Planning the Big Drive

One of my companions on the journey, my 6-year-old Yellow Lab Sam. Hopefully she will enjoy the ride...
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Just how do you plan a 3000-mile (4793 km) road trip with an 86-pound/39 kg yellow lab and an 8-pound cat?  There have been as many logistics involved with this task as there were when planning for my walk across Spain last summer.

Together the two pets weigh less than I, but they each account for about twice the baggage.  Of course, I have the luxury of eating in restaurants, and don't usually carry around a 20-pound bag of Human Food, convenient as that might be.

A cooler, a suitcase and an i-Pod

My feline companion Sheba is only 8 pounds, much lighter than Sam the dog. And, if traveling across the country with a black cat isn't tempting fate, I don't know what is!
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And then, there are accommodations to locate along the way.  "Pet-friendly" is the key word.  But, often, pet-friendly means human UN-friendly, so I am trying to split the difference.  So far I have booked a cabin in Kentucky http://www.elizabethtowncrossroadscampgroundky.com/1.html and another along the Spring River in Arkansas http://www.3riversoutfitters.com/

I booked an actual pet kennel for the 4 days in Texas for the wedding, and two pet-friendly lodging establishments afterwards, in both Texas http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lbbts-towneplace-suites-lubbock/ and New Mexico http://www.casaescondida.com/

Our transport for the journey, a 2006 Honda Accord. Normal mileage, 25 mpg. Hopefully, the Big Drive will improve that statistic!
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That will get me to Colorado, though I still have to book places for the return trip.  Kansas recommendations welcome!

Some of my dog supplies are a dog car hammock, dog harness, and a lightweight "pop-up" kennel (for relaxing or sleeping in after a long drive.) http://www.precious-pets-paradise.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GPP-BACK-SEAT-HAMMOCK-DOG-CAR-SAFETY-SEAT&Category_Code=DOG-CAR-SEATS&Store_Code=PPP

http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=14

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5192527

Sheba the cat has her accessories too:  a couple of disposable "green" litter boxes http://www.petco.com/shop/product.aspx?familyid=9960&cm_ven=ShopZilla&cm_cat=Cat&cm_pla=WonderBox&cm_ite=770272

Feline Pine litter (another "green" product) http://www.naturesearth.com/ and (horrors!) a tiny harness and leash, probably meant for small pups, to satisfy the leash requirements of some of our pet-friendly establishments.

Me?  A cooler, a suitcase and an i-Pod, and I'm ready to drive! Tennis racquet and hiking day pack are stowed for use after arrival. Oh, an those wedding clothes will have to go somewhere.  Will my car be big enough?

The car is a Honda Accord, all tuned up and ready to roll. Hopefully I'll get good mileage along the way.  It will be interesting to see what a gallon of gas costs along the route.

Off we go!!