Taking a road trip with a border collie can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. At first mine hated to ride in the car. She’s since learned that we get into all kinds of adventures once we get rolling down the road. Now, she’s more than willing to hop in and enjoy the ride!
Where to go on a road trip
Now you may already have this part taken care of, but sometimes it’s fun to think of new ideas. There’s been plenty of times that I have just wanted to jump in the car and take a trip. Also, that is exactly just what I have done several times. I find that those spontaneous trips have been the most enjoyable in my experience.
Here are some fun ideas of places that I’ve personally been to and recommend:
- Drive to the Grand Canyon
- Camp in Utah at The Mexican Hat
- Experience the Redwoods
- Take the Golden Gate Bridge
- Go to a Florida beach in the winter (Pensacola, Daytona, Ft. Lauderdale)
- Drive through the Rio Grande National Forest
- Take a Route 66 road trip
- Check out the capital of Texas – Austin
- Explore Gatlinburg & The Great Smokey Mountains
- Swim with your border collie at Huntington Beach Dog Park
Go To The Beach
Explore A City
Hike Mountains
Places to stop along the way
There’s no need to rush so enjoy the drive and make some stops along the way. Border collies are super active, so for their sanity and yours it may be wise to stop every couple of hours for a car break. Driving through the United States, there is always going to be a good stopping point in between destinations.
Historical landmarks are usually pretty abundant and a great way to learn something. Of course, you can find plenty of rest areas to stop at too. I’ve even come across a few that have fenced in dog play areas. Make the stop a bit longer by planning ahead for a picnic. I keep lunch-meat and cheese on hand in my cooler for a meal on the road. My pup enjoys a little bit of it too.
If you are traveling with another passenger then ask them to look for upcoming parks that are easily accessible on a nearby exit. I’ve come across some really great public parks that offer lots of open space to run in. If there are no children present, then I like to practice obstacle courses on the playground. Of course, I wouldn’t do this if kids are around just in case they or their parents are scared of dogs.
Road trip border collie seat covers and comfort
When my husband and I first found our border collie, Baby, she hated car rides. There was no chance we were taking her anywhere far without a couple clean-ups in the backseat. This meant we had to pull over often, and we did a lot of laundry on old towels. At first, the towels spread out across the seat before we put her in was our only solution. After dealing with this for some time, we eventually came across this really awesome seat cover.
We found the backseat cover on Amazon and luckily decided to give it a try. This thing worked like a charm. It clips around the back two headrests and then the front two as well. This really helped our dog feel more secure and comforted. We call it her hammock. Unfortunately, we had a couple more times of her getting sick, but this purchase was a game changer for our road trips. Whenever there was an accident, you could just spray it off with a hose and it would be good as new. She ended up getting used to it and now won’t ride without it! I think what she likes is that she knows she won’t go flying anywhere. It keeps her snug in one spot, which I prefer as well for safety reasons.
I do still layer the “hammock” with two towels across. The reason is because we live in Texas and things get heated up really quickly! The backseat mat is all black, so as you can imagine it would be uncomfortable for her without the protection. The towels come in handy if we stop for a swim. When we go to the beach the sand can be a mess too but we can just throw the seat cover into the washing machine.
Before
After
So not only is the backseat mat convenient for Baby, but also for me too! It has two pockets sewn into the inner part. I use one to throw her leash in, the other holds a variety of things. I always keep a couple rolls of doggie bags, a water bowl, and a tennis ball in these handy pockets. They’re raised up high enough that it doesn’t interfere with her space or bother her at all.
What to bring on road trip with a border collie
When it comes time to choose what to bring with you on a road trip, things can get packed in really fast. So keep in mind that my suggestions are based on the amount of space you have available, but most of these items don’t require too much additional room.
Great way to keep your backseat clean while your dog is comfortable and safe.
Towels layered on the seat mat keeps the area clean. Try putting extras under the seat cover to save on space.
Pillows are great for you and your dog. Mine loves to take naps on one, while I use another as back support while traveling.
If a vest or leash break while miles from home, it’s a good idea to have a spare with you.
Bring proper medication for your pup, just because your daily schedule is different, doesn’t mean you should skip medication doses.
You can never have enough dog bags. The good news is that they don’t take up a lot of space. Be a good pet owner and clean up after yours. Nobody wants to accidentally step in it! Dog bags come in handy for a quick trash bag in the car or on the go too.
I put a toy in the car with my dog. I like to think it comforts her during the trip. It never fails that I end up with a handful of tennis balls too. They’re convenient to play with when you’re making stops. Make sure to pack all their favorites too for once you get settled in each night.
Keep treats handy to reward your dog for being so patient on the road. This will keep them wanting to travel more often. I also like to swing through a drive-thru occasionally for a plain hamburger.
Stock up on plenty of water to keep hydrated. It’s easy to forget that your collie hasn’t had access to any during the drive. Break out an extra water dish to have accessible during every stop. Sometimes my dog refuses to have any but I still feel better offering it.
Be sure to bring extra dog food in the event that your trip gets extended longer. You never know if you might feel like traveling more so it’s best to be over-prepared. I usually fill up a zip-lock bag or two and bring a few days extra along with me.
Where to stay on the road
Finding a place to stay is part of the fun. You get to stay somewhere other than your own bed. If you stay in a hotel then maybe you feel a bit pampered too. Camping can be a lot of fun, but it takes some planning beforehand. My fairly new found favorite type of place to stay in is through an Airbnb.
Airbnb
Staying in an Airbnb is a great opportunity to have a more unique experience while traveling. You are staying in someone’s home that they personally decorated. It’s a much larger option than the typical hotel plus it usually comes with a fully equipped kitchen!
When taking a road trip with a border collie, it’s super important to find accommodations that will allow your sweet pup to join you. This is why I love looking at Airbnb first before a hotel option. The app allows you to select specific criteria you want out of your stay, including pet friendly stays.
Usually, I can find plenty of options in my destination city that include room for my girl, Baby, to play. It’s really nice to be on the road all day and end up checking into your home rented on Airbnb with plenty of room to run and play. For the dog, that is. I personally love having separated rooms including a living room to relax or catch up on work.
Baby in Guanajuato, Mexico
My border collie, Baby, relaxing in our Airbnb. This was after traveling through Mexico from Puerto Vallarta to Guanajuato City.
Pro Tip- If you find a listing your interested in that doesn’t specifically specify if they allow pets, then send them a quick private message. I found several places to stay that actually were willing to allow my dog, especially once they found out her breed.
Camping
Camping is probably going to be your dogs first choice when it comes to accommodations. It certainly is for my road trip loving border collie. She loves all the swimming, hiking, and fetch involved. While my husband and I are setting up, she’s constantly bringing her tennis ball back and forth between the two of us. Camping while on your road trip can be so much fun, but It will involve a lot more planning.
First you have to decide where you want to stop to camp. Then, you will need to get there early to set up your site. Lastly, you will also need to be prepared with meal options. Once I have my campsite set up, I don’t want to bother with looking elsewhere for dinner. So, if you are like me, then you will need to think about this ahead of time. Be sure to bring a treat (hot-dog, hamburger, potato) for your road companion to roast over the open fire as well!
Camping equipment takes up a lot of space. Once you account for the tent, sleeping bags, pillows, firewood, and any other necessities then you will notice how much space this is going to fill in your vehicle. Personally, I think it’s worth giving up the extra room to be able to enjoy some outdoors. Although, I only ever travel with my husband and our border collie. If we had children or other passengers then I may have a different opinion when it comes to all that valuable cargo space.
Pro Tip- Check out The Bureau Of Land Management (public land). We have stayed in several different locations. Freecampsites.net lists a lot of really great camping sites all over the country. The map highlights low cost or free sites and amenities offered. Many other campers take the time to review the campsites as well.
Hotel
Staying in a hotel during your road trip is going to be the most convenient option. There is certainly no lack of hotels throughout the country. You can pull off on every major highway and in every major city to find several options available.
A hotel stay during your road trip provides you with a warm bed, television service and modern amenities. Some even offer nice breakfast choices in the morning. This is of course if you are up and moving around in time. As some tend to cut off breakfast service by 9 am.
Looking for a hotel to stay in should be a breeze, especially with all the discount apps that help with the process. Finding a hotel that allows your sweet, fun-loving border collie is a completely different process. Most hotels that even allow a dog, require a mandatory nightly fee. This can be especially frustrating when you realize you have a great rate on a room, only to realize they charge a ridiculous amount extra for your pup. Some as high as $100 more non-refundable.
There are a few hotels that will allow pets to stay free. Keep in mind it’s not an impossible task so long as you know where to look. I have been all over the country with my collie and have found the below list to be the most consistent with their no fee policies. I have found a few others here and there with low or no fees but those are just a case by case scenario.
No Pet Fee Hotels
- La Quinta
- Kimpton Hotels
- Red Roof Inn
- Aloft Hotels
- Motel 6
Pro Tip- Consider getting your border collie trained as a service animal or an emotional support dog. This can take away mandatory hotel pet fees.
Find ways throughout the trip to exercise your border collie
Being a border collie owner, you realize that they require a lot of exercise daily. If you haven’t picked out your perfect pet yet, then find out how much exercise they require. Collies are always looking for something fun to do to entertain themselves. I like to contribute to these needs by making sure I find ways to incorporate exercise throughout the trip.
As mentioned before, lots of stops along the road are highly encouraged. Once you get to your destination, try finding activities that keep everyone on the trip occupied, doggie included
Walk The City
I try to do this as much as possible when I am exploring a place new, which is quite often. Walk around the city to really get a better vibe. I take my dog with me and she just loves sniffing and checking out new places as well. Driving around is convenient, but I feel like you miss a lot that route. Take a few different walks while you are in town and you may even find pet-friendly local shops or restaurants along the way.
Play Fetch
Once you get settled in from your adventure on the road, try finding a way to work in a game of fetch. This can be played indoors or outdoors, but it’ll tire out your dog more if you find some place outside. When staying in a hotel, this can be a bit tricky. Often times I’m able to find a little side yard with enough running space for a quick round of fetch.
Explore Local Parks
Checking out parks on your road trip can be a lot of fun. You never know what you are going to find. There may even be an off-leash dog park that would make a great additional stop on your itinerary. I’ve come across some of the most beautiful state parks while traveling. These type of parks are terrific for camping or adding an additional day of fun. Typically there’s plenty to do, such as fishing, boating, hiking, and having a picnic.
Go Swimming
If the weather is nice then find a swimming hole for your border collie. Mine personally loves anytime we find a lake that she can hop in for a swim. She’s a great swimmer and loves it, but she prefers if we get a ball out for her to swim after and bring back. If you’re taking a beach trip then you won’t need to look for other exercise outlets. My girl gets extremely worn out fighting through the waves, but she does love every second of it!
Make sure they're up-to-date on medicine
Making sure your road trip companion is up to date on their medicine can be easily overlooked. However, this is extremely important. Rabies vaccination shots are typically administered once a year, depending on your city or state. This means you should be all set on those. If for some reason you are not, then take care of this as soon as possible.
Flea medicine is an absolute necessity prior to traveling. Your road trip border collie is going to be heading into all new territory. He or she will possibly be around other dogs and staying in unknown places. It’s best to be proactive by making sure your pet has their flea treatment before they get fleas. This route will make sure they do not get fleas somehow. I wish I could say that every hotel I have been to has been amazing. Some are very clean, while others were not quite up to my standards on cleanliness. I have also encountered fleas in a hotel room throughout my travels. Luckily, like I advise, my border collie already had her flea treatment and she didn’t bring home any of those unwanted critters.
Heart-worm medicine should be prescribed once a month. If you know you’ll be gone during this window of time, then be sure to bring it with you. Also, many dogs require additional medication based on their health. Don’t forget to administer proper dosage before leaving. If you need to bring it with you, then set a reminder on your phone. Often times while taking a trip it’s easy to forget dates or daily routines. The best way to stay on top of this is to set reminders before you embark on your next road trip journey with your border collie.
Go fill up your gas tank
So now you have all the information you need to enjoy a road trip with your border collie. Even if it’s not a far away destination, these are great ways to socialize your puppy. So load up the car, strap in the hammock, and don’t forget the camera. Your next road trip with your collie is sure to produce many lasting memories.