Couple questions about long distance traveling

Next week I will be going to my parents for vacation from Florida to Virginia (approx 800 miles). I have a couple questions about the trip.
I am driving as my last experience with boarding Ozzy did not go well and its too much hassel to fly with him (the things we do for our birds!).

Anyways, when in the car with me he usually sits on a perch thats made for the shower but that I attact to the window of my car in the passenger seat. A couple times I have put him in a cat carrier with a perch drilled in but he whines and whines and just gives me the death stare through the slits. Since these are usually very short trips I havent really thought about the safety of one vs. the other. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions about which one would be better?

Secondly, I am going to be staying in a hotel one night on the way up and then again on the way back since I cant drive 13 hours straight. Is it extremly inhumae to keep him in the cat carrier over night? My parents have a bird cage up there so I am not bringing a cage for him and will just use that one. I would attach water and a food bowl to the door and put some foot toys in there. If this wouldnt work what would you suggest?

Ok last isnt about traveling but once we get there my parents have two fireplaces that they use often in the winter. Is there an issue with fire places and parrots? I would like to keep him in the living room where one of the fire places is but if necessary I could put him in my room on the second floor (fire places in basement and first floor).

Thanks!

I would be taking a chance giving you ANY advise about traveling with a bird.
I have never taken Mishka on holiday.......
I came across a great link, giving great advise and tips, regarding your questions

How to Travel Safely with Your Bird

Good luck and have a safe trip

We do a lot of traveling in between houses, my iguana, bearded dragons and IRN comes with every time. Our longest trip was down to the coast 8-9 hours because we had car problems in between. (Freaking Land Rover )

Through what type of temps will you be driving? The aircon in the car dries out the air terribly and causes all of my kids to become VERY thirsty so we dont use it anymore. I use warm water-bottles during the winter time for all of them.

I will not recommend letting Ozzy sit on a perch it is really too dangerous and he WILL get tired. I honestly think a cat carrier will be too stressful for such a long drive. My IRN is small and we bought a cage for her to travel in, she also uses the cage for sleeping now. Can you invest in buying a small cage that will fit in your car? Here is a photo of the size of the cage and it fits in our smallest car as well (Daihatso Charade.) An African Grey was in a smaller cage than hers and looked comfortable so I really think an Amazon will have enough space to move and turn.



This photo was while she was in hospital.

What I like about the cage is that she has access to water and food plus there is space for a toy to chew on. She also does not sit on/in her own poop. Its not expensive either. I change the toy every now and then, a honey-seed cone and shredding things keeps her busy in the car.

You can not pack too much, believe me! Start making a list of all the things and keep it with you so you can update it as you remember something else. Check the exact route that you will be traveling and mark all the vets along the way, rather safe than sorry.

The best is to travel at night while Ozzy sleeps with a blanket over his cage. I know this is very hard for the driver but it is the least stressful way to travel.

I dont know about the fire places, what type is it?

Ozzy, I have taken Fred with me several times to visit my parents...it's a two hour drive. We're having a big family Christmas at my daughter's this year...the drive will be four hours. Normally Fred travels in a cage...this time he's going in a travel crate, as we're taking my parents with us, and space will likely be an issue. I've had the crate close to his cage for weeks and he's still afraid of it!
Like you, I considered the safety of travelling in the car. I'm sure he'd be content sitting in my lap, or on a perch... but he's staying in the crate. If we have to apply brakes quickly, or have even a slight collision, I don't think Fred would be safe, unless he's "contained" in the carrier.
I wouldn't keep him in in the carrier overnight. He'll need a break. You may have trouble getting him back in the morning. I will probably have to towel Fred, but I really do think the carrier is safer.

So my trip is half way through (staying the night in South Carolina) and I have a grumpy bird. He yelled at me for like half the way and gave me the stink eye through the holes in the carrier. I stopped a couple times to let him stretch his wings and drink some water. Now we are out of the hotel and I have let him out of his travel cage and he is sitting on his food bowl asleep on the table. So far so good I am NOT looking forward to putting him back in the cat carrier tmrw.