When we had to hit the road on short notice, there was no question of whether we'd take her or board her. Boarding in our immediate area means taking a cat to the vet to be kept in a cage for the duration. Not what we want for any of our animals. We considered trying to find someone to look in on her, but didn't like that idea, either. And making the decision to leave and being gone within less than 4 hours wouldn't have left much time to find someone.
So, we made room in the car for a litter box (the covered box from a previous cat), her carrier and some supplies for her. We also made sure she could get in & out of her litter box, get to her food and water. Once we'd made a few necessary stops, we let her out of the carrier.
The first hour, she was unhappy. She doesn't like being in her carrier. And likes it less each time she's in it. However, once she realized it had no signs of stopping, she curled up on Tom's lap and slept the day away. We'd hand her off at the pit/gas/food stops. Then she'd curl up and sleep again when we got back on the road. At one stop she sat up and leaned on my shoulder.
The second day she cried a few minutes, explored the car, then hopped into her carrier for the rest of the day. Except for the last half of the last day of our trip, she settled into a pattern of brief exploration of the car followed by sleeping in her carrier until we'd make a stop. She'd pop up her head and look around and, most times, curl back up. The last half of the last day she went back to Tom's lap.
She had no problem with the series of new spaces. She explored as much space as allowed in each location. In Trout Creek, rather than try to lock her in the bathroom (not a practice she approves of) we let her roam the whole house. Some day soon it will be her house anyway.
She doesn't choose to travel, but she tolerates it well ... after a few minutes of complaining.
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