There’s no better time to load up the car and hit the road for a good, old-fashioned trip with your fur family. Dogs love scenic drives and we have a few you’re sure to love. From coastal retreats, mountain expeditions or a relaxing drive through the plains, we’ve got the route perfect for you both.
BIG SKY COUNTRY – MONTANA
Open lands are a pup’s paradise with hiking, camping and swimming spots just waiting to be explored. Reaching from the southern many tip of Baja California to the top of Olympic peninsula in Washington State, these 500 miles are unlike anywhere else in the country. Whether you choose a section of the PCH or drive it all, there are usually plenty of destinations you and your pup will fall in love with.
CALIFORNIA COASTAL HIGHWAY – THE PCH
“The 1”, nicknamed the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), is one of America’s most famous highways. Start in Missoula, MT full of dog-friendly restaurants and lodging. Venture north to Flathead National Forest where you can enjoy playtime canoeing around Flathead Lake. Keep traveling north to Glacier National Park to one of this nation’s most beautiful roads, the Sun Road. This road is open seasonally so plan ahead and keep in mind that dogs are not allowed off leash in the park.
ROUTE 66
This iconic highway holds so much American history to explore. There are plenty of dog-friendly landmarks to see like the Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas and along the Texas New Mexico border you’ll find the forgotten ghost town of Glenrio. Don’t miss the Petrified Forest State Park in Arizona and the world’s best preserved meteorite impact site on earth in Winslow, Arizona. Plan ahead if you wish to visit the meteor site as pets aren’t allowed in the discovery center.
THE GREAT LAKES
Start your adventure in the “Windy City.” Dog-friendly neighborhoods and parks certainly are a great way to spend sunny days. Head East and wind your way around the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan. Explore state parks, dunes and beautiful shoreline. Travel further north in Michigan and look for Highway 31. This beautiful road winds you north along the lake all the way to Traverse City and Mackinaw City.
NEW ENGLAND CHARM
There are many beautiful routes to choose from in the New England area. Check out the Paw House Inn, a farm country inn that caters to dogs and their owners or Acadia National Park in Maine that is perfect for watching wildlife and exploring. Whether you select the quaint towns of Vermont or New Hampshire, or the more bustling villages of Connecticut and its shoreline, you’re sure to find the perfect trip that you and your dog will both enjoy.