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!!!!