Traveling with Charlie Alone

Well I doubt you will have to deal with the heat which is good lol. That's really the major concern. IMO you stop at a nice crowded place with plenty of folks milling about...you get out and crack a window and lock your car....take your keys tho lol.
 
You go do what you need to and then return...walk the pup....load up and go. That's what I would do at any rate.
 
Are your car windows tinted? That always helps...if you're worried about people taking the dog. If you potty him after yourself peope won't even know there's a dog there UNTIL you return and walk him, then you are going to be loading him up and taking off. So at no time would he be there, known to be there...alone and vulnerable.
 

Yes, my biggest concern is someone taking him.  Interstate rest areas creep me out to begin with and leaving him alone in the car even for 5 minutes on I-94 worries me.  Because I will be traveling through some not so populated areas, I am just worried about safety in general for both us.  However, I wouldn't let DH know this otherwise he wouldn't let me go alone []
 
Yes, the windows are tinted in the back and duh, I completely didn't even think about me going for my break first, then him.  That is the perfect solution since I will have to go more than him.  []  I swear, I don't know where my brain is anymore.
 
Thanks!

Babies eat braincells....little known but all true fact []

Oh I forgot...you could use our Map to find I doggers houses spaced every 2 hours and use THEIR potty hahaha!

What kind of dog do you have? If it is just Rory and I we stop at rest stops becuse I bring her with me in the restroom to potty, people dont seem to mind and it gives me peace of mind however she is 63lbs and maybe if I had a toy soemthing or toehr I wouldnt feel as safe, he he! Otherwise stop at a very busy gas station, starbucks or something of that nature. Good luck and have a safe trip!

Although a lot of people don't like rest stops, I use them quite frequently.  I know it's a bit different because I'm a guy and I'm not pregnant...but most of the rest stops I've been to I've seen police patrolling.  If it is light when you go, drive through the rest stop area and if you are uncomfortable just merge back onto the highway. 

Also look for huge truck stop areas, the kinds that have signs 40-50 miles before you get there.  These places are usually very big and very populated, especially around meal times.  The larger truck stop areas have convenience stores, diners and gas as well as restrooms and dog walking areas.

The next best thing is fast food restaurants.  These are usually well lit and populated. 

Hope that helps you out some.

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Oh I forgot...you could use our Map to find I doggers houses spaced every 2 hours and use THEIR potty hahaha!

 
Hey if it came down to it you know we'd all have our doors open!

Thanks for the suggestions!!  You guys are so great!
 
Charlie is a beagle and is 6 months old and 15 lbs. so I could always keep him in his crate (very easily carriable) and we could just go in the bigger stall together (outside of the crate I am worried about trying to contain him while trying to maneuver in the stall - with my luck he will get away from me under the stall door and wouldn't that be a sight []).
 
Xerxes - Fast food places are probably a good idea.  The rest areas on the way home bug me because they are hidden off of the highway behind trees etc. (i.e. you can't see the actual rest area from the highway).  They feel so secluded.  If it was the summer with more travelers I wouldn't be so antsy.

I have been up and down I-94 alone several times, I usually stick to the bigger rest stops that have somewhat of a population of diners and gas stations. If your traveling in the early morning hours your probably going to see alot of truckers.
 
My sister is fond of saying that wisconsin roads go like this:
 
cornfield, cows, cornfield, cows, barn, cornfield,  house, cows, cornfield, PEOPLE....
 
Safe travels!
 
Dawn

Charlie looks like a killer, so I'm sure nobody'll bother you[]
 
Seriously, just pick a truck stop with a number of people around, park close to the building, lock your doors, and don't take any longer than you have to. 
 
We leave our dogs in the car for short periods all the time.  Of course, they're labs, and they'll sound pretty ferocious if someone comes to the car.

I actually tend to gravitate toward rest stops rather than elsewhere since all the ones in my neck of the woods have huge grassy areas to run the dog around in.  I'd second what someone said about taking your break first and then taking your pup out, but other than that I'd say you should be fine as long as you stop at places w/ a fair number of people.
 
For fast food places, I've found that McDs usually has a grassy strip around the restaurant perfect for doggie potty breaks. []

Madi and I would travel from Chicago to St. Louis  twice a month before moving out here. Hubby was working and Madi and I would take the trip alone.  I know this sounds bad but we would always stop at rest stops.  I would get her out, walk her around, then she would go into the rest room with me.  She would sit outside my stall and I would put my foot on her leash.  There was only one stop that someone complained.  I just explained my situation and they let us in.  When it came time for food or soda,  I would just stop at a fast food place.  Most of the time I just would just fill a cooler for the two of us. 
 
When we moved out here the trip took 3 days.  Once again it was Madi and me alone.  We stopped at the rest stop every time and it worked out fine.  I remember a great spot in Colorado that had a stream by the picnic area.  She sat there for a good 30 minutes just watching the water go by.  I guess the view from the car was getting old. 
 
The hard part is traveling at night.  My husband was robbed once at a rest stop, yes he was going pee at the time.
For this reason  and many other reasons I try to travel during day light hours.  The good part is that Madi looks mean, she is a german shepherd, what people don't know is that should would not hurt a fly.  I need to go Madi just ate her dinner and wants me to go see that her bowl is empty.

Traveling alone with Charlie sounds like an interesting challenge, especially when you're trying to balance the needs of both yourself and your dog. It’s great that you’re thinking ahead! For safety and convenience, gas stations tend to be a better option than rest stops, as they often have more people around. Restaurants are also fine, but make sure the area feels safe. If you're planning any future trips or need some relaxation after this drive, you might want to explore yacht charters. Check out https://12knots.com for some amazing options if you're interested in a calm getaway on the water!