Travel with your pet: A summer road trip from Memphis to Charleston
Enjoy the dog days of summer (literally) with a road trip through the Deep South.
By Joanna Tweedy | April 20, 2022 (Updated March 20, 2026)
Get behind the wheel and spend a week exploring exciting cities and beautiful green spaces on a four-state road trip from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, South Carolina. Happily, that famous Southern hospitality we know and love also extends to dogs, with plenty of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and attractions for you (and your four-legged friend) to discover along the way. So, pack up your dog bed, water bowl, and a favorite toy or two, and get ready to hit the road with your favorite furry travel companion.
In this article: Pet-friendly summer road trip through the Deep South
Memphis, Tennessee
The birthplace of rock ’n’ roll, at Tennessee’s southwest corner, is a great place to begin a Deep South tour. An abundance of pet-friendly hotels, dog parks, and outdoor dining options means you'll never have to be apart from your pup. Start your getaway on a high note, soaking up the city’s rich blues and country music heritage on cobblestoned Beale Street downtown; the neon-lit bars here helped launch the careers of some of Memphis’ most-famous musicians and are still home to epic live music nights. A quick 10-minute drive from Tru by Hilton West Memphis, you and your pet can enjoy warm summer nights at Handy Park, named after “Father of the blues” W.C. Handy. Grab some barbecue-to-go from locals’ favorite The Pig on Beale and dine alfresco while enjoying the sounds of the summer. For leisurely sightseeing, Uptown Carriages offers horse-drawn carriage tours of interesting areas, including the Arts District and the Mississippi riverside; dogs are welcome if you book ahead. A short drive drive east of downtown lands you in Overton Bark, a designated 1.3-acre (0.5-hectare) patch of Overton Park that's open from dawn till dusk each day. Dogs can run free while owners perch on log benches in this pretty green enclave. The park has water fountains so you can keep your dog hydrated as they enjoy an off-leash romp.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Put on some Elvis tunes and head over the border to Mississippi; it takes less than two hours of driving time traveling southeast from Memphis on Interstate 22 to reach Tupelo. The pilgrimage to Elvis Presley’s Birthplace is the reason most people visit this small city, and dogs on leashes are welcome to walk around the tranquil parklands surrounding the two-room home where “The King” was born in 1935. A walk down Main Street takes you past Tupelo Hardware Co., where Elvis’ mother, Gladys, bought his first guitar. There are options for more rural walks, too. Tombigbee State Park —10 miles (16 kilometers) east — welcomes pets on leashes, and Tupelo Bark Park, just 7 minutes from Tru by Hilton Tupelo, is also ideal for an unleashed run, though dogs do need to be leashed on your way in and out of the park.
Atlanta
Cross two more state lines en route to Atlanta, passing through Alabama and into Georgia on this 280-mile (450.6-kilometer) trip east. A paw-some pit-stop could be Red Mountain Park, close to Birmingham (3 miles, or 4.8 kilometers, west of Interstate 65), which is home to Remy’s Dog Park, the state’s largest outdoor space for four-legged friends. There are hiking opportunities at Sweetwater Creek State Park, in Lithia Springs about 30 miles (48.2 kilometers) before you reach Atlanta and just a 10-minute drive from Tru by Hilton Lithia Springs. This wild portion of Georgia countryside is a must for history fans; you can wander the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned down during the Civil War. Dubbed the Capital of the South, outdoorsy Atlanta is an energizing place to take a summer vacation with a pet. Downtown is awash with trendy cafes, restaurants, and hotels that will offer a cooling bowl of water for your pooch. Don’t miss Fetch Park, which serves cocktails to owners while pets enjoy a spacious doggy play area. Piedmont Park, a mile (1.6 kilometers) northeast of downtown, offers pet owners beautiful views of the park’s lake and Atlanta’s shimmering skyline. Plus, pets can go off-leash in the dog park.
Savannah, Georgia
The next stage of this pet-friendly road trip — a four-hour, 250-mile (402 kilometers) trip from Atlanta to Savannah — sees some of Georgia’s prettiest scenery fill the windscreen. An hour along Interstate 75 puts you at High Falls State Park, where leashed dogs can join owners on shaded trails, and you can spy Towaliga River’s majestic falls. Elegant Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, offers a warm welcome to travelers and their dogs with a lot of city walks among pretty architecture, public squares and those famous moss-covered oak trees. On River Street, in Savannah’s Historic District, the options for summer dining with your pet by your side are plentiful; order a feast at the District Smokehouse or enjoy an ice cream from Leopold's Ice Cream as you stroll. Tours are a great way to fill a morning, too, with many of the city’s guides allowing well-behaved hounds on their walking adventures. Try Oliver Bentleys Historic Dog Walk Tour, which actively encourages pooches to accompany their owners while they’re learning about Savannah’s enthralling past, with free treats included for pets. While staying at Tru by Hilton Savannah Midtown, you’ll be just a half hour from Fort Pulaski National Monument, where you and your dog can explore the fort and hiking trails of this historic destination. Dogs are allowed if on leashes no longer than six feet, per the National Park Service rules.
Charleston, South Carolina
The final leg of this summer vacation takes in the 100-mile (161 kilometers) journey between Savannah and neighboring coastal city Charleston. South Carolina’s Lowcountry idyll, St. Helena Island, provides a thought-provoking half-way point between the two cities, by way of a slight detour. It’s home to the Penn Center, where Martin Luther King Jr. penned the first draft of his “I Have a Dream Speech” and dogs are allowed to explore this nature-filled island on a leash. Charleston, one of the oldest cities in the country, is a wonderful place to end any road trip; savor the old-world charm by strolling through the Historic District — including regal King Street — with your canine companion at your feet. At King Street’s southern end lies White Point Garden, a 5.7-acre (2.3-hectare) public park brimming with Civil War artifacts, including cannons and mortars. Dogs are allowed to run leash-free from first light to 9 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Nearby, you’ll also find The Battery, a Civil War-era defensive seawall that doubles as the perfect spot for a breezy evening pet promenade. Stay at Tru by Hilton Mt Pleasant Charlston and you’ll be just a 24-minute drive from The Battery and all its pet-friendly offerings. Fancy getting a little closer to the ocean? Leashed dogs of any size ride for free on the Charleston Water Taxi network.
Pet-friendly road trip
Hit the road with your furry friend on a pet‑friendly summer road trip from Memphis to Charleston, exploring iconic Southern cities, scenic parks, and dog‑welcoming attractions along the way. This guide highlights top stops, including Memphis’ music‑rich Beale Street, Atlanta’s vibrant outdoor spaces, Savannah’s historic charm, and Charleston’s coastal beauty. With plenty of pet‑friendly hotels, restaurants, and trails, it’s the perfect itinerary for travelers seeking an unforgettable adventure with their pets. Discover must‑see destinations, insider tips, and the best places to stay for a smooth, tail‑wagging journey.
Joanna Tweedy
Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former U.K. national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.
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