Fort Lauderdale to Denver road trip with dog + flexible schedule - sanity check?
I’m moving from Fort Lauderdale to the Denver/Broomfield area in late May with my 18-year-old son and my Australian Shepherd. We’re driving because I’m not putting the dog in cargo, and I also have some sleep issues that make flying/moving logistics harder than normal.
Current route plan is roughly:
I-75 north through Florida
-> I-10 west across the Panhandle
-> US-49 north
-> I-40 west
-> I-135 north
-> I-70 west into Colorado
Apple Maps actually suggested this inland route instead of forcing us all the way through Texas, and after digging into it, it seems like a good balance between avoiding giant metro traffic and keeping the drive straightforward.
Main thing I’m trying to figure out now is lodging strategy.
We’re intentionally NOT pre-booking hotels because my sleep can be unpredictable, so we’ll basically drive until we feel done for the day, then book something dog-friendly 60–90 mins ahead. I also usually sleep with THC, as I am a medical card holder in FL. But given that I need to cross state lines here, I will be raw dogging my sleep attempts without it.
Current idea is:
- prioritize quieter chains like Residence Inn / TownePlace / Hampton Inn
- call directly and ask for quieter rooms away from elevators/high foot traffic
- use BringFido + Google Maps
- try to keep driving days flexible instead of rigid
One complication: my Aussie is great overall, but he alerts/barks at hallway noises at night, so I’m trying to figure out whether people have had better luck with:
- interior hallway hotels
- exterior entry motels
- extended stay chains
- Air bnbs etc.
Would appreciate any:
- route sanity checks
- dog travel advice
- hotel chain recommendations
- “things you wish you knew before a long move like this” input.
Thanks!