaning fees that can reach 150 to 250 dollars, or a dog that is stressed for the rest of the trip. If you need to leave the dog, do a trial run first: step out for 10 minutes on the first afternoon and listen from outside. If it goes quietly, try 30 minutes later. Many hosts also allow it only for a couple of hours, so check their rules. When in doubt, plan the weekend so the dog comes everywhere.

Safety and health on the road

Never leave a dog in a parked car on a warm day. On a 75 degree day, the inside of a car can pass 100 degrees in about 10 minutes. Use a crash-tested harness or a secured crate in the car, not a loose dog on the back seat.

Before you go, save the address of the nearest emergency vet to your destination. Check for ticks after every walk in long grass or woodland, and keep the dog on flea and tick prevention through the season. For more general ideas on squeezing the most out of two days, read how to make the most of a weekend getaway.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find dog friendly hotels for a weekend trip?

Filter booking sites for pets allowed, then confirm details directly with the property before paying. Ask about weight limits, fees and whether dogs can be left alone. Small cabins and cottages are often more relaxed than large hotels.

How long can a dog travel in a car in one day?

Most healthy adult dogs manage a few hours comfortably with a break every two hours for water and a short walk. For a weekend trip, keeping the drive under three hours each way is kinder to the dog. Puppies and older dogs may need more frequent stops.

What should I bring for my dog on a weekend trip?

Bring the dog's usual food plus an extra day, water and a bowl, a leash and spare, ID tag, bed or blanket, poop bags, a towel and any medication. A copy of vaccination records is useful if you need a vet. A favourite toy helps the dog settle.