I love solo female travel, and traveling with my dog. Both can be extremely powerful experiences for personal growth and bonding, but they both have their own challenges. My dog Pepper has been on road trips with me through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, California, Oregon, and Washington. Some have been long weekend trips, and even a couple of month-long road trips through multiple states. After testing out different strategies for packing, planning, and living life on the road with my dog, these are my tips for solo female travel with a dog and how to prepare for your trip with your best friend.
Rewards and Challenges
If you have a dog, you already know what a rewarding experience it can be to travel with your best friend (and how hard it can be to leave them at home). But it also means there are restrictions and things you will have to compromise on or give up entirely on your trip to bring them along. I love taking an afternoon to stroll a city and check out cute boutiques and shops, but dogs are not welcome in most stores. On the other hand, I love long walks, breweries, and picnics, and these activities are even better with a dog than solo. Bringing a dog on a trip changes some logistics and what you can do, but in some ways it makes the experience better.
From a safety perspective, in some ways I feel safer with my dog as a protector (especially at night), but sometimes it feel like a liability to have a vulnerable animal that you need to care for. At night, I feel safer sleeping knowing that my dog will sound an alarm if anyone tries to break in. One of the biggest challenges I always face is that at some point I need to leave her alone to go to the bathroom or go into a grocery store. In this post, I’ll go through how I plan ahead, challenges I face, and how I handle them with a dog.
Safety for Solo Female Travel with a Dog
I want to start off by saying that I have traveled a lot solo, and solo with a dog, and I feel safe, but I am intentional about how I plan that helps with feeling safe. To have the best experience, there are many things to plan ahead for to make yourself feel more comfortable. I will touch on safety and planning throughout the post, but wanted to mention this is always one of my priorities when travelling solo, especially with a dog.
Some of my top tips include planning your driving route and some stops ahead of time, not over-packing, booking your accommodation ahead of time, and planning to drive and arrive during the day. I like to have paper maps in my car, just in case. If I know I will be out of cell service area, download offline maps ahead of time. I also save some dog-friendly locations along my drive and in my destination so I have some options available if I need something last minute. Also, always share your location and plans with someone so someone always knows where you are.
Planning Ahead for Solo Female Travel with a Dog
When I travel solo, there are many things I plan ahead to make myself feel safer. With a dog, there is even more planning involved since dogs aren’t allowed everywhere. This means packing the right gear, making sure your car is prepared, and planning ahead for where you will stay.
Packing for travel with a Dog
I always feel safer with less stuff, but a dog requires more gear, and traveling with one means packing more food, dog towels, and first aid for your dog. I wrote an entire post on how to pack for a road tip with a dog that has all my favorite essentials.
My biggest tips are to make sure you have everything you need, but try to not make more than that. I always bring Pepper’s favorite bed, food and treats, a few toys, a dog towel, and any medications just in case.
For myself, I try to keep my luggage limited to a carry-on sized bag and a backpack for any electronics I need if I plan on working remotely on the trip. I also have an insulated bag for food, and lots of water bottles! I like packing items that can fold down if I am staying in a location for a longer time like a foldable cooler and water bottles that double as ice packs. The more efficient my packing is, the easier it is to load and unload at any destination.
Vet and Health Prep
Make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccinations and is healthy to travel. Once on a trip, Pepper sprained her ankle in a river in Idaho, and we ended up cutting the trip short because of it. We were able to visit a local vet and get her checked out. It is always a good idea to know your options ahead of time, just in case.
You may need to have your dog’s vaccination records so make sure you have that information available. In some regions, there are different concerns with fleas, ticks, or even seasonal algae blooms in water, or fox tails in Northern California. I like to google these things ahead of time to know what to be aware of.
Of course, make sure your dog has an ID tag on their collar with your contact information, just in case.
Weather and Climate Planning
I have done road trips with Pepper in summer and winter and each season has its own challenges. In summer you need to prepare for the heat. In winter, the snow and ice can be tough on dog paws. I like to pack paw balm for Pepper if I have concerns about snow. I even wrote a post specifically about taking a holiday winter road trip with a dog for more on that topic.
Driving – Planning Rest Stops, Bathroom Breaks, and Gas Stations
First of all, I always plan to arrive during the day if I can and try to keep my dog’s eating and walking schedule as close to normal as possible. Sometimes she gets off her schedule on long driving days and doing a 4am potty walk in a new location is never fun. The closer I can keep things to normal, and plan on having time for a walk after we arrive, the better.
Rest Stops with a Dog
I don’t plan out ALL of my stops on a road trip, but I do like to have an idea of where I will stop and at least one planned break for walking if the drive is more than 4 hours.
For instance, many downtowns (even small towns) have a walking path along a river. If I know I am passing through a town I will search for a trail and parking near the main road and plan a stop. Some of my favorite examples of this are the Sundial Bridge in Redding, California (bonus Calatrava Bridge for architecture lovers!) and the Canyon Rim Trail in Twin Falls, Idaho. I have stopped at many other river trails that I would recommend including Missoula, Idaho Falls, Spokane, Boise, and Bend.
I save locations in google maps ahead of time so I can navigate directly to the parking lot if I know I am planning to stop.
Gas Stations with a Dog
For gas stations, make sure you know approximately how many miles your car can go on a tank of gas and make sure to fill up before you get close to running low. I have cut that close more times that I would like to admit and always regret it. Sometimes on long drives gas stations can be farther apart than you think.
There are some gas stations with small dog parks. You can google gas stations with dog parks to see if there are any along your drive. I prefer large travel stations like Love’s, Pilot, or Flying J for cheaper gas, large restrooms, and sometimes dog break areas.
Bathroom Breaks on the Road for You and Your Dog
One of my challenges on a long drive solo with a dog is how will I go to the bathroom? At rest stops or parks with public bathrooms, I often bring my dog into the bathroom with me. Sometimes at gas stations I need to run in by myself quickly and leave her in the car while my car fills up with gas. If it is hot out, I am extra careful about this and try to park in the shade and go as fast as possible. Summer is more challenging for this since a car can heat up quickly.
With a dog, you will likely have to stop more often than you would solo, so just make sure to plan a little extra diving time for traveling with your dog.
Where to Stay on the Road with a Dog
On any trip, I always debate if I should stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or Home Exchange. I have stayed in all of these options (and with friends and family) with Pepper and have opinions.
If I am only staying 1-2 nights, I tend to choose a hotel in a central location that is walkable to restaurants and parks. It is more difficult to find a home stay that will allow dogs for a short stay. For 3 or more nights, I prefer to find a dog friendly Airbnb or Home Exchange with a yard for Pepper.
Hotels that Allow Dogs
In hotels, book ahead of time and always call to confirm that your dog is allowed. Sometimes a hotel will say it is dog friendly, but you need to make sure they have a dog-friendly room available. Also, many hotels have weight restrictions so you should verify with the hotel that your dog is allowed. You may also have to pay a pet fee.
Once you check in, you will often have to sign an agreement that you cannot leave your dog unattended in the hotel room.
Depending on your dog’s needs and preferences, you can also ask for a room on the ground floor for convenience, or an upper floor if you prefer that for safety, or away from the elevator for less noise. Sometimes I will ask about the windows. Some hotels I have stayed in have window sills that are a little high. Pepper does better if she can see outside so I like to ask if that is an option.
My favorite chain for dog friendly hotels is Kimpton. They allow dogs at all of their hotels for no extra fee and there is no weight limit.
Another thing to keep in mind with hotels is parking. I like to have an idea of how far I will be hauling my stuff. The best is if you stay at a hotel with valet parking or somewhere that will help you unload your car. It feels like such a luxury after a long drive to have someone help unload the car and bring things to your room.
Knowing these details and logistics ahead of time always makes me feel more conformable when I am traveling solo with my dog.
Airbnbs or Home Exchange
For Airbnbs or Home Exchange, logistics are a little different than hotels. If you don’t know what Home Exchange is, I wrote about my first experiences as guest and host. It is a home swap membership that I like to use when travelling. Some Home Exchanges I have stayed in are also rented out as Airbnb’s so from a logistics perspective on road trip, they are very similar.
I always book a home stay ahead of time and make sure the host knows I am bringing my dog and her breed and size. Also, make sure you know the parking situation and dog rules ahead of time so you are prepared. Generally, I find home stays to be easier with a dog since there is often a convenience of being able to leave Pepper in a home if I need to run an errand, and having a backyard for potty breaks makes things easier with a dog. However, finding a home stay with a convenience location that allows dogs can sometimes be challenging.
Where to Eat with a Dog
There are more restrictions to where you can eat with your dog, but I have found that if I plan ahead and know some options, there are plenty of places with outdoor patios that will welcome you and your dog.
My favorite resources for finding dog friendly places to eat is Bring Fido, and asking my host or the hotel I am staying at. I have written several travel guides with places I have found to be incredibly accommodating for dining with dogs including the restaurants we dined at in Boise, Bend, and Carmel.
I like to have a plan for where I will walk my dog and get something to eat when I arrive. Airbnb or Home Exchange hosts are usually local and have good recommendations. At hotels, the front desk staff usually has good recommendations. If you are relying on the internet or information on Bring Fido, it is a good idea to double check. Most of the time it is accurate, but sometimes there are restrictions that are not obvious.
Other options include getting food to go and having a picnic in a park.
Activities to Do with a Dog when Traveling
When I travel with Pepper, I tend to do a lot of long city walks, wandering through neighborhoods to check out the vibes and local architecture, and finding local trails, hikes and parks. I save options ahead of time in google maps and make notes for myself about the dog rules like if leashes are required on trails.
I have written posts about some dog friendly locations and what I have done such as walking between breweries or along the Deschutes River Trail in Bend, playing at a gorgeous dog-friendly beach in Carmel, and many dog friendly things to do in San Francisco.
It is always good to look up what the local laws are where you are travelling. National Parks have many dog restrictions, and each state can have their own regulations with leash laws. I like to know where dogs are allowed wherever I am traveling before I arrive.
Challenges and Logistics of Solo Female Travel with a Dog
One of the biggest challenges I face when travelling alone with my dog is figuring out what to do at times when I need to leave her. Like when I need to go to the bathroom or run into a store to purchase something. I also find I need to plan time into my day to let her nap. You probably know that dogs sleep a lot more than we do and on vacation, they still need those rest periods.
Bathroom Breaks (for me and my dog)
This is always one of my biggest challenges when I travel solo with my dog. I look up my location ahead of time and save some options for dog friendly restaurants, patios, and parks. In some locations, there are good public restrooms in parks and bathroom pods in cities and I just take my dog into the bathroom with me.
When a public bathroom outside isn’t an option, I find my best resource for finding a bathroom is to go to a restaurant or bar that allows dogs and asking for help. I find the hostess and let them know I want to buy a drink and a snack but I have a dog and I need to go to the bathroom, what do I do? I have never been turned down when I say I want to purchase at least a drink, but I have been given multiple options for this. Sometimes I haven been seated on a patio and told I can tie my dog up outside, or had a hostess offer to hold my dog for me. I have even been told to just bring her into the bathroom with me.
In general, as a female traveling solo with a dog, I find that most people are very kind and accommodating. I have also talked to strangers sitting near me on a patio and let them know that I need to go to the bathroom and will be right back and left my dog tied to a table briefly. Figuring out where I can go to the bathroom when there is no one to watch my dog is always a challenge, but I’ve always found a way around it and found that strangers are usually incredibly kind and accommodating of a girl traveling solo with a dog.
Errands and Groceries
Sometimes, I need to go into a grocery store or pick up something I forgot (like a toothbrush) and I need to go into a store that doesn’t allow dogs. Staying in a house makes it easier to leave my dog there if I have been staying long enough that I am comfortable that she will settle. If I am staying in a hotel where my dog is not allowed to be left unattended, this can be more challenging.
If the weather is cool enough, I have quickly left her in the car to run into a store. I have also found a small convenience store and popped my head in to ask if someone will help me buy a toothbrush. This happened to me in Boise and the store was kind enough to point me to the toothbrushes and let me run in quickly with my dog to get what I needed so that I did not need to leave her tied up on the street.
Again, I find that just asking for help is the best solution and strangers seem to be incredibly kind and understanding of a girl traveling solo with a dog.
Scheduling Rest Time and Changing Plans
You probably already know that your dog needs more rest than you, and if you are like me, your dog is getting a lot of activity, new scenery and smells, and generally experiencing a lot of new stimuli on a trip. I find I need to pay attention to my dog’s needs and plan some rest time for her.
In Carmel, we had been wandering the streets downtown when she decided to just lay down on the sidewalk to sunbathe and did not want to get up. I took that as a message that we needed to take a break. Thankfully, I had saved some locations for places to eat and dragged her a block away to a restaurant with a dog friendly patio and had an extra long lunch to give Pepper a chance to rest.
Other things I have done is plan day trips with some driving that give her a chance to rest in the car, and often I will just take a couple of hours in the afternoon to rest in our hotel. I take the time to read, do some work, or figure out logistics for the next days activities while giving Pepper time to nap.
I love traveling with my dog, and part of the bonding experience is just listening to her needs and sometimes changing (or cancelling) plans for her. Sometimes this means just stopping into a brewery and sitting for an hour to give her a rest, taking extra time at the beach to let her play, or changing where I was planning on going that day or cutting a walk short to meet her needs.
Remote Work
I tend to do at least a couple of longer road trips each year where I work remote, or sometimes even just a day or two on a shorter trip. I find travel with my dog actually works well if I am able to adjust my work schedule to just work half days on a trip. As mentioned, dogs need to rest more than we do, so I have found that cadence works well with remote work and traveling with a dog.
I like to do a morning walk, work half the day, and then have a longer hike or walk in the afternoon with my dog. Even if I am still working full time, a morning walk, lunch walk, and evening outing is a great way to explore a new place with your dog.
I find it incredibly rewarding to be able to explore with her and still be able to work on the road. I wrote an entire post about how to work remotely for a month while keeping your day job if you are interested in how I have balanced the logistics of longer remote work on a road trip.
Enjoy Your Paw-some Trip!
I hope this was helpful to you and gives you the confidence to hit the road with your best friend. As mentioned, there are more logistics to prepare for traveling solo with a dog. But it can also be incredibly rewarding and give a different type of trip than you would have if you left your dog at home. If there is anything else you want to know about solo female travel with a dog, let me know in the comments.
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