Drive down in one car, no trailer.  One of you stay in KC, the other one fly
back to Seattle to get the other car, which you tow back to KC behind a
large U-Haul truck with a tow bar, instead of the other way around.  The
trip can be done in a day and a half (less, maybe 24-25 hours if you switch
drivers) and kitty only needs to be sedated for one day not three.

I have traveled with several different cats (one at a time) for distances
that required several overnights at motels.  I never had any trouble, and I
never sedated my cats.  I would suggest that you take a few short trips
around your home to test out the situation.  You may find that you also will
not need to sedate your cat, and it would be much better if you can avoid
it.  You could pick up a few pills from your vet to keep on hand "just in
case" they were needed.

You mentioned that you will have the cat on a harness outside the car.  If
at all possible, avoid that!  Place the cat in a carrier anytime you
transport the cat outside the car.  My cats traveled very well, and I kept
them on a harness inside the car -- the would simply curl up on the seat
beside me, and I would fasten the harness in such a way that they could not
get to my feet.  Many feel that it is really better to keep the cat in a
harness at all times, even when in the car.  Fasten the carrier to the car's
seat belt to protect your cat.

I always kept litter availabe in the car (if you use a carrier as I just
described, you would need to let the cat out at rest stops).  However, it
was a true rarity when a cat would use the litter box in the car or accept
any food or water.  *All* of them would wait until we entered a motel in the
evening, then head immediately for either the litter box or their food.

Be sure to check ahead on motels.  As you said, many Holiday Inns accept
small pets (some with an additional deposit); but some do not.

Be *very* careful to have your pets secured in carriers or on harnesses
*any* time a door or window is opened -- when you fill up for gas, pay
tolls, etc.  Tragedy could strike in an instant if a pet panics and heads
for the nearest exit.  Also, do not leave your pet alone in the car while
you go inside to eat.  Cars cat heat to dangerous levels in a matter of just
a few minutes.  I always bought food at drive-through windows and ate in the
car so I could leave the air conditioner running.  I only left my cats alone
for a quick visit to restrooms.

Good luck!  I actually enjoyed traveling with my cats, and I hope you will
have an equally good experience.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

I agree with Mary about not letting your cat outside enroute, even with
a harness. Cats can be very freaked out when in a new place and bolt
when you least expect it. They can wiggle out of constraints. I would
keep him in the carrier when not in the car or hotel.

We drove 4 days with 2 cats, and we let them lose in the car (windows
only open a crack) I know it was not as safe as keeping them in the
carrier, but we didn't think of that at the time. One cat slept under a
coat, not wanting to know what was happening. The other sat up and
yowled for 4 days. WE wanted a tranquilizer! (We did not tranquilize the
cats.)

Only one would use the litter box, even though it was there.

They were stressed, but we made it. One thing we did is make sure each
had a collar with a phone number on the tag. Since we were between
phones, we put my parents' number on them and told them not to hang up
if they got a call about a cat!

Rhonda

©Old Sarge®° wrote:

Hi there.

Tiffany, our oldest, has traveled back and forth across
the country.  We always keep her in her carrier in the
car and she seems to prefer it: just snoozes unless a
big rig goes by.  She doesn't eat, doesn't use the cat
box.  And I too have seen those "Lost Pet" ads at rest
stops.

After 5 days, Tif got so used to the routine: ride in
the carrier, get in the motel, food and water in one
corner of the bathroom, cat box in the other, that she
got impatient in Knoxville Tennessee and scratched at
the door knob, eager to get outside and explore her
"new" surroundings.

3 points: We never used sedatives.  After a half-hour
of mewing, she zoned out.

Also, heat can be a problem.  AC a priority because
even with holes those carriers can get hot.  Also kept
ice to bathe the cat's head if she started panting.
Which happened at rush hour in Dallas on the freeway
with no AC.  Also park in the shade if necessary.

Also, cat shouldn't be left alone in motel room out of
the carrier.  Too much chance of housekeeping or
somebody else opening the door and there goes Fluffy.

Good luck.

Dan

Hi Sarge, I'm new here also and hope I'm posting correct.  I'm sure if not
someone will let me know.  But I've made 2 trips now with my 2 cats from
Alabama to Montana and would do it again if necessary.  I would suggest that
you see if can find a harness for your cat instead of a collar and make sure
you have your leash attached to it at every stop you make even if your not
letting the cats out with you.  This is good because they do like to get out
excercise and that makes a happier pet, therefore a happier owner.
Red Roof Inns accepted our cats for the entire trip with no extra charge.
I never had to sedate the cats on any of the trips.  They would meow for
about 20 minutes, and then all of a sudden just stop and be fine the rest of
way.  Never had to keep them in pet carriers but they are a good idea in
case of a accident but I would think that would make it a tad hot.  On our
last trip the two of them just laid in the seat in the van by the big window
and looked outside.  The van made it alot better than the car, they had more
room to move around.  They didn't eat anything while in the car or van, but
used the litter box occasionally.  But once they were in the motel room at
night , they were starving and ready to eat when we did get in the motel
room and did just fine there.  Gave them time to explore and then pile up on
the bed with us and sleep till we got up.  Good luck on your trip and hope
this helps.  By the way, we took 2.5 days to make a 1805 mile trip.  Could
of made it faster, but figured we would feel better and so would the cats if
we made stops.  Hope this helps

Patti