Upcoming, for my job, I am going to be traveling out of town every 3rd week for 6-9 days at a time. This arrangement will be ongoing for an undetermined duration. I am evaluating different scenarios for my 6 yr old BP. As I see it, I have 3 options (other options welcomed!)


1. HE TRAVELS WITH ME
This is my preferred option. I will be traveling about 4.5 hours each way by car, 2-3 times a month. This seems like a lot of car time for him. When I've travelled with him in the past, I've just set him up with my cars heated seats with his temp probe underneath and provided supplemental heat as necessary with a heat bulb plugged into a power inverter. The heated seats don't provide a means to regulate temp much but I've managed to keep them at a tolerable level in the past. I have a full enclosure set up at the destination that I can have turned on prior to my arrival so that part is not an issue. I am mainly concerned about the amount of car time as a stress factor and the feeding schedule adjustments that would need to be made.


2. HE STAYS HOME
This is probably my least preferred option. I could have someone come in to provide fresh water and check basic temps every few days (likely only twice while I'm gone.) This wouldn't be someone with reptile experience and would just be "following rules" I would have to provide them with. Also, they would not feed. I know they would check the enclosure to the best of their knowledge but I'm not really comfortable with that on an ongoing basis. His temps are controlled via thermostat but I still feel it's a risky game to play.


3. HE STAYS AT THE DESTINATION
This is not ideal in my opinion, as it would mean he would be out of my care the majority of the time. At the destination, he would be monitored daily (also by a non-owner) but I would be able to provide more guidance to the person. Aside for the obvious reasons of not wanting to do this, it would also mean I would have to make an extra trip myself for feedings, as this person would also not feed.


In a perfect world, I would just travel him with me and he would stay happy and healthy. But, in reality, is it that simple? How much stress do you think this amount of car time would cause? Is there any steps I could take to have him travel with me successfully?


Thanks!