Once upon a time, people moved less frequently than they do now. They also had a whole different attitude toward their animal companions. Instead of taking their cats with them on road trips or cross-country moves, they’d leave the cats with family or friends—or worse, abandon them. But people’s relationships with their pets, and particularly their cats, have changed dramatically in the past several decades. Now long-distance travel with cats is a much more common thing.

Regardless of people’s relationships with their cats, there’s often a sense of existential dread about being in a car for thousands of miles with loudly complaining cats. But I’m here to tell you that long-distance travel with cats can be done, with minimal stress on all parties.

I interviewed JaneA Kelley, the “webmaster and chief cat slave” of the award-winning blog, Paws and Effect, and asked her for her tips. Several years ago, Kelley made a cross-country move with three cats, and she says it was a lot easier than she thought it would be.

“Although they complained loudly as I was driving on surface roads, as soon as I got on the freeway, they curled up in their carriers and went to sleep,” she said.

She acknowledged that long-distance travel with cats requires a lot of planning. Here are some of her tips.

Get your cats vetted and microchipped

Before you go on a long road trip with your cats, you should take them to your veterinarian for a general health checkup. You want to make sure that everyone is road ready. Microchips are crucial because if a cat escapes en route, your chances of being reunited are very slim without one. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats without microchips are returned to their owners only 1.8 percent of the time, whereas microchipped cats are reunited with their owners 38.5 percent of the time.

Oh, and it’s crucial that you register your cat’s microchip and make sure that the registry always has your current contact information.

Get collars and tags for your cat

Even if your cat is microchipped, it’s a good idea to get them a collar and a tag with their name and your phone number. Cats are notorious for not being very fond of collars, but there are some collars that will be easier for your cat to tolerate than others. Beastie Bands, for example, are very comfortable, stretchable neoprene bands that close with Velcro. “You may think collars and tags AND microchips are a little bit much,” said Kelley, “but you definitely want redundancy when it comes to identification and long-distance travel with cats.”

Plan ahead for hotel stays

Very few people can do a cross-country drive without stopping, especially when there are cats in the car. If you plan to stop at hotels along the way, make sure they’re pet-friendly. Some hotel chains welcome pets with no extra charge, while others may ask for a pet deposit and still others may not welcome pets at all. According to Kelley, most La Quinta hotels are pet-friendly, as are many Sheratons and Red Roof Inns. There are other pet-welcoming hotel chains, too, especially if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option. “Just call ahead to make your reservation, and before you complete the process, ask if the hotel allows pets,” Kelley said.

Get comfortable cat carriers

When you’re doing long-distance travel with cats, you want your feline friends to be comfortable. Some carriers are better for that than others. Kelley recommends soft-sided carriers that are big enough for your cat to sit up and turn around in. You also want the carrier to be easy for you to move, so make sure it has a comfortable handle. Some carriers even have shoulder straps or backpack harnesses, which can be particularly helpful for moving multiple cats. Here are a few of Kelley’s favorites.

“Definitely keep your cats in their carriers and don’t let them loose in your car. Not only could your cats run away if you open the car door, but they could create a driving hazard as well, if they get under your feet and into the pedals, or if they block your view,” Kelley said.

She also recommended using the seat belts to buckle your cats’ carriers in, so that in the event of an accident they won’t fly all over the place.

But what about the litter box?

There’s a solution for that, too. “My cats had absolutely no interest in using the litter box while we were on the road,” Kelley said, “but as soon as we got to the hotel and they ate, they’d do their business.” Kelley brought one of the cats’ litter boxes with her on the trip and put a layer of their regular litter in it. “I think when the box smells familiar, they’re more likely to use it,” Kelley added. However, there are disposable litter boxes you can use if your cat is less picky.

Familiar food and water are important

Cats are not big fans of change, and a cross-country road trip is a huge change. Keep their lives as consistent as possible by bringing a case or bag of their regular food, and water from the place you left.

Why water, too? “Well, water tastes different in different parts of the country,” Kelley said, “and if their water tastes like what they’re used to, they’re more likely to drink as much as they need.”

Don’t forget about your vehicle

Long-distance travel with cats can be stressful enough without a breakdown or a flat tire along the way. Before you head out, get your car tuned up and checked out from hood to trunk in order to minimize your risk of car troubles. “When I had my car checked out, the mechanic found a squirrel nest in my air filter!” Kelley said with a laugh. “Needless to say, I had it replaced.”

What about sedatives for long-distance travel with cats?

Some people swear by giving their cats sedatives before a road trip. But Kelley didn’t sedate her feline friends. “It wasn’t necessary for my cats, but if your cat is really high-strung and anxious to begin with, you should consider asking your vet for a sedative in order to make your cat’s travels easier,” Kelley said. “It’s really a question of what each individual cat needs.”

Long-distance travel with cats requires a lot of planning and preparation, but it can be done. Not only that, your cats might be a lot more relaxed about it than you think. Staying calm is key. “Cats are emotional sponges,” Kelley said. “They’ll pick up on your emotions, so if you’re stressed out and anxious, they will be, too.”

Have you done any long-distance travel with cats? Do you have other tips? Please share them in the comments!