Pet rats traveling

Question
We are planning a road trip from california to minnesota. I want to bring our rats with us because we will be gone for two weeks and we will miss them. Should we get a friend to come feed them and give them water or would it be ok to take them with us? We have a ten gallan aquarium with a lid that they can ride in. We planned on taking them in the motel room with us so they can come out and explore. What do you think we should do?

Answer
I br    ing my rats with me all the time. However, an aquarium is not a good idea. What you can buy is a cage that is 12 X 24, much lighter to tote around than a glass tank, circulation is much better etc.... if the trip was shorter, I would suggest a cat carrier to transport them in and set up a roomier cage at the hotel.  California to Minnesota is a drive though, so I dont suggest the cat carrier.  How much room in the car do you have for them?  One thing to remember is to NEVER put them with cargo, like in the back of an SUV where no cool air is and where sunlight will shine in and bake them. I have heard horror stories about rats dying like this from people putting them in an area of the car that got too hot for them and they died.  
I will assume you have a decent vehicle that has                                                 A/C  in it etc...and the motel room? They will LOVE roaming around but be sure they ONLY go in the bathroom of motel and not the bedroom where they could get stuck in and under those beds etc...

Also, be sure to locate Vets in the areas you will be staying and find out if they treat rats too. This way you wont be hurried trying to find a vet that will treat your sick rat.  How many do you have again?