Last updated on April 1st, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Whether taking a road trip, moving across the country, or something in between, a long car ride can be daunting, especially if you have a furry copilot to care for! Many (raises hand) consider their dogs family, and we want the absolute best for them.
Below, I’ll outline 11 essential tips for traveling long distance with a dog. You might be wondering what to do with them if you need to go in a store. You may be curious about how often you should stop on a road trip with your dog. Whatever your quandary, I’ve got you covered!
Grab your keys and canine companion, and let’s dig into how to make road trips fun for you and your pup!
1. Leaving Dogs In The Car – Reduce The Risk
Leaving a dog unattended in a car is never encouraged. However, situations may arise when traveling long distance with a dog where it’s impossible not to. For example, you may have to use the restroom at a gas station or run into a store to grab something.
Arizona State University conducted a study of interior car temperatures when outdoor temperatures reached 100℉. They measured the interior vehicle temperature after one hour, replicating a typical shopping trip. Interior temperatures reached 116℉, and surface temperatures were closer to 160℉! At these temperatures, heatstroke is a serious concern for dogs.
There are ways to mitigate the risk of heatstroke in dogs by following these expert tips:
- Keep periods away from your car, brief, ideally less than ten minutes.
- Crank up the air conditioning before leaving your car to cool it down.
- Park in the shade.
- Use two sets of keys. While you are away, keep the car and air conditioning on. Use the other set of keys to lock the doors.
- Use window shades.
- Put down a small amount of water for your pup.
It’s better to avoid leaving your dog in the car unattended. When possible, aim for pet-friendly stores and restaurants.
2. Keep Them Comfy With Familiar Smells
You may be inclined to wash the blankets before a long road trip, but think twice before doing so! Dogs love having familiar smells around, including your smell and the smell of their safe place: your home.
Before traveling long distance with a dog, line the back seat of your car with blankets from home and, if possible, avoid washing them right before leaving. The familiar scent helps keep your pup calm and comfortable in your car.
3. Provide Enrichment During Pit Stops
Even the laziest couch potato dog gets energized by that one thing they love. It could be walkies, meal time, or their favorite toy. Bring some enrichment tools to entertain your dog on the long car ride.
Here are some enrichment tools that are geared toward traveling long distance with a dog:
- Lick mat – These are ridged mats where you can smear wet food, peanut butter, or other dog-friendly foods. The mat makes it a fun game to lick all the food between the ridges and helps slow their eating, aiding digestion.
- Kong- A Kong toy filled with peanut butter can keep your furry pal happy and engaged.
- Their favorite toy- Not only will it provide enrichment, but comfort.
It’s best to give these enrichment options while the vehicle is stopped, as eating while it is in motion can make some pups sick!
4. Stop For Walks
Just like humans cooped up on a rainy day, dogs build up energy when stuck in a car and unable to get outside to stretch their legs.
When traveling long distance with a dog, try to stop at least once every three hours to let your dog out on a leash. Map out a few hiking trails or walking paths along your trip where you can let your dog tire themselves out. You can also bring a long lead to let them run and zoom around (in a safe area!).
Check out this list of 9 dog hiking gear essentials to ensure your dog has everything they need for a quick adventure on your road trip!
5. Take Your Sweet Time
One of the biggest mistakes people make when traveling is trying to get there as fast as possible. When going on a road trip with a furry copilot, have the mindset that you’ll get there when you get there.
Dogs add an extra layer of… let’s call it specialness…to your trip. Sometimes, they have accidents, get sick, eat things they shouldn’t, or act out because they’re stressed.
Take the time to attend to their needs. Remember that this road trip might be stressful for them, and they’re looking to you for guidance. Set a good example by being patient and gracious with your loyal friend.
6. Prepare For Emergencies
Preparing for emergencies is a must-do when traveling long distances with a dog. Here’s a checklist of emergency gear you should consider packing for long road trips with your canine companion:
- Vet Records – Bring any documentation from previous vet visits that you can provide to a vet should your dog fall ill while traveling. This helps get the new vet up to speed quickly and offers reliable information about your pet’s history.
- Identification – Always have a way to identify your dog and your contact information. This can be in the form of an ID tag, collar, harness tag, etc.
- Medical Kit – Keeping a dog first-aid kit on hand is not a bad idea in case of accidental cuts, scrapes, or strains.
- Extra Medication: If your pup takes any medication, pack more than you’ll need in case your trip is longer than expected.
If you want to build your own dog emergency kit, check out this complete guide to building a dog first-aid kit.
7. Prep Your Pooch
Car rides are a normal thing for people, but unless your dog has taken a long road trip before, they have no idea what’s in store. One excellent tip for traveling long distances with a dog is to slowly build up to your big trip.
Prepare your pup for travel by taking them on small adventures and gradually increasing the distance. Use something like a post-ride treat or pre-ride play session to entice your dog to get excited for the car ride. This helps your dog associate the car ride with something positive!
8. Stick To A Routine
Have you ever noticed how dogs always seem to know when dinner is? Or when it’s time to go for a walk? Dogs have an uncanny internal clock that keeps on ticking whether they’re at home or on the road!
While traveling long distance with a dog, it’s best to keep to their regular routines. Try to feed and walk them at the same time you usually would. This helps assert a sense of normalcy in an otherwise abnormal situation.
9. Finding Pet-Friendly Lodging
Unless you’re road-tripping in a self-contained vehicle like a campervan or RV, you’ll need to scope out some pet-friendly hotels for your trip. Make sure to read the fine print, as many hotels and Airbnb charge pet fees, which can really add up.
Some of the most pet-friendly hotels include Kimpton (IHG), Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Choice, and Best Western. Many Airbnbs are also pet-friendly.
Remember that unfamiliar smells can be stressful for dogs. Allow them to get used to a new room, and have patience if they are scared, stressed, or acting out due to boredom.
When you arrive at your destination for the night, you may feel like falling into bed to sleep, but remember that your pup needs to be walked and cared for. This is an excellent opportunity to bust out some enrichment tools like lick mats and kongs, play games, or do training to wear your dog out and get them ready for bed.
10. Embrace Change
Things don’t always work out as planned. When traveling long distance with a dog, be ready to embrace change depending on you or your dog’s needs, and on things you can’t control like route closures and inclement weather.
Social media makes road tripping with a dog look fun and carefree, but it’s a lot of hard work! Being ready to embrace change is one of the best things you can do to make your adventure more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
After all, it’s all part of the adventure, right?
11. Use A Crate or a Restraint to Keep Your Dog Safe While Driving
It’s tempting to let your dog roam in the car while driving, but it’s important to weigh the consequences if an unexpected event happens, such as a fender bender, blown tire, or crash.
Any dog harness can be made into a ‘seatbelt’ that keeps your dog safe during emergencies. Follow these four easy steps:
- Put on your dog’s harness.
- Buckle the seat belt.
- Attach a single carabiner to the seatbelt’s waist and shoulder part.
- Attach the carabiner to the dog’s harness.
When the brake is compressed, the seatbelt locks in place, just like it does for humans. Your dog will be safely attached to the seatbelt via its harness.
Another option is to secure a crate inside your vehicle with ratchet straps or other strong material, then drive with your dog inside the crate. Just make sure your dog is crate-trained before trying this.
Conclusion – Tips For Traveling Long Distance With A Dog
Pets are family, and we want what’s best for them. Driving long distance with a dog can be challenging, there’s no denying it! However, with a few tips and adequate preparation, you can make traveling long distance with a dog the most enjoyable experience possible.
Here’s a recap of the best tips for traveling with a furry copilot:
- Avoid leaving your dog in the car unattended for long periods.
- Put familiar smells in the car.
- Use enrichment toys like lick mats.
- Stop often for walks.
- Take your time.
- Prepare for emergencies
- Prepare your dog for the long road trip by taking shorter trips first.
- Keep to routines.
- Scope out pet-friendly lodging beforehand.
- Embrace change.
- Use a crate or restraint while driving.
Make your next road trip the best experience possible by following the above tips while traveling long distance with a dog. The memories you make will be ones you cherish fur-ever.
Dirtbags with Furbags chronicles the adventures of Robyn and Jarrod, a couple embracing the van life alongside their two pets. Their blog shares personal stories from road trips, insights into climbing and hiking, and the challenges and joys of traveling with pets.
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