Road Trip from Long Beach, CA to Elizabethtown, KY

Day 1: Long Beach ➜ Flagstaff

Morning: Depart Long Beach early and cruise north on I-10, stopping at the iconic Santa Monica Pier for a quick walk with the dogs. Continue east on I-40, enjoying the desert sunrise.

Afternoon: Drive through the Mojave Desert, passing the historic Route 66 stretch near Barstow. Grab a pet‑friendly lunch in Kingman before heading toward the high country of Arizona.

Evening: Arrive in Flagstaff, check into the pet‑friendly La Quinta Inn & Suites Flagstaff or Holiday Inn Express Flagstaff. Take a leisurely stroll downtown and dine at a dog‑welcome patio.

Day 2: Flagstaff ➜ Amarillo

Morning: Leave Flagstaff and travel east on I-40, crossing the spectacular Grand Canyon’s East Rim vista points (short pull‑outs are pet‑allowed).

Afternoon: Continue across the New Mexico high plains, stopping at the quirky Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo for photo ops. Enjoy a pet‑friendly snack at the nearby Big Texan Steakhouse.

Evening: Check into the pet‑friendly La Quinta Inn & Suites Amarillo or Holiday Inn Express Amarillo. Relax at the hotel’s outdoor area while the pups unwind.

Day 3: Amarillo ➜ Nashville

Morning: Head east on I‑40, passing through the rolling hills of Oklahoma. Stop at the historic Oklahoma City Bricktown district, where leashed dogs are welcome on the promenade.

Afternoon: Cross into Tennessee, taking a short break at the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway overlook. Continue to Nashville, soaking in the music‑city vibe.

Evening: Arrive in Nashville and stay at the pet‑friendly La Quinta Inn & Suites Nashville or Red Roof Inn Nashville. Enjoy dinner at a dog‑friendly rooftop restaurant.

Day 4: Nashville ➜ Elizabethtown

Morning: Depart Nashville and travel north on I‑65, stopping at the historic Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg (outside tours are pet‑allowed).

Afternoon: Continue the short drive to Elizabethtown, arriving in time for a quick walk around the charming downtown square.

Evening: Check into your chosen accommodation in Elizabethtown and unwind after a rewarding cross‑country adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Santa Monica Pier – 0.5 hr – $0 (free parking nearby)
• Route 66 (Barstow) – 0.5 hr – $0
• Grand Canyon East Rim Viewpoints – 1 hr – $0 (parking $5)
• Cadillac Ranch – 0.5 hr – $0
• Oklahoma City Bricktown – 1 hr – $0
• Natchez Trace Parkway Overlook – 0.5 hr – $0
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery (outside tour) – 1 hr – $0
• Fuel (≈ 2,050 mi) – – – $250
• Pet‑Friendly Hotels (4 nights) – – – $560
• Meals & Miscellaneous – – – $300
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,115

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day to explore the Grand Canyon more thoroughly or visit the vibrant arts scene in Santa Fe, NM. To shorten the trip, you could skip the Nashville stop and head straight from Amarillo to Elizabethtown, reducing the journey to three longer driving days while still keeping daily limits under 10 hours.