Four Legs, Four Wheels: How to Travel by Car with Your Pet

The road trip is back, baby! Now that some COVID restrictions are being lifted, thoughts are turning to going anywhere but home.
But there’s someone who’s just loved having you at home, and that’s your pet.
If you’re thinking about taking a road trip, your pet’s going to miss you. A lot. But if he or she is the adventurous type, taking your pet on the road might be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever share.

Is Car Travel Right for Your Pet?
First, you’ll have to decide if traveling by car is a good idea for your pet. All pets are individuals, just like people. Some will relish car travel, and others will be unsettled by it.

• See how your pet feels by inviting them into your parked car. Keep the engine off at first, so as not to scare a potentially timid pet. Use gentle encouragement when urging them into the vehicle.
• If your pet passes this initial test, take it a step further. Coax them into the car with the engine running to see how they respond to the noise and vibration.
• Finally, take your pet for a couple of test drives. See how he or she responds on local roads as well as on a stretch of highway.

If you recognize signs of distress in your pet, it may be better to leave them in the care of someone you trust for the duration of your trip. Hosting a pet sitter in your own home is ideal. Disruption to a pet’s routine and unfamiliar surroundings can be anxiety-producing.

Seat Belts Save Animal Lives, Too
As a passenger in your car, your pet will face the same hazards that any person would. A seat belt could save their life.

For some pets, like dogs, there are car safety seats that incorporate your existing seat belt. Some allow for limited but comfortable movement (and the all-important ability to stick their head out of the window) while still preventing fatal impact in the event of an accident, or even a short stop.

Some dog safety seats resemble car seats for children. Others are more like dog beds that allow the dog to nestle in while staying securely tethered to the seat belt.
Other pets may feel more secure in a crate stowed safely in the back of the vehicle. When deciding whether or not car travel is right for your pet, keep in mind how they respond to the confinement of a travel carrier.

Sit, Stay, Eat!
When traveling with a pet by car, it’s important to plan ahead. For example, you may be able to control your bladder or ignore your rumbling belly through the next couple of rest stops, but your pet may not.
Be prepared to meet your pet’s needs promptly when they arise.

• Map out the rest stops along the way. If your pet is on a predictable schedule, consider which rest stops you’ll be closest to when your pet expects food or an outdoor break.
• What about meals? Be sure to pack extra food, even if you know where you’ll be able to buy pet food along your route. You never know what might stand between you and a visit to a supermarket or pet store. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Always bring some provisions.

If your pet eats refrigerated food, it’s easy enough to pack a cooler and replenish fresh ice along the way if necessary. You can also buy coolers and mini-fridges that plug into your car’s dashboard.


Fast food is never a good idea for pets, as it can easily cause stomach upset. Eating in a moving car can do the same. (Do you really want to deal with vomit or diarrhea in such close quarters?)


Perhaps more importantly, fast food can contain ingredients that are outright toxic to pets, such as onions and garlic.


However, you might get lucky and find yourself near an eatery with a pet-safe menu. Here’s one website that maps them.

• Planning an overnight or multi-day road trip? You’ll need a place to stay, even if you’re traveling with your pet in an RV. Be sure that your targeted RV parks are pet-friendly. Many hotels and motels offer pet-friendly rooms as well.

Never Forget: Overheated Vehicles Can Be Deadly to Pets
You might think leaving your pet in the car is safe enough on a mild day, but cars can heat up quickly in all kinds of weather. On a 70° day, the inside of your vehicle can quickly climb to 90°. Within half an hour, that temperature can escalate to 120°. Never leave an animal alone in a closed car, as this can cause fatal heat stroke.

​For your animal’s comfort on the move, consider buying a cooling mat.
Taking a road trip with your pet is possible, and it could be a ton of fun. You’ll never forget the quality time you spent with your best friend. And you never know – the next time your pet has a pleasant dream, it might be a remembrance of the fascinating sights they enjoyed on their great adventure with you.

CONTENT WRITER, BARKTIQUE + MEOW

Kim Brittingham

Kim Brittingham is a content writer for Barktique + Meow, animal lover, and history buff residing at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of Read My Hips (Three Rivers Press/Random House, 2011) and Write That Memoir Right Now (Blackstone, 2013). She's a willing servant to a rescued miniature poodle named Clarice.