A road trip is often the easiest way to travel with a pet. You set the schedule, stop when you need to, and your pet stays with you the whole way. A little planning makes it much more enjoyable for both of you.
Before you go
- Check your pet's health. Make sure vaccinations are up to date, and ask your vet about motion sickness if your pet gets carsick.
- Update the microchip and ID tag with your current phone number.
- Practice. If your pet rarely rides in the car, build up with short trips that end somewhere fun.
- Find vets along the way. Note a vet and an emergency vet near each place you'll stay.
Finding pet-friendly hotels
Many hotel chains welcome pets, but their policies vary a lot, even between hotels in the same chain. Before you book:
- Check the fees. Many hotels charge a pet fee per night or per stay.
- Check size and number limits. Some hotels only accept pets under a certain weight, or one or two pets per room.
- Ask about rules. Some don't allow pets to be left alone in the room.
- Call the hotel directly. Individual hotels can have different rules from the chain's general policy.
Compare the major chains on our hotel pet policies page.
Packing list
- Food for the whole trip, plus a couple of extra days
- Water and a travel bowl
- Leash, harness and a spare collar with ID tags
- Medications, and a copy of your pet's vaccination records
- Poop bags, or litter and a small litter tray for cats
- Their bed or blanket, which helps them settle in new places
- A few favorite toys and chews
- Towels and cleaning supplies for accidents
- A basic pet first aid kit
Safety in the car
- Secure your pet. Use a crash-tested harness attached to the seat belt, or a secured crate. Loose pets can distract you and be badly hurt in a sudden stop.
- Keep heads inside. Dogs leaning out of windows can be hit by debris.
- Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. Even on a mild day, the inside of a car can become dangerously hot within minutes.
- Stop every two to three hours for a drink, a short walk and a bathroom break.
Keeping your pet calm
- Feed a light meal a few hours before you set off, not right before.
- Keep the car cool and quiet, with soft music if it helps.
- Bring something that smells like home.
- Stick to your pet's usual routine for meals and walks as much as you can.
With the right preparation, your pet can be the best travel companion you've ever had.