Orbitz has released a ranking of the “seven most pet-friendly trips to plan this summer.”
They’re featured on a new road trip map. Among them are Beast Coast (New York to Boston), Paw-cific Northwest (Portland to Seattle) and the Southwest National Barks Tour (Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park).
The Chicago-based travel fare website based the ranking on photo-worthy road trip attractions, outdoor activities, pet-friendly lodging and bars and restaurants in geographically diverse regions of the U.S. Points of interest are marked every 100 miles or less and are available for download in Google Maps.
“There’s a road trip for every kind of dog and dog owner,” said Dan Schachner, Animal Planet host, announcer and annual “rufferee” of the Puppy Bowl. “Routes with off-leash parks, hiking trails and open play areas are great for active dogs. More passive dogs might enjoy an urban adventure with dog-friendly hotels and minimal walking.”
According to a recent online travel survey from Orbitz, 77% of vacationers are planning to take their pets on a road trip this summer. Visiting dog parks (20%) and taking selfies at tourist attractions (21%) are at the top of their to-do list.
Other findings from the survey, which included 2,000 U.S. travelers:
- 51% of travelers want to road trip with their pet in a SUV or van; 15% prefer a pickup for off-road adventures.
- 12% would choose to road trip with their pets over friends, family, children or significant others.
- Travelers are torn between taking their pets on a road trip to the mountains (24%) or beach (23%).
- Half of pet parents said the #1 thing they want to do with their pet on a road trip is drive with the windows down on the open road.
- The road trip movie most travelers would like to recreate with their pets is National Lampoon’s Vacation (43%) followed by Little Miss Sunshine (21%) and Dumb and Dumber (19%).