The BIG Move

Since we travel with pets, here's what we do. Make frequent stops (i.e. every two - three hours). Allow time for a quick walk and offer a small (maybe tupperware type with a lid) litter box to the cat. Offer water at every stop to both. We never drive more than 12 hours at a time with pets. When you stop for the night, offer food at that point. Mine rarely eat that first night (this is okay), but let them know they can if they want. Get in a good walk (for the dog) first thing in the morning.

I've traveled cross country & globe with my girls (cocker Sache and kitty Squirty). They fair better than you anticipate. The time of year would be more concerning to me - be sure to really watch the temps in the vehicle. I personally didn't offer food while we were in travel status -- and brough high quality food for at night (something they usually didn't get to ensure they would eat something) I froze small bowls (think small butter tubs) with water to have out during the trip for them to lick on if interested. If you stop at road stops, avoid people / cars because nothing would be worse than to have your furkid freak out and get loose away from home. I did rest stops but prefered to go a bit further into a town and found a church parking lot... unless Sun / Wed, they were usually quiet.

We travel quite a lot doing SAR related things, and normally, we go more than just an hour or two, sometimes longer. It depends on your dog, and what time of day you are traveling, too.(night time travel, they will sleep more, like a kid would) Don't give any food too close to the time you are leaving,(or during the drive) and instead of watering them up at every stop, offer ice chips, instead. You could keep a cooler in your vehicle with the ice, and offer it along the trip.Keep your dogs and cats in crates the whole way, as this is the SAFEST way to travel, and also, if you can, bungee cord the crates in so that they don't scoot around. You can give your dogs Rescue Remedy to help with anxieties (cats can have this, too) just put it in their bowl of water, a few days prior to the trip, so that it builds up in their system. Then give them a little more before you leave. Melatonin, a natural sleep aid, is also good to give, because it will make them more sleepy, and they can relax better. My dog is used to going places, and once he's in his crate, after we're on the highway, he snuggles up, and goes to sleep. I have to practically force him out of his crate at stops to potty, that is how relaxed he is. If you can avoid it, don't get any drugs from the vet for them, as there's just too many risks with that stuff, plus, it can make some animals more sick from the motion. Good luck with the job hunt!