The 8 Best U.S. Road Trips to Take With Your Dog
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No matter what time of year it is, jumping in the car for a road trip can make for some of the most memorable travel moments. But if you’ve got a canine companion, choosing to take a long drive can be one of the best ways to get on a vacation with your furry friend. After all, the ease of jumping into your own vehicle is a leg up—or four—on taking any other kind of getaway with your pup that involves boarding a train or plane. Having the freedom to chart your own course, make your own schedule, and pull over for a game of catch whenever you want arguably makes it the easiest way to travel together. Read on to see which road trips in the U.S. experts say are the best to take with your dog.
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Whether it’s built by habit or happens by luck, humans tend to have a lot in common with their pets. Fortunately, this can be a huge help when selecting travel destinations.
“There are few things in this world that bring such mutual, primal joy to humans and canines alike as the ocean,” Adam Marland , travel writer and photographer for We Dream of Travel , tells Best Life . “There is something about having your feet (or paws!) in the sand and tasting that salty air that just makes you feel alive.”
“Highway 101 traces the Oregon coast from border to border, providing jaw-dropping scenery adorned with monolithic sea stacks, tide pools, unspoiled wilderness, and plenty of assorted natural wonders,” he says. “What’s more, nearly the entire coastline offers state or local parks with camping and facilities, making it the perfect place to road trip without an itinerary.”
And there’s no reason your pet can’t enjoy themselves, too. “Dogs are allowed anywhere on the beach, so you never have to worry about bringing your faithful companion along for a walk,” Marland adds.
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Stunning mountain vistas and wide open spaces can work wonders on the human psyche. But according to experts, it can be just as enlightening for your dog to enjoy the same settings along with you during a road trip. That’s where a drive through Montana can come in handy.
“The Beartooth Highway, which runs 68 miles between Cooke City and Red Lodge in Montana, travels through some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery,” Erin Mastopietro , owner and founder of Dope Dog , tells Best Life . “Twenty peaks that reach above 12,000 feet are passed along this road, one of the highest in the lower 48 states.”
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Sometimes, taking a trip with your pet is as much about getting them into nature as it is about finding a place that welcomes them into top-notch human establishments, as well. Lake Tahoe provides the perfect blend of an outdoor getaway with plenty of town-based activities that both of you can enjoy.
“Just a 90-minute drive from Sacramento and a 3.5-hour drive from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe is located in the Sierra Nevada and makes the perfect Northern California road trip to take with your dog,” Gigi Chow , co-owner and operator of dog travel website Wet Nose Escapades, tells Best Life . “With an abundance of outdoor adventures and gorgeous scenery, it’s also a fantastic dog-friendly destination.”
“From dog parks to dog-friendly shopping areas (like The Shops at Heavenly Village) to dog-friendly live music venues, you’ll never fall short of fun activities to do with your pet. Although you can’t bring your dog inside the casinos here, there are plenty of eateries and breweries with dog-friendly seating,” she says. “There are also perfect scenic hikes for you and your dog—including Lake of the Sky Trail, Mt. Tallac, Tahoe Rim Trail—and beaches where canines are allowed, like Kiva Beach, Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach, North Zephyr Cove Beach, Fallen Leaf Lake. You can even kayak with your dog around the beautiful blue water.”
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The Pacific Northwest is a paradise for outdoor lovers, no matter what species they happen to be. And in Washington State, one day trip popular with humans is sure to be a hit for any canine copilots.
“A road trip that combines Seattle and the San Juan Islands is a great choice to take with your four-legged friend,” Larry Snider , vice president of operations of Casago Vacation Rentals , tells Best Life . “From Seattle, you’ll drive about 80 miles to Anacortes, Washington, where ferries depart for the San Juan islands. There are lovely parks to explore here before you even board the ferry. Then, hop on the ferry (with your car!) and head to Orcas Island. Dogs ride free on the ferry and will have a blast with this new experience. Once there, you can hike, swim, and adventure around.”
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Idaho offers plenty of wide-open spaces that make for epic drives. But if you’re looking to break up the landscape, one natural landmark makes for a beautiful dog-friendly destination.
“One of the best road trips to take with your furry friend is through Idaho’s Lake Coeur d’Alene,” Nick Mueller , travel expert and director of operations of HawaiianIslands.com, tells Best Life . “The beautiful body of water unfolds over 26 miles with more than 135 miles of shoreline. You can take scenic boat tours and hike on pet-friendly trails during your time here. It’s a gorgeous way to spend time with your pup!”
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Seeing the Grand Canyon tops many peoples’ bucket lists for a reason: The epic views and sprawling grandeur are breathtaking. But if dogs could make bucket lists of their own, experts say they’d probably put it on theirs, too.
“Which outdoorsy dog wouldn’t want to accompany you to the Grand Canyon?” says Jenny Ly , travel blogger and founder of Go Wanderly . “You’ll see several national forests along the steep road. Go to Colorado’s White River National Forest to explore the Flat Tops Wilderness, where your dog is free to roam. Alternately, travel south through the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests, stopping for a stroll. Keep your dog on a leash and stay on the South and North rim pet-friendly trails when visiting the Grand Canyon to ensure you follow all park regulations.”
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There are plenty of perks for people who want to visit Niagara Falls. Besides the genuinely breathtaking natural wonder, there’s also plenty to see and do in the surrounding area on both the Canadian and American sides of the border. And if you happen to bring your dog along as you finally check seeing the Falls off your to-do list, there’s a good chance they’ll enjoy themselves as well.
“A road trip to Niagara Falls should be on every dog owner’s list,” Sherry Arkfeld , author of Digital Nomad and a Dog , tells Best Life . “The state park is very dog friendly and a great place for dogs to explore. There are many restaurants nearby that allow dogs on the patios. My dog didn’t appreciate the waterfalls too much, but she sure did enjoy the park. You can also walk over to Goat Island and Three Sisters Island for more views for you and more things for your dog to sniff.”
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If you want to get the most out of enjoying the outdoors with your pet, it’s best to consider the places where they’ll be welcome. Fortunately, Utah’s vast wilderness provides plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the sights with your dog.
“I highly recommend a road trip with your dog to/from St. George and Moab, Utah,” Whitney Woolstenhulme , founder of dog grooming website DoodleDoods , tells Best Life . “Nearly the whole geographical area between these two locations is comprised of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, which is public space that can be used for all kinds of dog-friendly recreational activities. For example, you can dry camp in a tent or RV for free, explore a variety of beautiful terrain, including slot canyons, you can use your ATVs or mountain bikes, and go rock climbing. And of course, you can legally let the dogs run wild and free to their heart’s content.”
Just make sure you pick the right season for your drive. “The best time to embark on such a road trip is in spring or fall when daytime temperatures are bearable, and it’s not terribly cold at night,” she suggests.
The 10 Best Audiobooks for Your Next Road Trip
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Packing up the car and heading out on a road trip is a rite of passage. Many of us remember our first road trip as a kid, when we loaded up our suitcases to venture out toward a new destination. Maybe you also hit the road with friends after college, or have taken your kids on a road trip of their own, seeing the sites or exploring different national parks . But if you’re spending hours in the car—no matter who you’re with—you need something to pass the time. Music and podcast episodes can only cover so many miles, which is why you might be in the market for an audiobook.
According to Hayley Yager , bookstagrammer and blogger of Backpacking Bookworm , there are a few key factors that go into selecting the right audiobook for a road trip. To maximize your listening experience, she recommends looking for “engaging and authentic narrators,” who will keep your attention. Second, consider the genres or types of books you’re most interested in. Podcast-lovers might prefer a non-fiction pick, and if you’ve always wanted to learn about some historical or contemporary figure, a biography or memoir could be a great option. Fiction is also a great option, and you’ll find a plethora of different stories that you can immerse yourself in on a long drive.
If you’re having trouble making the right call, travel experts and book bloggers have recommended some of their top audiobook choices, which you can either purchase or borrow from your local library. Read on to find out what you should be listening to while on the road.
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Anything by renowned nonfiction author Bill Bryson is worth a read or a listen. He writes about complex concepts—including the intricacies of the human body and the history of the universe—but does so in an accessible, often comical way. Of Bryson’s many worthy reads, Anthony Presti , travel writer of ValueQuack, recommends The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America .
“Follow Bill on his cross-country road trip in the United States. From the backwoods of Kentucky to the badlands of South Dakota, Bryson covers it all in this hilarious account of his journey,” Presti says.
Bryson travels across 38 states in total over the course of the travelogue, as he searches for the perfect small American town—and you’ll be waiting to see if he finds it. “If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud book to listen to on your road trip, this is the one for you,” Presti says. “It is one of the funniest books you’ll ever read, whether at home or on the road.”
Random House Audio
If you love a good modern mystery, The Flight Attendant is a solid choice for your next road trip. Full of suspense, this story follows Cassie, a binge drinker who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. It’s also been turned into a popular show on HBO Max, so you can engage in the age-old debate of book versus TV series when you’re done listening.
“Why not infuse a little ‘travel talk’ into your travels? With the release of the new HBO show based on this novel, I wanted to give the book a try before watching it,” Bryan Mullennix , founder of the travel website Feeling Vegas, explains. “It’s a suspenseful novel and makes for a good road trip audiobook because of how it is written and also the fact that it kind of relates to travel.”
This audiobook has three narrators, meaning you’ll hear different voices for different characters in this chilling and thrilling read. Looking for something even darker? You might want to opt for Yager’s thriller pick, The Night Swim by Megan Goldin .
Macmillan Audio
If you just want to be transported to another world, let TJ Klune take you there by listening to Under T he Whispering Door . Klune has quickly become a mainstay in the fantasy genre, often featuring LGBTQ+ characters. Under The Whispering Door also adds a splash of romance, humor, and some more intense themes of grief and loss.
John Hubbard , founder and CEO of the outdoor blog Urban Dare, recommends Under The Whispering Door if you want something that will truly keep your attention. “The audiobook gives you all types of feeling with every character’s unique and suitable voice,” he explains, adding that Kirt Graves , a well known audiobook reader and audio producer, narrates. “It provides a great message from life and love to death with its lovable characters.”
Hubbard recommends this for a long drive, “as it will take some time to understand the deep questions Klune’s tale poses throughout.” The audiobook has a listening length of 14 hours and 54 minutes, so it’ll get you through a good stretch of your trip. “Some listeners might find the audiobook a bit slow at the start,” he notes. “It is better to listen at 1.5 speed until you begin to understand the plot of the story.”
Random House Audio
If you’re choosing a memoir for a long-haul drive, Yager recommends selecting one that is recorded by the author. “In my experience, stories are brought more to life when read by the person who knows the book better than anyone,” she tells Best Life , suggesting Becoming by Michelle Obama as a notable choice.
The former First Lady narrates her memoir, discussing her childhood all the way through her time in the White House and after. You’ll feel connected to Obama when listening to her tell her story, and if you needed any more convincing, she won the 2020 Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for her audio edition of the book.
If you’ve already checked Becoming off of your reading list—it was, after all, the best-selling book of 2018—Presti also recommends Barack Obama’s 2020 memoir A Promised Land . “It chronicles his upbringing, his time in office, and the challenges he faced throughout his presidency,” he says. “It’s an inspiring story that will leave you feeling hopeful and motivated—perfect for a road trip where anything can happen.”
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One of the most beloved series of all time centers on a young wizard named Harry Potter. The stories have captivated young and old readers alike since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was first published in 1997. Presti recommends this audiobook for your next trip on the open road, especially if you’ve got your kids in tow.
“If you’re looking for a book the whole family can enjoy on your road trip, look no further than Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ,” he explains. “With its magic, adventure, and suspense, this book is sure to keep everyone entertained on a long car ride.”
As The Sorcerer’s Stone is the first installment in the seven-part series, you might also want to bring Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets along as well, just in case the kids (or you) can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Macmillan Audio
While you can’t watch a rom-com while you’re driving, you can certainly listen to one. Yager recommends The Switch , which is set in the U.K. and features a plot line that might remind you a little of the movie The Holiday . The story focuses on a newly-single grandmother looking for love in the rural town of Yorkshire and her granddaughter, who has become exhausted by life in London. The two decide to switch places, and drama, romance, and comedy ensue.
The audiobook is read by two English actors, Daisy Edgar-Jones , of Normal People and Where the Crawdads Sing , and Alison Steadman , award-winning stage, film, and television star.
“This is an easy and light listen with two celebrity narrators, which evokes familiarity,” Yager says. “The chapters are the perfect length, enabling you to get invested in one storyline before moving on to the next when the narrators switch.”
You can listen to this 10-hour audiobook on a longer drive, but Yager notes that you can also “dip in and out for shorter trips.”
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Random House Audio
Some stories are classics for a reason, and even if you haven’t picked up a copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy , odds are you’ve heard of it. First published in 1979, it was adapted from author Douglas Adams’ radio series and follows the journey of the only man to survive after earth is destroyed.
“Full of laughs, science fiction, and awesome ’70s and ’80s references, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the perfect audiobook for a road trip,” Tim White , CEO and founder of the travel site MilePro, says. This pick is more “lighthearted,” he adds, making it a good choice for those who don’t want an audiobook that’s too intense.
The book is just under six hours long, White points out, making it optimal for shorter journeys. It’s also narrated by English actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry , so you might recognize a familiar voice.
Harlequin Audio
Another one of Yager’s fiction picks is The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman , which has all the necessary components of a family comedy—think Little Miss Sunshine with a twist.
“This is the perfect road trip listen as the book itself revolves around a family taking a detour-heavy road trip up to Edinburgh so 12-year-old Norman can perform at the Fringe,” she says.
For those unfamiliar with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, it’s the largest arts festival in the world, dating back to 1947. In this contemporary fiction novel, young Norman is hoping to take his comedy act to center stage at the event. “It’s an absolute rollercoaster of one hilarious feat after another, yet still manages to retain every ounce of authenticity,” Yager says. “It’s a feel-good book that anyone can enjoy, making it perfect for a long road trip.”
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For those who want an audiobook that is chock-full of different stories, check out David Sedaris’ When You Are Engulfed in Flames .
“If you’re looking for a more introspective, thought-provoking read, When You Are Engulfed in Flames is the book for you,” Presti tells Best Life .
Sedaris narrates the audiobook himself, and you’re sure to be entertained by his wit as he covers topics that range from ridiculous to deeply insightful. “It’s a hilarious and poignant look at the human condition that will have you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading,” Presti says. “Follow as David travels the world and tries to make sense of it all.”
Random House Audio
Ernest Cline’s fantastic 2011 novel Ready Player One is a must-read—or listen, in this case—for anyone interested in gaming, virtual reality, or just science fiction in general.
“If you’re looking for a lighthearted, fun book to keep you entertained on a road trip, look no further than Ready Player One ,” Presti says. “This science fiction novel follows the story of Wade Watts, a teenager who finds himself thrust into a virtual world in search of an Easter egg that will grant its finder ultimate power and control over the world. Along the way, he makes allies and enemies as he fights to be the first to find the egg.”
The novel has also been adapted into a film directed by Steven Spielberg , but the book has significant differences. S0, even if you’ve seen the movie, you should still give the book a go. “It will have you laughing, crying, and cheering—the perfect way to pass the time on a long car ride,” Presti says.
