Where to stay overnight with pets enroute to The Villages
 

My husband and I are so excited to be making our move to TV in a few weeks. Can't wait to meet ya'll and make some friends. One big concern is that we are traveling with our pets and will need to stay someplace along rte 95 on our way down from the NorthEast. Any recommendations for pet-friendly places in the Carolinas would be most appreciated! TYIA

It really depends on how far you're going to drive. On the way south we've stayed in Rocky Mount, NC, Dunn, NC, Lumberton, NC and Florence, SC. We've been trying to get farther south each time. When staying in Florence there are numerous hotels right off I95 and several that are pet friendly. We've been staying in Comfort Suites in Florence as they are very clean and the pet fee isn't exorbitant. There is also a Mellow Mushroom restaurant that is pet-friendly where we can sit outside and not have to leave the dog in the hotel room. The best website to do your planning is bringfido.com. Good luck on the drive.

LaQuintas are pet friendly and most Best Westerns are also pet friendly. We have found that those two are the nicest pet friendly options, but it varies from place to place. Avoid all the cheaper motels like Red Roofs or Motel 6, they are dumps. A few years ago many places allowed a dog to stay for free, but now just about every place has an up charge fee of anywhere from $15 - $50. We no longer take 95 until hitting it deep into South Carolina as we prefer going 84 to 81 to 77 to 26, however, we used to like staying at the Sure Stay Best Western in Manning South Carolina (OK room with nice big field to play ball/frisbee with the pup). Safe Travels : )

If you have a cat(s) be careful. They find some difficult spots to hide. On more than one occasion we had to remove a mattress to locate the feline. Another time there was an unseen hiding spot behind/under a desk, and we finally called Maintenance; he knew exactly where to look.

When we drive down (over two days), we stop in Florence, SC. It's about 1/2 way from the DC area.

We stay at the Comfort Suites, just off 95. Pet friendly.

Comfort Suites Florence I-95
2120 West Lucas Street, Florence, SC, 29501, US
(843) 662-5295

Clean, friendly, free breakfast. Last time we stayed (January, 2023), there was no charge for our pup...

Oh, and there's a Buc-ee's an exit or two before you get there... :icon_hungry:

If none of those work out, the huge travel search sites have a filter for pet allowed lodging.

We have reservations on Wednesday night, at our halfway point from Western Massachusetts, at a Quality Inn in Christiansburg, VA. It’s not the nicest place, but it’s almost exactly halfway, pet friendly, reasonably priced, we can back the truck right up to the door to our room, there is an ice machine, and a decent place to walk the dog. We basically have our dinner (which is already packed in our cooler), take a walk, watch TV for a little while, and crash. In the AM, we basically get up, take a quick shower, and hit the road. No need for anything fancy. Can’t wait to get back inside the bubble : )

Drury Inn is clean allows pets for $25-35 a night, plus room. Definitely prefer over red roof or budget

We stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites on Woody Jones Boulevard, I think it's the next exit. Lots of restaurants and there's also a Dunkin about 3/4 of a mile from the hotel. We were going to head down this Saturday but the weather looks like rain, so it looks like we may be leaving Friday instead.

It's a beautiful ride, both kids went to VT so we know that route well. I just don't like to do the extra miles. And it's two lanes and there are a LOT of trucks.

Drury Inns are fabulous!! Provide a buffet each evening...terrific breakfast buffet each morning! Staff are engaging...buildings are bright and clean...reasonable price and welcome pets.

Here are two web sites that will help

Just a moment...

Just a moment...

Use the internet
 

Go to the Yelp site. See what past travelers say about pet friendly motels. It is helpful. Good luck and safe trip.

Any LaQuinta motel. They are pet friendly, and I believe there is still no extra fee.

Download BringFido app. We used it when traveling. Identifies pet friendly hotels in all area with search. Works Great!!!!

y'all?? aren't you from the south? Northerners don't say y'all

Sleep Inn is my fave, but not sure they have them in the Carolinas.

I would recommend you download the App “iExit” in the Apple App Store! It will give you information on nearly every motel, gas station, and restaurant at every exit on the all Interstate Highways in the country. You can use the App to plan your trip as well as along the way!

Where To Stay
 

We use the app BringFido when we travel. It gives you pet friendly hotels, restaurants, etc. Lists fees, etc.

All La Quintas allow pets no number restrictions.

I’ve been traveling with 2 dogs finally found and recommend website bringfido.com.

I find this app invaluable when we travel.

Driving up & down I 95, we've been relying on the Hilton Home 2 Suites chain. They allow dogs for an extra $75 or so. Be sure to check the cost. Since we are up & down I 95 regularly, we joined their club, free to join, & have gotten a few nights free as our points added up. They provide a free breakfast too, somewhat variable in quality & selection but enough to get you on the road in the morning. GREAT COFFEE, consistently. Room to walk to walk your dog & free poop bags. Wow. : )

Home2Suites every time for us!

Drury Inns
 

Drury Inns are great; they also have complimentary happy hour & food and continental breakfast for adults.

LaQuinta Inn is a hotel group that caters to travelers with pets, and does not routinely consign them to the worst rooms at the highest prices. Otherwise, Hilton will gladly accommodate you with a slightly dirty room for an additional $75 a night in pet fees.

We just made the move from NY. You will have to make it down to South Carolina. They don't allow pets in North Carolina hotels. We stayed in the Red Roof Inn in Dillon South Carolina just over the border. Not the cleanest but we just crashed for a couple of hours and got back on the road.

most motel 6's take pets. it'a a basic room, nothing fancy, but i use them whenever making long journeys with the pets. they have a dog walking area, too

WELCOME HOME! keep us posted on your travels & where you did decide to stay.

I've got a lot of relatives from the Winter Haven area and I'm a quick study! LOL

Bless Your Heart... :D

My wife calls them "IKEA show rooms..." :1rotfl:

If your coming from the northeast, we're from Scranton, try taking 95 to 295 to 10 west then 75 south and get off at the Ocala exit and follow signs. Been doing this for 20 years its the easiest and fastest way th go.

You can also download the Bring Fido app to your phone from Google Play Store; very handy.
Drury Inns are excellent for travelers with pets. We stayed in one near Atlanta and had a wonderful evening buffet. Of course, pets not allowed in dining room, but they had a few tables in the lobby area and we were welcome to take our plates there and sit with our 'furbaby.'

Simply google pet friendly hotels along your chosen route

Why do people write books in replies? The answer is Comfort Suites The Villages (City of Lady Lake) or N from The Villages save money and short drive up 441 to Holiday Inn Express Silver Springs. Or save money S down 441 from The Villages, Comfort Suites Tavares. All my alternatives are short drives and you see what is nearby.

Why do people answer questions that were never asked in their replies?

The question was where are some pet friendly places "along rte 95 on our way down from the NorthEast..."

Not where are pet friendly hotels in/near TV...

Traveling with Kitties???
 

If your pets include cats, two things are necessary when you travel with them. . . . a yardstick and a squirt bottle. You will definitely have to ferret them out of someplace and the only way to do it is with those two items. I guess I don't have to tell you that you need to be VERY careful when you open the door to go out of the room.

Good luck and happy travels![/FONT]

lmao!