go pet friendly road trip planner

Skip to main content

Planning a Pup-Friendly Road Trip

Your dog is your favorite person anyway — why not plan the perfect vacation with them?

share article

Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. (Then give them a treat.)

Sign up for product updates, offers, and learn more about The Wildest, and other Mars Petcare brands . Must be over 16 years to sign up. See our privacy statement to find out how we collect and use your data, to contact us with privacy questions or to exercise your personal data rights.

Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer vacations — and road trips with dogs, of course. Whether you are thinking of going on a brewery tour opens in a new tab with your pup or heading to the beach opens in a new tab , there are plenty of dog-friendly travel options. But there are a few things to consider before heading off on that spectacular road trip with your pup.

How do I prepare for a road trip with dogs?

Road trips with dogs involve a decent amount of time in the car, so it’s important to think about how your dog will safely ride opens in a new tab with you. A crate opens in a new tab or specially designed dog seatbelt (that is well-fitted) will help keep your dog safe in the event of an accident while also preventing distractions while you drive. The crate or seatbelt should be set up in the backseat, away from airbags which can be fatal. When you’re going on a road trip with dogs, the cargo area of hatchbacks and SUVs isn’t ideal because of crumple zones, where the most damage could happen to a vehicle. But you might need to put a crate there because of space restraints if you’re traveling with multiple people.

Oh, and be sure to get your dog used to their restraint before you need to use it by easing them into longer rides. You don’t want a multi-hour road trip to be their first time in a crate or seat belt.

5 Dog-Friendly Oregon Beaches opens in a new tab

All 363 miles of the state’s coastline are publicly accessible, and almost beaches all are pet-friendly.

How can I ensure my pup is safe during the road trip?

As cute as it is to have your pup’s head hanging out of the window opens in a new tab , it's important to secure them safely in your car opens in a new tab . Follow these steps to ensure the safest way to drive with a dog:

1. Schedule lots of stops.

Let your dog get out of the car to stretch, pee or poop, and burn off some energy.

2. Start with shorter journeys.

Some dogs get nauseous in the car, so it’s best to slowly build up to longer trips.

3. Don’t feed while driving.

Instead, feed your dog at least three hours before your trip, especially if they get motion sickness. Keep them hydrated along the way.

19 of the Best Car Travel Gear for Dogs opens in a new tab

All the essentials you need to hit the road with your co-pilot, from dog seatbelts to crash-tested carriers.

4. Don’t let your dog hang out the window.

It’s generally not safe, and it’s not good for their eyes. The wind can dry them out and may also expose them to flying debris. 

5. Don’t give them treats on the trip.

Dogs have been known to choke while eating in transit, so don’t risk it.

6. When you arrive, check the floor of the hotel room carefully.

Dangerous medication in the form of pills is often dropped on hotel floors.

7. Don’t leave your pets in the room unattended. 

This is against most hotels’ pet policies, and also increases the likelihood they might damage something in the room.

8. Be mindful of people and dogs you encounter.

Especially in hallways and elevators — as hard as it is to believe, not everyone wants to say “hi” to your dog.

How to Take Silly Little Mental Health Hikes With Your Dog opens in a new tab

It’s good for you both — promise.

What should I consider when choosing a destination for my dog-friendly road trip?

When you’re planning for the best road trip with a dog, you won’t have much difficulty finding pet-friendly accommodations because of the growing market for vacationing with pups. Most websites can filter hotel search results by pet-friendly accommodations and let you know of any size limitations. Websites like Go Pet Friendly opens in a new tab  and Bring Fido opens in a new tab will list only dog-friendly lodging, including campgrounds. Online reviews are invaluable for narrowing down choices. TripAdvisor opens in a new tab is a great choice since there are millions of users, and you can search reviews by keywords such as “dog” or “pet.” Check out our list of 51 spots for awesome dog-friendly summer trips opens in a new tab .

How do I plan the route on my dog friendly road trip?

When figuring out how to road trip with a dog, check your route for pet-friendly spots in the major cities that you’ll pass through. Go Pet Friendly’s Road Trip Planner opens in a new tab has lots of road trip essentials for dogs and lets you map your route and view pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, and stores along the way. Many restaurants with outdoor seating allow pets, but not all, and policies can change, so be sure to call ahead to confirm.

What are the rules for dog parks on my route?

Abide by park leash laws, as tempting as it is to let your dogs run around outside.

Don’t leave bagged poop on the side of the trail. Even biodegradable bags opens in a new tab take a long time to degrade. It’s preferable to carry out the bag until you see a trash can or bury the poop (without the bag) off the trail.

Follow trail etiquette opens in a new tab , such as yielding to passing hikers and keeping your pup close and under control.

You’ve Got a Summer-Lovin’ Pup. Here’s How to Keep Them Safe opens in a new tab

Some like it hot (but not most dogs). Here are the season’s health hazards, from fleas to foxtails.

How do I make sure nothing bad happens to my dog on the road trip?

Before you leave on your trip, make sure microchips opens in a new tab and identification tags are updated with your current cell phone number because that will be your main point of contact.

Carry a photo of your dogs so that you have it handy in case one of them gets lost.

Look up the closest emergency hospital to the hotels you’ll be staying at along the way. This way, you’re not scrambling to find a veterinarian if something happens.

What are the best tips for dogs on road trips?

Remember to take enough breaks to let your dogs stretch their legs and have pee breaks.

Have snacks and water handy so your pups don’t get hungry or dehydrated. 

Be careful when leaving your dogs in the car when it’s warm out opens in a new tab . Cars can heat up to a dangerous level even if it’s only 60 degrees outside.

Attach important information to your dog’s crate that would be invaluable in a car accident.

The Macro Benefits of Microchipping Your Dog opens in a new tab

Sure, microchips can feel a little 1984 . But if your pup has a chip, they’re four times more likely to make it home if they get lost.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

1) how can i keep my pup entertained during the road trip.

Give your dog a safe chew toy they can’t choke on in the car, and make sure to plan stops so you can get outside and play with them if it’s a long trip.

2) What are the tips for making the car ride more comfortable for my pup?

Remember to take enough breaks to let your dogs stretch their legs and potty, and have snacks and water handy so your pups don’t get hungry or dehydrated. 

4) What are the precautions I should take when visiting new environments with my pup?

Ensure microchips and identification tags are updated with your current cell phone number, and look up the closest emergency hospital to the hotels you’ll be staying at.

5) What should I feed my dog before a long road trip?

Don’t give your dog food the day of a long road trip to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting. Instead keep your pup hydrated and feed them on arrival.

Planning a road trip with your dog this summer? opens in a new tab

Tips for a dog-friendly road trip opens in a new tab

How to Road Trip with Dogs for the Best Vacation Ever opens in a new tab

How to Road Trip with a Dog Like a Pro opens in a new tab

Road Trips and Car Travel With Your Dog opens in a new tab

• dog opens in a new tab
• dog lifestyle opens in a new tab
• dog safety opens in a new tab
• dog travel opens in a new tab
• summer opens in a new tab

JoAnna Lou is a New York City-based researcher, writer and agility enthusiast.

Related articles

8 Dog-Friendly Travel Destinations in the Southeast

Find the perfect weekend getaway for you and your pup.

Road Trip Tips for Wanderlusting Pet Parents

Bring your pet along for the ride with these pro tips from a dog trainer.

5 Dog-Friendly Nature Spots around LA for Hiking, Camping & Zenning Out

LA wellness guru Dave Coast opens in a new tab shares his favorite places to escape the city with his Poodle.

51 Dog-Friendly Spots to Visit With Your Pup This Summer

Where to go and what to do — from Alabama to Wyoming.

How To Hike With Your Dog

How to get your gear — and your pup — ready to go.

Best Dog Route Planner (Planning A Road Trip With Your Dog)

Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by Rose Morah

To plan a successful cross-country road trip with your dog, you will need a good dog route planner. 

This article discusses one of the best dog route planner websites that helps you plan a trip in just under 5 minutes.

But first, the following are the advantages of using a dog road trip planner:

• It helps you to save time and is less stressful. 
• It helps you choose the best route for your road trip.
• You get a clear picture of what your trip will look like.
• It helps you enjoy a smooth and seamless dog road trip.
• It is flexible. You can plan an emergency route that includes dog clinics.

Petswelcome is one of the best dog trip planner websites that helps you plan your route. It allows you to add stopovers and dog-friendly hotels within your route.

The following are steps for planning a road trip with your dog on Petswelcome.

1. Add your starting point and destination

• How to select the hotel's pet fee on Petswelcome dog route planner.

How to check the dog weight limit on these hotels

How to check the maximum number of pets allowed per room, how to add stopovers on your route, how to get hard copy directions for your trip, how to plan an emergency route on a road trip with a dog.

(Check out the screenshot below)

What I love about this dog route planner is the fact that it allows me to select hotels near my main route. I just need to adjust the miles, as seen in the screenshot below.

See also: 8 Best Pet Transportation Services – Best Pet Shipping Companies .

2. Select your preferred hotel along your route

So, once you’ve entered your starting location and your destination, go ahead and click on ‘Go.’ 

Your route will be automatically mapped- as seen below.

See also: 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps/Websites (As Recommended by Travelers) .

How to select the hotel’s pet fee on Petswelcome dog route planner.

Select “Add to your trip,” as seen in the screenshot below

You may also like 15 Tips for Taking Your Dog Camping For The First Time .

See also 13 Must-Have Dog Camping Accessories .

If you are traveling with a big dog, then this will be important.

The screenshot below is about how to check the weight limits.

Once you have identified the ideal hotels for you and your dog, you will need to find out the maximum number of dogs allowed and the fee you will pay per night. This is important, especially if you are traveling with more than one dog.  

Refer to the screenshot below.

So, to check, click on “more info” just below the hotel. 

See also: 28 Best and Must-have Road Trip Car Accessories .

Remember, frequent stopovers are a must when you’re planning a long road trip with your dog!

This dog route planner website comes in handy when planning your stopovers.

What I love most about this dog route planner is the fact that it gives you a detailed guide to the location of dog-friendly hotels. Therefore, I don’t get lost along the way. 

Additionally, it allows you to save , share and print a copy of it. The screenshot below will show you exactly what I am talking about. To get this feature, you just need to click on “Get directions with Selected Hotels.”

Anything can happen while on your road trip. For example, your dog might get sick. This is common for some dogs, especially those that have not been on long drives. 

The Petswelcome app will help you plan an emergency route with facilities/services you may need during your road trip.

You just click on ‘plan an emergency route,’ as seen below.

This will enable you to plan your route, as seen below.

You can also get the dog/pet clinic contacts by clicking on “more info,” just below the Pet clinic.

That’s it. I hope this guide will help you plan your next road with your dog. In less than 5 minutes, you are done.

Hello there! My name is Rose. I’m passionate about electric cars and clean energy. My adventurous spirit and journalistic pursuits make each day fascinating and far greater. I consider traveling not just about the grandeur moments, but the little elements that transform the whole experience.

Related Posts

How To Sleep In The Car Overnight (Best Tips & Hacks)

How To Quickly Fall Asleep In The Car

How To Sleep In A Small Car (Best Tips & Hacks)

• Car Buying Tips
• Destinations
• Car Road Trip
• Motorcycle Road Trip
• Travel Tips

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Furtropolis by Outward Hound

Furtropolis SM

Windows Down, Head Out: The Ultimate Dog Road Trip Planner

As the weather becomes nicer, pet owners are considering going on a road trip with their dog for the first time. A dog road trip planner is key to keeping things organized when preparing to hit the road.

While you’re super excited about it, at the same time, you want to ensure that your dog is healthy and happy the entire car ride and has a positive experience exploring the open road. After all, he’s never done this before, and you aren’t exactly sure how he will react.

Before you set out for the adventure of a lifetime, read these tips for taking your dog on a road trip so both of you can have a wonderful time.

Go on Short Trips for Practice

If you’re taking a long road trip that could last for days or weeks on end, then dog owners should practice by bringing your dog along for short trips. This could include a weekend getaway or a day trip to somewhere nearby just to see how he reacts.

Does he need to use the potty every hour or so? Does he have to drink from his water bowl every few hours? You’ll know how to better prepare for longer road trips if you do a quick practice round.

Get the Right Safety Gear

When you’re driving, your dog should not be loose in the car. Not only is it distracting, but if you get into an accident, he could get seriously hurt. It’s best to  restrain your dog  in a carrier in the backseat that connects to a seat belt. The carrier needs to be big enough that your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down to get comfortable.

A car hammock seat cover, car seat, or car harness are other good safety tools that prevent your dog from sliding to the floor.

PupBoost Dog Car Seat

$39.99 $0.00.

Keep your pup safe, and your car’s seats clean, with the Outward Hound Lookout Booster Seat. This doggy seat protector keeps your dog safely in the back seat during drives. Doing double duty, this car accessory also protects your vehicle’s seats from hair and muddy paws! Explore new ground with Outward Hound Gear! Our high-quality performance gear will keep your pup safely equipped for every new…

View Details

PupShield Protective Backseat Car Hammock, Black

Keep your pup safe, and your car’s seats clean, with the Outward Hound PupShield Hammock. This doggy seat protector keeps your dog safely in the back seat during drives. Doing double duty, this car accessory also protects your vehicle’s seats from hair and muddy paws! Explore new ground with Outward Hound Gear! Our high-quality performance gear will keep your pup safely equipped for every new…

You should also bring a dog life jacket if you’re going to be taking your pooch to the water. It’ll give you some peace of mind that your canine best friend is safe when he’s taking a dip.

Bring a Pet First Aid Kit

You never know when you’re going to run into trouble. If you have a pet first aid kit on hand, you can be more prepared if disaster strikes. In your  pet first aid kit , you might include:

• adhesive tape
• saline eye solution
• absorbent gauze pads
• antibiotic ointment
• alcohol wipes
• an extra supply of his medicine, supplements, and dog food
• 3% hydrogen peroxide (in case you need to make your dog vomit)

Additionally, if your dog gets motion sick/car sickness, pack  anti-nausea drugs and antihistamines . Just make sure you ask your veterinarian which ones are best for your pooch and how much to give them each time he’s acting sick. Keeping your windows rolled down a few inches should also help with the motion sickness.

Save Space: Take Portable Food and Water Bowls

When you’re creating your road trip planner, you might not think about how much space you’re going to have in your car. If you’re going on a long trip, it’s likely packed to the gills. Save some room and bring collapsible food and water bowls that you can easily store as well as hook onto your leash for walks.

Port-A-Bowl Portable Dog Dish, Green, Large

$7.49 $6.49.

The collapsible Port-A-Bowl from Outward Hound was designed for easy hydration and snacks on-the-go. This brightly colored dog bowl fits 48 oz and folds flat to easily tuck into a backpack, pocket, or purse, providing an accessible and convenient option while travelling or exploring the outdoors! It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and even fits in our Outward Hound dog backpacks. Note: The Port-A-Bowl is…

Never Keep Him in a Hot Car

A dog-friendly road trip is not dog-friendly at all if you leave him in a hot car . If it’s warm outside, your car can quickly heat up. Even if it’s just 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the car can become intolerable for your dog.

On the flip side, temperatures lower than 35 degrees Fahrenheit are unsafe, too. If you’re going on a road trip with your loved one or friend, ask them to stay with your dog or walk them around when you have to leave your car. This is a good time for your dog to pee and poop and get a drink from his water bowl as well.

Make Frequent Potty Stops

Normally, dogs need to  pee every four to six hours . However, when you’re on the road, your dog may become dehydrated more easily and drink more water to make up for it. This means he’ll need frequent potty breaks.

It’s a good idea to pull over at a rest stop and stretch frequently, too, so you can stay alert behind the wheel. When you need to refuel at a gas station, let your dog out for a little bit. Your pooch will appreciate getting a little walk and exploring different places along the way.

Don’t forget to pack extra poop bags for those bathroom breaks!

Find Local Dog Parks, Dog-Friendly Trails, and Dog Beaches

When making the perfect road trip planner, don’t forget to find dog-friendly destinations and fun pit stops. For instance, you could log onto  BringFido  to locate nearby pet-friendly restaurants, dog parks, and dog beaches. You could also check out  GoPetFriendly , which has suggestions for things to do with your dog along the road, such as going to the Grand Canyon in Arizona or a campsite in Colorado.

If you’re going cross-country, you could visit national parks and national forests – just make sure they are dog-friendly before booking your reservation. Since there are wild animals running around state parks, you should keep your dog on a short leash at all times and not veer off the people- and dog-friendly hiking trails.

If you’re going to be hiking when it’s getting darker out, putting a reflective vest on your pup is a good idea. You could also put a  hiking backpack on your dog  to ensure he gets enough exercise and is sufficiently tired out before hopping back into the car.

If you are visiting watering holes, get a dog life jacket for safety. The best dog life vests will have adjustable straps and sufficient padding for a secure fit.

See if you can plan your gas station stops along your route where your pup can stretch his legs, too.

Have a Copy of His Medical Records on Hand

Just in case there’s an emergency, you should bring along a copy of your pup’s medical records. It’s a good idea to store them on your phone and have hard copies because you could end up in an area where you have bad cell phone service.

The medical records should include a list of vaccinations your dog has gotten, which may be necessary if you’re staying in an Airbnb or other pet-friendly accommodations that need to see them. Make sure you save your primary veterinarian’s phone number so you can get in touch with any questions.

You may also want to think about staying in areas where there is at least one pet hospital nearby so that you can get emergency treatment should something happen.

Tip: Consider getting a microchip with updated contact information put in if your dog is prone to ‘pulling a Houdini’.

Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations

There are a number of hotel chains that provide  pet-friendly accommodations  for you and your canine best friend. They include Aloft Hotels, Best Western, Comfort Inn, Clarion Inn & Suites, Courtyard Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, Red Roof Inn, and Sheraton.

When searching for a pet-friendly hotel for your cross-country road trip, you should click the “pets allowed” option on sites like Hotels.com and TripAdvisor to filter out the results. Some dog-friendly hotels may even provide a dog bed for you!

Even if a place is dog friendly, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be a pet fee. Keep an eye out for these fees in their pet policies so there are no surprises when checking in. Be sure to clean up messes that have been left behind before checking out.

Ensuring Your Doggy Road Trip Goes Smoothly

Prior to hitting the road, make sure you follow these travel tips and create a pet-friendly road trip planner prior. Take frequent breaks, hydrate, pack his favorite toys, and overall, keep your dog safe. Then you can pretty much guarantee that you and your furry friend are going to have an amazing time together out on the open road.

For a packing list of key items to take with you, check out:

14 Essential Items to Bring on Your Next Road Trip With Your Dog

10 of the Best Cat Toys for Exercise

3 Benefits of Chewing for Puppies

• Find a Location

How To Plan A Dog-Friendly Road Trip

We travel with a 65-pound Norwegian Elkhound named Bo. He’s 5 ½ years old now and has literally grown up RVing.

He is very popular among our followers. In fact, the other day at a gas statio off I-65 in Alabama, I was with him in a doggie exercise area when a couple who follow us on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel recognized Bo. They pulled over and jumped out to come meet him. They were so excited it was as if they met a celebrity. They would have asked Bo for his autograph if he could hold a pen. When Bo went off sniffing, they turned to Jennifer and me and asked what is probably the most common question we get from our followers who travel with dogs:

“How do you keep Bo safe and happy when you bring him on an RV road trip?”

We answered as best we can as traffic whizzed past and Bo explored the fenced in area. But as we all went our way again, I kept thinking of things I wish I had time to tell that couple. Hopefully, they’ll read this article! Here are 7 tips that will help your road trip be a success for you and your dog:

Planning a Road Trip with Your Dog

An unfortunate fact of the road is that while you LOVE your dog, not everywhere does. In fact, due to the number of irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs run wild and don’t clean up after them, there are a lot of establishments that don’t allow dogs at all.

There are also times when you want to get away and enjoy a nice meal or go to a movie but leaving your dog alone in the RV can feel like a scary prospect. Even with the AC on, it’s hard to be sure of the internal temperature and there are even some states where it’s illegal to leave a dog unsupervised in a vehicle!

All these factors can make planning a multi-week trip with your dog seems like a daunting task! Thankfully, there are several resources to help plan out your road trip with ease.

GoPetFriendly.com

The best site, hands-down, for RVers who travel with their pets is www.gopetfriendly.com . This is a website with a database of over 65,000 dog-friendly areas across the US and Canada. The site lists everything from hotels, campgrounds, beaches, wineries, restaurants, and dog parks to pet supply stores, vets and doggy daycares. If you’re on the road and find a spot not listed, you can even contribute to the website.

The thing that Jennifer and I like the most about Go Pet Friendly though is the Road Trip Planner. Just put in your starting and ending locations, as well as any stops you’ll be making on the way and along with your directions you’ll be able to see all the dog-friendly places on the route that you’re taking!

Here are some other resources that have been suggested to us to help plan your trip:

• RVParky is a great RV Park/campground directory with a filter setting to see areas with “Pets Allowed” and “Pet Area”
• Allstays has a filter for “Pet-Friendly Hotels”
• RV Trip Wizard is another good RV Park/campground directory to see pet-friendly places
• National and State Park information websites are also a wealth of information on which areas are dog-friendly
• PetDesk is an app that keeps everything pet-related on track and in one place. Medications and recurring treatments can be easy to forget, especially with so many other concerns on the road.
• BringFido helps travelers find pet-friendly hotels and attractions like dog parks, doggie beaches – even restaurants where canines are welcome. The app allows for in-depth research on pet policies so users know if they can bring big dog. BringFido includes a rating system so owners can see what others think of it. It’s free for iOS.

Before you set off on your trip, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to make sure that if your dog runs off, you’re in the best position possible to find him before anything happens. The biggest concern that RVers face is that we are constantly traveling into new areas. Always being in a new place can be exciting for your dog but it can also make him anxious or nervous. There are lots of new smells, new sounds to distract him – things that you probably aren’t even aware of!

The best preventative measure you can take is to start training your dog , even if you’ve never worked with him before. Having a dog that listens to you and doesn’t have a “mind of his own” 100% of the time is a huge advantage and gives you a lot of peace of mind…But, even a dog that has been well-trained can get spoked and run off.

Microchip your pet

A microchip can be implanted by your vet and should only be a one-time cost of $25-50. If your pet is found, a microchip will be one of the first things a shelter or vet will look for and they can contact you using the personal information on the chip.

Finally, the most effective way to track down a lost dog that we’ve heard of is a pretty nifty system called a Marco Polo trac king system. The Marco Polo system is a radio tracking device (not a GPS tracking device, so no GPS or cell network is required). This is a system attached to your dog’s collar, it doesn’t need cell service or Wi-Fi (in case you’re out boondocking) and it’s completely waterproof with no monthly fee.

If your dog goes missing it’s a single button-push to begin searching with real-time distance and direction feedback. It uses a rechargeable battery on your dog’s collar which lasts up to 6 weeks while being continuously monitored.

What to bring for your dog on the road trip

We have a camping gear list to pack before we go out on any RV trip, so it only makes sense that we have a dog checklist as well. Having a checklist gives us a little peace of mind that we haven’t forgotten anything for Bo. After all, forgetting something little like shot & immunization records from the vet can really mess you up if you’re trying to board him for the day (a lot of places won’t take a dog that doesn’t have the right papers!).

Here is our checklist for traveling with a dog:

• Dog collar with ID
• Long leash (to tie to tree/picnic table)
• Six-foot short leash for walks
• Food and water bowls
• A towel for when he gets dirty
• His favorite treats and a treat bag to carry them in
• Cooling pad to keep Bo cool during the summer
• Waste Management: Lots and lots of poop bags and a poop bag holder/dispenser.
• Copies of his health/vaccine records and regular veterinarian’s contact info
• Dog brushes and a small handheld vacuum cleaner if you have a dog like our BO that sheds like crazy!
• Dog shampoo

  This is just a partial list. Add your own items, like your pet’s favorite toy, their medicines, their bed, etc.

Keeping Your Dog safe while the RV is in Motion

One of the biggest challenges pet owners face is keeping the dog restrained while the RV is moving . Restraining your dog while traveling is just like having a child put on their seat belt. In the case of an accident, your dog is going to keep moving and turn into a projectile that can end up hurting you and them.

Check out this comment from a reader:

“We had a close call one day and ended up with our 2 large dogs being thrown forward–one under the dash and the other striking me in the head as he was tossed into the windshield. No serious damage done to any of us but that led me to research restraints for the dogs. We now use a system that hooks into the passenger seat belt and clips to a harness on the dog.“

Or this reader:

“Having had the unpleasant experience of having both of my 70 lb. rescue dogs hitting the back of my car seats during an emergency stop; I don’t want them going through the windshield of my Class A. So I use harnesses with 6-foot leashes that are hooked into the sofa seat belts…”

The two major ways you can restrain your dog while in the RV are by using a crate or a safety belt, combined with a vehicle safety harness, all available from pet shops or online.

Crates are best when traveling, but a harness that is attached to a seat or other stationary object is excellent, too. If you were in an accident, your pet is contained and not flying through the vehicle or worse.

There are a lot of types of crates and dog harnesses out there based on your rig, how many dogs and how big your dogs are. If you aren’t satisfied with a safety belt combined with a vehicle safety harness, to do some more research, there’s a good Facebook group called “Dog Sport Vehicle Ideas & Setups” that has a lot of reviews and specifics about different brands, etc.

It’s good to remember as well, not only is it important to secure a dog in a vehicle for safety reasons, but it is the law now in some states.

Make sure to do your own research on local laws but it is currently illegal to have a dog without a crate or unleashed in your vehicle in Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.

Getting exercise for your dog

Just like their human companions, most dogs need daily exercise! Being cooped up in an RV for hours on end is even more uncomfortable for your dog than it is for you! Making sure your dog can get enough exercise on the road is a problem that we hear about all the time from our readers. A dog without enough exercise can be extremely moody, high-energy, and prone to bark or whine.

When driving, we try to stop every 90 minutes or so for Bo to stretch his legs. He gets one or two walks a day, of at least 20 minutes and, as many times as we can squeeze it in, a visit to a fenced-in, leash-free dog park in whatever area we happen to be visiting. Finding dog parks on the road is an essential part of planning your trip. All those hours on the road without exercise are not good for anyone – owners or dogs.

The best apps we’ve used for finding dog parks are Dog Park Finder Plu s (for iOS) and BarkHappy (for iOS and Android devices)

We also like to use the site Hike With Your Dog to plan out our trips. Just put in the state you’re traveling through and park and hiking recommendations pop up. It will tell you if any national, state, or local parks allow dogs and give links out to each individual park as well as contact info if you want to call ahead and double-check. This site is also great for finding dog-friendly beaches. It will show which beaches are open to dogs or are seasonal dog friendly beaches.

Monitoring the temperature inside the RV

Another big worry for pet owners is keeping the temperature inside the RV at a safe level when the pet is left alone. As dog owners, we have a responsibility to make sure our dogs have safe conditions when we take them in our vehicles. BUT on the road there are times when we would like a couple hours to ourselves to go on a hike or beach or to eat at a restaurant they aren’t allowed at.

We all know that RVs can heat up FAST so we want to be confident the temperature in our RV is safe for our dog when we are out and about for a few minutes to several hours. The best way to monitor the internal temperature of your RV is with a temperature sensor on the inside of the RV. There are several temperature sensors on the market.

Make sure that you do a bit of research before you buy so that you can find the system that works best for your needs. Some of these only give updates in 30 min intervals rather than real-time or don’t work without WiFi or cell service.

Even without a temperature monitor, here are some tips to keep your dog cool when these situations pop up:

• Find a shaded area to leave your RV in, even a little bit of shading can go a long way versus direct sunlight
• Get some sun shields or shades for your front and side windows, we use these. Covering windows with reflective windshield covers seriously cuts down the internal temperature of your RV
• Keep the AC running! This one is obvious but it has to be said so we cover our bases here. And for those of you who have one, turn on the generator if you’re going to be gone more than 30 mins. Some RVs have automatic systems that start an engine generator whenever the batteries get below the voltage level needed to power the AC.
• Get a cooling pad, which is essentially a mat made out of cold gel! The pad is soft and the gel inside is noticeably cool to the touch. Bo loves it. He finds it very comfy and in hot weather, prefers it to the thick cloth bed he usually sleeps on. We put it on the floor of our RV for him. And when we are at a campsite, we put it down on top of the ground pad under the awning. Camping World has a selection for all sizes of dogs.

Finding dogsitters on the road

Every once in a while on the road there are times where, no matter what you try, dogs just don’t fit in. We had a situation come up a few years ago with our dog at the time, Tai.

We were on a long trip west but the first part of that trip was a week in suburban Memphis where our grandson was in a baseball tournament. This posed a major dilemma. We were staying with the rest of the team’s parents and grandparents in a hotel where dogs were not allowed. And the sports complex where the games were being played did not allow dogs on the grounds either.

Added to that was the notorious Memphis heat. The temperatures were in the mid 90s each day, with heat indexes well over 100. So leaving Tai in our RV, even with the air conditioning running, just wasn’t a good idea. If that AC should fail, the heat buildup inside the coach would be potentially fatal. We thought of leaving him 1,000 miles away, back in Michigan. But to take him on the trip west, which was to begin once the tournament ended, would have meant 1,000 miles back north before we could start west.

We found the solution from a website called Rover.com which lists thousands of trusted dog sitters who are willing to board pets in their own homes, just as if they were members of the family. As it turned out, the family that kept Tai for us lived just a block from the dog park. Since then, now with Bo, we have used Rover services all across the country. We’ve even had Rover sitters come to the campground, take Bo for the day and then return him to us in the evening.

Another solution that we’ve used many times when we need to work or visit somewhere that Bo isn’t allowed is to find doggie daycare in the area. Just Google “doggie day care”  in the area you are visiting and you’ll find lots of chices. Bo loves dogge day care. He gets a cool place to hang out with some doggie buddies during the day and we get to explore places where he isn’t allowed. We drop him off in the morning and pick him up around 5. Bo gets supervised playtime, a nice comfy private kennel and seems to love going there. Some of the doggie day care centers we’ve used even have webcams that we can call up on our smartphones to see how Bo is doing.

So there you go. We hope that this has been helpful to you. We wish you and your dog Happy Trails and Happy Tails.

• Comment (6)

Good info. I will be going on my very first trip to Florida in February, hopefully in a cargo van….with 3 dogs! I’m nervous but looking forward to it. Thank you for the information!

What is a good RV temperature sensor. There is “free wifi at the RV park that I am currently at but it is unreliable. Is there any one that is stand alone or do I need to hook up a hot spot? I want one that alerts me on my smart phone (iphone). Thanks, (love your streams / utube), DebR

This was so helpful!!!

Thanks for the helpful tip, Connie!

I use the “Waggle” brand pet temperature monitor. It runs on a rechargeable battery & does not use WiFi. You have an app on your phone & you’re notified if the temperature is out of the range you’ve set for your rv. It also will tell you if the electricity is lost in your rv along with other things. It uses Verizon cell towers so as long as you have cell service you’re good to go. It was on sale July 4 th for $99. You also need to buy a subscription.

I have been using Waggle. You can set the time for reports and I get them on my iphone. So far, the best I’ve tried.

Leave Your Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Shop By RV Type

Your Adventure Awaits

Copyright © 2023 cwi, llc all rights reserved.

• RV Glossary |
• Privacy Policy |
• California Privacy Rights |
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information |
• Targeted Advertising Opt Out |
• Terms of Use

• Login / My Account

7 Great Websites for Planning Dog-Friendly Vacations

Do you love to get away, but hate leaving your dog? You could kennel them or hire a pet sitter—or better yet, you could take them with you! Vacationing with your dog lets you take a break and see new places without missing your best friends (or them missing you!)

Traveling with a dog takes a little planning.

The good news? More and more people want to travel with their pets, so there are resources to help you find the information you need before you go. Before you jump in the car or head for the airport with your pup, do a little research.

These 7 websites can help plan your trip:

Whether you’re looking for a place to stay, eat or let your pup to run off-leash, Bring Fido home can help you find it. You can also find pet stores, vets, and dog friendly events. Search by destination anywhere in the world, or use their list of most pet friendly destinations to choose where to travel. Have a specific question? Call one of their pet experts or tap into the knowledge of other dog-loving travelers in their forum.

Go Pet Friendly

Planning a road trip? Go Pet Friendly can help you plan it. Select your start and end points along with the kinds of places—hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, services—you’re looking for, and Go Pet Friendly will show you options along your route. They boast over 60,000 locations within the United States and Canada. If you’re not sure where to go, check out their destination guides for dog-friendly cities.

Dog Friendly

Want to go check out a cattle drive or stroll through an aquarium? Is shopping your thing — or do you prefer baseball? Dog Friendly can help you find a place to stay, but it can also help you find unique or unexpected dog-friendly activities. Use their easy online search or check out their city guides and travel books to plan a vacation you and your dog will love.

Vacation Pet Friendly (discontinued)

Previously, you could find a hotel, B&B, or vacation rental—and book it. In the past, you could use their planning information to find dog beaches and parks, and those that are pet friendly. One of the more unique categories they used to list is dog-friendly wineries and vineyards. We are no longer sharing this link, but feel free to send us feedback with new resources and links that may help other pet parents plan their vacations.

Trips with Pets

Trips with Pets also helps you identify pet-friendly places to stay along your route. In addition, they have a list of chains that have consistent pet policies that can help you find lodging all over the country. Don’t forget about car rental. You can book a car rental with a pet-friendly policy directly through this site. Check out their travel tips and travel supply store too.

Southwest Airlines

Tap into these resources to locate dog-friendly businesses and recreation areas to make planning your trip easier. As you’re booking your travel, see if Southwest Airlines will get you to your destination. Pets under 25 pounds are allowed on domestic flights , provided they are in an approved carrier!

Walk this Weigh

San Diego-based Walk This Weigh not only offers pet sitting and at home pet exercising, but also contracts with pet friendly hotels to take care of your dogs while you enjoy non-pet vacation activities like visiting restaurants and amusement parks. It’s the best of both worlds — you get to bring your kids along for the trip without being tied to the hotel, allowing you to relax and enjoy while knowing your pet is playing, exercising and having fun in the care of a vacation nanny.

It’s Time to Book Your Trip!

And remember information can change. It’s a good idea to confirm dog-friendly policies when making reservations or before arriving at a restaurant or other destination.

Speaking of restaurants, we’ve got one more recommendation for you. You and your kid can enjoy dinner together as part of our Dine with Your Dog Program. My Perfect Pet food is made from restaurant-grade ingredients and is served in select eateries. Check out the list of dining spots for this growing program here .

So hit the road and have fun on your next vacation—with your dog.

The quick and easy guide to roadtripping with pets

How to keep your furry friends happy, safe, and entertained while on the road

By Brent Rose

It can get lonely out there on the open road. Perhaps you’d rather undertake the journey with your best friend as your wing-person … or, more accurately, wing-animal.

Traveling with pets can be extremely rewarding. They can offer comfort, companionship, and even added safety. That said, it’s not as simple as tossing your dog (or cat) in the car and pulling out of the driveway.

While there are the rare (but rad) people who bring their #AdventureCats on the road, the vast majority of those who travel with pets will be bringing their dogs. So, we’re going to primarily focus on that. That said, many of these tips will also apply to your cat, iguana, or micro pig.

Training Days

Start ‘em young, and start ‘em small. I reached out to my friend Kelly Panton (aka  @kellsnbellsadventure ) who has been documenting her adventures with her dog Bella for years. I asked her how she got her pooch used to constant travel.

She said that she was living two hours from her parents house when Bella was a puppy. And she and Bella would visit Kelly’s folks constantly.

“I think two hours was a great start for a puppy, because it is the perfect nap time length,” Panton told me. “So, I’d say start them young with short trips that gradually increase in length.

This gets your puppy used to the sights, sounds, and smells of road travel from a young age. Once you’ve established it as a normal, relaxing thing, your dog is very likely to be mellow about hitting the open road.

Kelly says the same goes for leaving pets in the car unattended. This is bound to be inevitable, when you’re out on long trips. We’ll talk about the safety factors there in a second. However, for training your pet to be OK alone in your vehicle, Kelly recommends starting small.

Run into the gas station for two minutes, and see how your pet does alone in the vehicle. Then, you can extend the absence a ten-minute grocery run. Eventually, your dog will come to think of your car as their personal chill-space.

Safety dance

When you’re traveling with your furry friend, you have to take their needs into account. Sometimes that means you aren’t going to be able to do everything you want to do.

“I really want to take Bella to Arizona. That will be a trip I have to plan in the winter, though, because I know she can’t handle the heat,” Kelly said.

Leaving your pet in a hot car is one of the most dangerous situations you can put it in. If you absolutely must leave them in the car for an errand or bathroom stop, keep it extremely quick. Remember to park in the shade, make sure the car has adequate airflow, and ensure your pet has plenty of water.

For example, Kelly always carries a seven-gallon jug of fresh water, as well as plenty of extra dog food—just in case.

A friend of mine sometimes leaves his dog in the car with the engine running and a large sign in the window that reads, “I am fine! The A/C is on. I have plenty of water, and my person will be right back. Please don’t break the window!” His dog seems to be happy with this arrangement. However, my friend emphasized that this is just for short errands. Leaving your pet in an idling car for hours can be dangerous as well.

Keeping your pet safe also means doing some research about the areas you intend to visit.

“Know your potential pet dangers,” Kelly says. “What animals are in the area? For example, are there venomous snakes, bears, moose, porcupines, etc. just off the road? What poisonous plants could your dog encounter? What are the weather conditions? Landscape (i.e. cliffs, roaring rivers, etc.) is another concern.”

Most of these things aren’t deal-breakers for bringing a pet on your road trip. That said, you should be prepared, observant, and constantly willing to adjust the length of your pet’s leash to match the situation at hand.

KEEPING YOUR PET SAFE ALSO MEANS DOING SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE AREAS YOU INTEND TO VISIT

If you’re going to be in a place for a little while, you should research the best vets and 24-hour animals hospitals nearby. The last thing you want to be doing is frantically Googling when your pet is having a serious medical issue.

Kelly also always carries a first-aid kit that can accommodate both human and dog needs. She recommends you do the same, especially if your pet requires any specific medication. Moreover, it would be wise for you to consider taking a pet first-aid class, too.

Apps to the rescue

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will not be shocked to learn that there are thousands of pet-focused apps on the various app marketplaces. While some of them are incredibly useful, others are absolute junk. Here are five from the former category, as recommended by dog-travel expert Kelly Panton.

Pet First Aid App by the American Red Cross (iOS and Android)

Frankly, Pet First Aid App is an absolute must-have for anybody with a pet, whether you travel or not. The app is easy to navigate and is full of information that could save your pet’s life. It helps you diagnose what the problem may be and gives you step-by-step, easy to follow actions. It can also help you get emergency help if you need it.

PetCoach (iOS and Android)

PetCoach puts you in touch with real, licensed vets, 24 hours a day, seven days a week—for free. With PetCoach, you can reach out if you need advice about a medical problem, training, and even diet. It can also help connect you with a good vet in your area.

Rover (iOS and Android)

Sometimes, you’ve gotta leave your dog. Maybe there’s a tough hike you’ve wanted to try, maybe you’ve got to fly home for an emergency, or maybe you just want to go to a fancy restaurant for the evening. Rover has an extensive database of background-checked dog walkers and sitters. You can search based on what you need and by dog type, pay securely through your app, and even get photo updates.

And there’s even Twindog (iOS and Android), which is, sigh… Tinder for dogs. You can’t make this stuff up, people. Like the dating app it’s based on, you set a profile for your dog and then swipe on other dogs in the area. If your dogs match then, heyo, they’ve got a doggy-date. It sounds a bit weird, but if you’re out there on the road and your pooch seems to need another dog to run around with for an afternoon it could actually be a great solution.

“Good luck with this one!” That’s what virtually every dog-owner I spoke to said about dealing with the issue of pet hair getting absolutely everywhere. Every single one of them advocated getting a bunch of old blankets and/or towels and putting them on pretty much anything and everything your pet may lay its paws or furry body on. It’s a lot easier to shake out a blanket (or throw it in the wash) than it is to get hair out of your car’s upholstery.

That said, while I am admittedly not a pet owner, I’ve lived and traveled in a van for three years now, and I’ve been using the  Black+Decker Max Lithium Flex Vacuum . It’s a powerful handheld vacuum with a long-lasting battery, and it has a detachable, flexible hose, which is extremely rare for small vacuums like that, and I say it’s borderline mandatory for vehicle life. It lets you get into all those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies and yes, it even has an attachment for pet hair. I heart this vacuum.

Do your research

“Sometimes [traveling with your pet] means you can’t go visit a park that you wanted to visit. Sometimes it means you can only eat outside on a patio, if you’re eating out at a restaurant,” Kelly said. “I typically spend hours researching an area to make sure I know all the pet-friendly areas. This includes potential camping areas, hiking trails, parks, and restaurants—if I plan on eating out.”

Pet-friendliness is not a given—even in parks. For example, a couple of friends of mine once planned a big trip to a ton of State Parks. Upon arrival, they discovered they couldn’t enter several of the parks with their dog. Understandably, this ruined some of their plans.

Many National Parks are fine with you dog, though they may require that they be kept on a short leash, in developed areas, or in your tent or campsite. Each park is different so it pays to do your homework.

Meet the Author

Brent Rose is a freelance writer and regular Outside contributor. He is currently traveling the U.S. living in a high tech van, looking for stories to tell. Follow his adventures on ConnectedStates.com.

• Related Articles
• Latest Articles

How to leave no trace during your summer road trip

7 tips for hiking and backpacking safely with your dog

How to find a safe place to park your RV or van for the night

Ideas for dog friendly road trips

The best festivals in the U.S.

What’s the Best AI Trip Planner?

Get the most inspiring stories from the road sent directly to your inbox..

• Trip guides
• Trip Planner
• Sign up Log in Sign out
• Log in Sign out
• ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP
• RV RESOURCES

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

• Member Resources

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Pet-Friendly Road Trip

Gemma Clarke  | Jun 7, 2022

Planning a road trip? You may be thinking of bringing your pet along with you! While many owners may choose not to bring their pet on the road, it is definitely possible to plan a safe and fun trip with your fur family.

You want your pet-friendly road trip to be an enjoyable and memorable experience. As your pet’s carer, you want to do everything you can to plan ahead and prepare your pet for a stress-free adventure.

So, to help you plan an epic ride with your pet, we're sharing 6 tips for a pet-friendly road trip.

1. Consider your pet’s personality and stress level

Many pets love to stay with their humans – and we love to stay with them! – and many have an adventurous spirit. Others, however, are less keen about travel and may even get sick or anxious during car trips. With this in mind, you should consider whether your pet’s temperament is fit to travel before planning your trip.

As your pet’s carer, you know whether a road trip would make your pet happy or stressed. If you believe it's the latter, you might want to consider not bringing them along for the ride. On the other hand, even some anxious pets can manage quite well in the presence of a comfy seat, anxiolytics, and helpful snacks.

2. Pack an "overnight bag" with pet essentials

When planning your trip, think about everything your pet needs, such as food, eating and drinking bowls, a soft bed, favourite toys, and maybe a spare leash and collar. You can even get creative on the food side with fruits and vegetables that are safe for pets that you include in your own lunch box.

While you may be able to pick up some pet food along the way, if your fur baby is a fussy eater and you can't find their favourite brand, you'll have a problem. Not to mention, changing their diet in the middle of a road trip may not be the best idea for your pet’s digestion.

If you're travelling with a dog, you'll also need to bring some poop bags and maybe some pee pads. If you're taking a kitty, you'll need to think about a litter solution. Luckily, you can now find foldable litter trays on the market that make a fabulous option for road-tripping felines.

Lastly, the most important thing to remember is any medication they need. Ensure you have enough to last the entire journey. If your pet is accident-prone, you could also pack a small first aid kit. Include things like a saline solution for cleaning cuts and antibiotic cream to help prevent infection.

3. Book pet-friendly accommodations before you go

If you've never travelled with a pet before, you might be surprised to learn there are many pet-friendly hotels and motels. However, the selection varies from region to region, so it's essential to do your research beforehand.

Many places only have a select number of pet-friendly hotels that fill up quickly. So, make sure you book accommodations for your entire trip before you go. In addition, some places charge pet fees, and others may only accept dogs but not cats or vice versa, so be sure to call directly and speak to someone before booking.

4. Get them familiar with the car environment

As your pet will spend a large portion of their day in your vehicle, the road trip will go much more smoothly if they are already comfortable and familiar with that space. So, have a few sessions during the weeks leading up to the trip to accustom them to the car and driving distances if they’re not already road warriors.

First, start by sitting in the car with them only, then go on short trips, gradually increasing the duration. After every session, reward your willing participant with a treat, so they associate going in the car with something enjoyable.

5. Create a safe and cozy space for them

Along with getting your pet comfortable with being in the car, you must ensure they are safe. It's best to keep dogs crated and cats in carriers when in a moving vehicle. You can fill dog crates with their favourite blankets and soft toys. For cats, put something inside that has their scent to help them settle, and maybe even sprinkle some catnip.

6. Schedule regular stops for walks and bathroom breaks

The stop-offs are the best part of any road trip, seeing incredible sights and vistas. However, sometimes, if you're running behind schedule, you might choose to skip some stops and spend longer on the road. With a pet in the car, you should never omit bathroom breaks, as doing so can lead to a very stressed pet and possibly urine infections.

Your pet will also need to stretch its legs at regular intervals, just as much as you do. So, when planning your trip, ensure you don't spend longer than a couple of hours driving at one time.

Road trips can be an awesome bonding experience for you and your fur babies. With these tips, you and Fluffy can hit the open road and create lifelong memories.

A happy pet makes a successful road trip

If you plan on bringing your pet on the road, you’ll want them to be comfortable and in high spirits. To ensure their contentment, it’s important to consider your pet’s usual temperament and then otherwise make accommodations for their needs and comfort.

Further, travelling with a pet can add costs to your trip, so it’s essential that you plan ahead. This means calling hotels in advance to inquire about their pet policy or fees, and planning pit stops for potty breaks along the way. You will also either need to bring or buy food for your pet to cover the course of your trip.

Ultimately, a happy pet helps set your trip up for success. Hopefully, you will have a happy road buddy and a stress-free roadtrip.

Related Articles:

Common Household Items That Can Poison Your Pets

When one considers how dependent we have become upon chemicals to “improve” our lives – the food we...

What to Do If Your Pet Has Fleas or Ticks

Most pets love a chance to play, run, and explore everything around them outdoors. Some live inside...

Up to $20,000 in annual coverage

Up to 80% of your vet fees covered

3 deductible options to choose from

You and your pet can bounce back from an accident or illness with our really simple coverage.

If you’ve looked at pet insurance coverage before, but didn’t bite – it’s time to get some Furkin Pet Insurance!