So, you’ve decided to take your dog on a road trip! Although it requires a little more planning, we believe the extra effort is definitely worth the companionship. There’s also the added benefit of not having to be separated, board your dog, or hire a pet sitter.

Check out the tips and checklists below to help you prepare for your next road trip with your dog.

Planning your trip

You’ll need to dedicate a little extra time to planning your stops and stays for your trip, but not too much more than you’re already doing for yourself.

We usually plan to stop approximately every 2-3 hours to stretch our legs and use the bathroom. Our favorite stops are gas stations that have dog runs or dog parks nearby where we can let the dogs run around freely. We find these quick stops are the hardest to plan, especially if you’re not familiar with the route.

Don’t forget to look for places to eat along the way. Depending on our time frame, we usually pick places we can pick up and eat in the car, or restaurants with dog-friendly patios.

You’ll also need to find pet-friendly places to stay. Some large chains, like Hilton and Marriot are hit and miss. They offer select hotels that are dog friendly; usually with an additional fee and weight restrictions. La Quinta’s are known to be dog friendly and don’t usually require an additional fee, but they do have a 2 pet maximum. Our most recent favorite, however, is StayPineapple, who I would describe as dog-inclusive! StayPineapple offers a number of dog-friendly accommodations including dog beds, bowls, treats, and more. They’re definitely our top recommendation for anyone visiting a city that has one.

Preparing for your trip

Has your dog spent much time in the car? If they haven’t, make sure to spend time acclimating your dog. Road trips are definitely less fun if it’s the first time dealing with your dog’s anxiety or car sickness. Make sure you also have a crash tested crate or harness/ seatbelt.

Remember to plan a check-up with your vet and make sure your dog is up to date on their vaccines, and bring have a copy printed to bring on your trip. Depending on where you are traveling to, you may also need a certificate of health.

Be sure to also double check that your dog’s ID tag/ microchip contact information is all up to date, just in case you are ever separated.

If you have an active dog, it’s also important to plan how you will incorporate exercise into their routine on longer driving days. That might look like a longer walk in the morning before you depart, or bringing puzzles and working on tricks for mental stimulation.

What to pack

Your dog-travel checklist should include the following:

• ID tag with current contact information, Vaccine records
• Plenty of food and water for the entire trip, Treats
• Travel bowl/s
• Poop bags, Wipes
• Collar/Harness (with ID tag), Leash
• Crate/ Car harness & Seatbelt, Seat Cover
• Travel bed, Blanket
• Their favorite toy, Chews
• First Aid Kit, Medication, and any additional calming aids (if needed)

You might also decide to bring some of the following depending on your destination and the weather:

• Flea & Tick repellants
• Brush, Comb
• Towel, Life Jacket
• Cooling vest or Jacket
• Dog boots

You can find our favorite dog essentials and discount codes here. If you’ll be hiking with your dog, be sure to check out our list of hiking essentials here.

We are usually able to pack the essentials for our two large dogs in a duffle bag, but will sometimes use a suitcase for longer trips.

Happy Adventuring!