ROAD TRIPPING WITH A PUPPY

Bringing your puppy home

I don't recommend s/he eat much during the road trip.  S/he might be too stressed to eat with all the change, and you will have less poop and pee to deal with.  Here are some suggestions for a smooth roadtrip with a puppy:
 
*Bring an x-pen.  Set it up in a grassy area off the highway, preferably on a sidestreet or rest stop.  THEN get the puppy from the vehicle.  Put the puppy in the x-pen to do his or her business.  The puppies are not collar and leash trained so this will be a better and more comfortable situation for him/her.  Stop every 3 hours if possible.
*Travel with a FROZEN door cup of water.  Door cups are sold with kennels to put food and water in, or you can buy them separately from big box pet stores.  The ice will slowly melt and the dog can lick at it for hydration.  Much less messy than dishes or buckets, and the dog won't overhydrate, causing him/her to have a full bladder.  Unless the weather or the vehicle is very hot, she/he shouldn't need a lot to drink during your trip.
*Food and treats should be kept to a minimum.  You can stuff your face with jerky, cheezies and Dr Pepper (well that's what I do anyway...) but your dog doesn't need to eat and has gone for 10 hours without eating (overnight.)  So don't stress about mealtimes during your trip.  If you are stopping overnight, feed when you get there.  Young pups normally have a poop about 5-15 minutes after a meal.
*The puppies have no bladder or bowel control as 8/9 weeks is far too young to start worrying about such a thing.  Ensure s/he gets ample potty breaks and line your crate like this: bottom is a garbage bag or something else waterproof.  Next is a puppy potty pad or 1/4 inch of newspaper.  On top is an old towel or blanket, or something you don't mind getting wet/dirty.  Now is not the time to be using the new blankie you have bought for your dog.
*Up to you, but if you feel comfortable with it, the puppy can be held and cuddled during the trip to ease his/her anxiety.  Certainly it's safer in a crate but you alone can weigh the pros and cons and combine crate time and cuddle time.  Cuddle time should only be offered if the pup is cooperative and tired, not if he or she wants to explore the whole time.  That is UNSAFE.
*A marrow bone or dried bully stick/greenie, etc can be offered as a pass-time in his or her crate.

Once at home...
The puppies are sleeping through the night in their current situation (familiar territory, siblings and mother closeby, no unusual sights or sounds) with the eception of stirring to potty, have a drink, play a bit.  But will likely take 1-3 or 4 or possibly even more nights to settle in their new environment.  I don't recommend sleeping in a motel/hotel room with a pup on his or her first night with you unless you have earplugs for all your neighbours.  These are rough times for the puppy and will be quite noisy for you.