How to Plan a Road Trip with a Dog in 10 Steps

Think taking your dog on a cross country road trip sounds like a logistical nightmare? It doesn’t have to be!

With years of experience road-tripping with our dog, Lilly, in our self-converted campervan, we’ve learned that planning a smooth, stress-free adventure is easier than you think.

In this guide on how to plan a road trip with a dog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know – from choosing pet-friendly campsites to packing the right gear – so you and your pup can enjoy the open road together.

Whether you’re driving a car or setting out on a longer campervan journey, we’ve got you covered.

Think About Travel Safety

Before setting off on a road trip with your dog, the most important thing to consider is their safety while you’re driving.

Where will they be travelling? How can you secure them to reduce injury as much as possible in the event of a crash? How will you prevent them distracting you while you’re driving?

In the early days, we would take Lilly in the car in her crate either in the boot or on the back seats. This completely prevented the risk of her clambering over to us in the front seats, but also provided her with a bit of a safe space since she’d get sick from the movement outside the windows (common with sighthounds)

Once she was older, and we started taking her in the van, she’d ride up front with us and sleep for the majority of any trip – always fastened in with her seatbelt lead!

Now she rides in the back of the van on her own sofa – I know, complete luxury! – but still clipped in.

So here are your options for safety when travelling with a dog in a car or van:

Crash Tested Crate

These are the safest option (and most expensive) and usually need securing down to the bottom of your vehicle. There’s a much lower risk of your dog feeling any impact in one of these, and 0 risk of them being able to run away if something does happen.

Logistically, they take up a lot of space so would only be suitable in larger vehicles with people who won’t need the full boot (trunk) space or a campervan that has been built with it in mind.

Travel Crate

This is what we used to use. It’s the plastic style crate used for flying, but can be used in a car or van too.

They offer little in the way of safety but they do prevent them from being able to climb over and distract you.

If you are involved in an accident, these are more likely to break and give your pup the ability to run away scared.

Boot Dividers

If you haven’t seen one of these before, they’re essentially a metal mesh that covers the gap between your back seats and boot so your dog can’t jump over.

They offer no safety and are purely for containment purposes.

Seat Belt Lead

This is what we currently use and we love this set up for travelling in a van with a dog. 

What this is, is a lead that has a seat belt attachment on it so you can plug it into your car or vans belt plugs. We leave ours permanently in place in our van so that we never forget to bring it out the house, and simply transfer her from her main lead to that one once she’s in.

These should always be attached to a harness – not their collar. If you break suddenly, hit a pot hole, swerve suddenly or experience a crash, having it on their collar is guaranteeing an injury.

Using their harnesses means you have a small level of safety in place and it should prevent them from being able to run away. They’re not as secure as a travel crate but they’re much more convenient for road trips when space is a premium

Now that your dog is secured safely, let’s talk about how to make the drive comfortable for both of you.

Break Up Long Drives

The next thing you’re going to want to think about is how you’re going to break up the long drives.

Let’s take our trip from Portugal to the UK as an example.

It’s a fairly easy drive that we could technically have done with just one overnight stop but with Lilly it made more sense to break it down into a mini road trip and do it in 3 days instead – 4 on the way back. 

This not only meant we got to see slightly more, but that Lilly had more opportunities to stretch her legs and burn off some of her energy throughout the trip.

On top of those overnight stays, we stopped every few hours so that she could pee if she needed to, and to let her have a sniff of somewhere new – I’m a huge fan of sniffing as enrichment for dogs!

So, what does that mean for you and your dog?

It means you need to take a look at your route, and take their needs into account. Plot resting points on the map along the way or just be mindful once you’re on the road. A quiet dog park or service station with plenty of open space are usually good options!

If you have a high energy dog like Lilly, chances are they’re not going to be happy to just sit in a car for a full day. How frequently you will need to stop will very much depend on your dog (their age, training, chill-factor etc.)

When Lilly was younger, we had to stop much more frequently because her bladder was smaller and she’d get a little bit sick on longer trips (we’ll talk about how to deal with car sickness soon)

Check For Pet Friendly Accommodation

This is part of the planning process that gets people into a bit of a flap – but it’s ok! Finding pet friendly stays is much easier than you’d expect, especially if you’re planning a camping road trip with a dog.

One of the easiest ways to do this is with the pet friendly filter on booking.com, or, target hotel chains that you know are pet friendly!

Our favourite one throughout Europe is B+B Hotels. Yes, I know, a chain hotel doesn’t give you the same wow factor as a small local boutique or family run B+B but when you’re road tripping with a dog, for us at least, accommodation is just for somewhere to sleep overnight so no need for any bells and whistles. 

So, once you have your route set out and you know how often/where you’re going to stop, search the area for pet friendly accommodation.

Always Carry Their Documents

This goes without saying if you’re crossing borders, but even if you’re staying within your home country, it’s a good idea to keep their documents on you.

The EU dog passport is the most common form of ID for dogs in Europe, but if you’re coming in from the USA or UK you can use your animal health certificate instead. 

Here in Portugal, it’s a legal requirement to keep documents with the dog, and even though we’ve never been asked for them we always have them on us – either her full EU Passport, or a digital copy of her vaccine records. 

In some countries, doggy citizens are required to wear a tag that indicates they’re up to date on their rabies vaccine. If that’s the case where you live, and you don’t have the tag, you’ll want to get one from your vet.

Be Mindful Of Nearby Vets

Speaking of vets – it’s always a good idea to be aware of where you could find a vet if you need one during your trip.

By this I don’t necessarily mean have the contact details for vets in each location saved – although if you have a particularly sickly dog, this might be a good idea – I just mean take a mental note of the towns along the way that are likely to have a vets and perhaps a quick google to see if there’s an emergency vet there too.

Thankfully, we’ve never needed a vet for Lilly while on the road but we do know people who have had run ins with the nasty processionary caterpillars while road tripping around Europe and needed to rush them to the vets

Know The Local Regulations

This is where planning a multi-country road trip with your dog can get complicated, especially if you’re zipping in and out of the EU.

Now, we realistically can’t list every countries requirements – we’d be here all day and we don’t have personal experience with every country – so you’re going to have to do further reading on this but here are some things you need to consider

Entry requirements

Almost every country is going to have their own set of entry requirements. These are the rules you must abide by to get your dog into the country. They usually include a pet passport or animal health certificate, rabies vaccine and possibly a worming tablet against tapeworm too.

If you’re going or returning from somewhere like Morocco or Türkiye, you may also need to do a rabies titre test – this is a blood test that proves your dog hasn’t contracted rabies.

Mandatory Insurance

Some countries, like Norway, require all dogs travelling around their country to have mandatory liability insurance. I love this law because it means if your dog hurts someone, or damages something, you’re covered and that person can get rightfully compensated.

Lilly’s health insurance also includes EU wide lability, so this is something worse discussing with your insurance or credit card company.

To my knowledge, pet health insurance isn’t mandatory but we like to have it anyway and always choose something that includes travel within the EU.

Leash Laws

So many places have leash laws, and unfortunately so many of them go ignored. Scandinavian countries are amongst some of the best for policing this so it’s important to know the local laws of the places you’re travelling so you can follow them.

A lot of the time it’s common sense and public etiquette – dogs on leads and under control in public places and to be honest, it’s not really too much to ask.

While we’re here, and because I don’t want to put it in its own section – although maybe I should? – but please always pick up your dog poop while you’re travelling! There’s nothing worse than seeing van lifers let their dog out of the van, off lead, to poop and then drive off without picking it up. 

Banned/Restricted Breeds

Unfortunately, many countries have various breeds listed as restricted or banned completely.

You’ll need to check each country for their specific list – petlog.com is a good resource for this if you’re travelling around Europe – but here are some of the most common banned or restricted breeds.

This list is based on laws in multiple countries and not based on my opinion. We don’t agree with banning dogs, it rarely solves a problem.

• Pit bulls
• XL Bullies
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Dogo Argentino
• Rottweiler
• Cane Corso

The requirements vary from country to country but in the case of restrictions, this usually requires some form of registration/licence and for them to be on short leads with muzzles in public.

Muzzle Laws

Even if you don’t have a dog that’s on the banned/restricted dogs list for where you’re travelling – check their overall dog laws.

Many EU countries will require dogs to be muzzled on public transport – this is the same for ferry companies too. So if you plan to catch trains or buses, or need to hop on a ferry, you’ll need to know if you’re required to muzzle up your dog. Sometimes the driver is happy to just see you have a muzzle on you without actually asking you to put it on them if the transport is particularly quite.

I actually believe all dogs should be muzzle trained so that they have the skills in place for times like this, or stressful situations like being in the vets. There’s a lot of stigma around dogs in muzzles, but I think that’s slowly crumbling thankfully. A muzzled dog is a safe/loved dog.

If you want to know more about this topic my friend and pro trainer, Ali, has written a post on how to choose a well fitted muzzle and has lots of resources on how to train them to be happy wearing it too!

Be Respectful Of Wildlife

This should go for any time you’re out in nature with your dog to be honest, but if you’re planning a camping road trip with your dog it will be especially important.

For example, if you have a high prey drive dog you’re perhaps not going to want to go camping somewhere that has a lot of wild deer roaming around. Or if you do, you’re going to want to keep your dog on a lead.

If you’re somewhere that doesn’t have specific leash laws for these areas, please still use your common sense.

Walking through a field with sheep and cows? Leash your dog. At a beach with rare sea birds that your dog might chase? Use a leash… I think you get the point. 

Have A Plan For Hot Days

This is so so so important, especially for those travelling with dogs in a car. If you’re in Spain in summer and need to nip into the shops – have a plan. What we tend to do is one runs in while the other either stays in the van with the AC running or hops out and takes her for a walk in nearby shade.

Don’t leave them in the car, no matter how quick you think you’re going to be. The experiment below is a good example of what it’s like for your dog, even after just 5 minutes.

It’s not just leaving them in the car you need to be mindful of though. Even being out and about in the middle of the day during summer can be too much for them. Hot pavements are a risk for their feet but they also feel a lot hotter than us due their whole body being so close to that hot floor.

We try to avoid being out during these times, and will instead head to nearby dog friendly national parks or lakes where it’s shaded and we can all cool down a bit.

Don’t Forget The Essentials

Once you know where you’re going, what paperwork you need and what your entry requirements are it’s time to start packing!

Here are some of our road trip essentials;

Their Food & Snacks

Of course! But what if you’re like us and buy in bulk? Do you really want to take that whole bag with you just for a week or two? Probably not so here’s what we do;

Portion the food into zip lock bags, one per day we’re gone (we reuse these for each trip) then put those zip lock bags into a plastic container.

This way, not only do you have exactly what you need but it’s spill proof too!

Seat Covers

You’re going to get dog hair everywhere. That’s inevitable but if you want to reduce that – or are doing a road trip in a hire car – you can use seat covers.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, something like this will do. We like this one because it’s waterproof and can be adjusted to accommodate passengers too.

Spill Proof Water Bowl

If you’re a van lifer or frequent road tripper, the Road Refresher will change your life. Ok, that might be an exaggeration but they really are good.

They’re a no-spill bowl specifically designed for giving your dog access to water while you’re travelling. This will help reduce the frequency that you need to stop, and stop you worrying about if pups getting too hot and need a drink because it’ll already be there for them without causing a mess. 

You might want to give your dog access to it at home first so they can get used to its design but once they have it sussed you’ll be good to go.

Crate and/or Seat belt attachment

We covered why we use this in the travel safety section, but this is the seat belt lead we use and it’s always plugged into the van so we never forget it.

Poo Bags

Picking up the poop is part of owning a dog, so if you don’t already have a roll in every bag and coat pocket, or stash in your van dash, you’re going to want to stock up.

We bought ours in bulk from amazon because it worked out at something mad like 30c a roll, when they’re about 60c a roll in our local store.

Muzzle

Again, we covered this in more detail above.

If you’re heading somewhere with muzzle laws you’ll need a muzzle. Here’s even more info by Ali about the different types of muzzles and their uses.

Paw Balm

Paw balm isn’t just for huskies in the snow!

You can use it for protecting your pups paws against hot sand or rough surfaces too.

That’s not to say you can have them out all day on hot concrete, you still need to be mindful of that, but it adds an extra layer of protection for them. Kind of like us wearing sun cream.

Their Favourite Toys

Lilly absolutely loves a stuffed toy, she gets a new one on pretty much every trip but we’ll always take one or two of her faves too!

Having a familiar toy can help them settle into new places, but also it’s good for providing some entertainment on the road.

If you need some inspo, you can see a full list of what she loves here

Dog Friendly Destination Ideas

I think the key part to really enjoying a road trip with your dog is picking the best dog friendly destination!

You don’t want to go somewhere that your dogs are not going to be able to enjoy with you, right?

Italy

Italy is a the top of our bucket list for when our latest van conversion is complete (which will be soon 🤞) because of how dog friendly it is.

There are so many dog friendly attractions in Italy – including Pompei! How amazing is that?

We’ve even seen videos of dogs in supermarkets, and I don’t think you’ll struggle for dog friendly hotels either.

Portugal

On a scale of 1-10, I think Portugal is dog friendly level 7.

You won’t be able to take them into many museums or palaces but when it comes to dog friendly beaches around Portugal, nature walks and cafes/restaurants we’ve never struggled.

We find the Portuguese are generally ok with dogs although our experience won’t be the same as yours because Lilly is a Portuguese Podengo, which is the national hunting breed here.

This means we tend to get mixed responses having her in public – the older generation aren’t used to seeing them walking on a lead/harness instead of being chained up and used for hunting only, so they tend to give us a wide berth or stare.

Spain

Spain is another country we find to be fairly dog friendly, especially around the touristy areas. You might struggle a little bit more in land when it comes to cafes – we found quite a few in Andalucia wouldn’t allow dogs even on their outside terraces.

On the flip side, more attractions away from the tourists seem to allow dogs. Like mini Hollywood in Almeria! I was blown away that these allow dogs even in the zoo section.

Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to take Lilly (they do wild west style gunfights, and she’s a bit scared of the bangs so it wasn’t fair to take her until we’ve worked through that) but if you go, please do send us your photos!

FAQs For Planning A Road Trip With Dogs

How Often Should You Stop?

As often as your dog needs. Every couple of hours is a good baseline.

Can I Road Trip With A Puppy?

If your puppy is fully vaccinated and your vet is happy with them going on an extended trip – of course!

You’ll need to make sure they’re comfortable travelling in the car or van first, and be prepared to make more stops if you’re still working on toilet training, but there’s no reason your puppy can’t join you.

Some things to consider; puppies need 18-20 hours sleep a day (yep really!) and shouldn’t walk long distances while their bones are developing, so if your trip is going to involve a lot of long hikes – it might be best to leave pup with someone you trust instead.

I’m not a dog trainer so again, my friend Ali has some good training tips on how to train your dog to be comfortable in the car if that’s something you know you need to work on.

Something else you can do is test how they travel best. Most advice is to let them see out of the window, but for us that actually made Lilly worse. Once she was in her enclosed crate she travelled much better. 

Ginger based dog treats can also help settle their stomach but the focus really should be training.

What’s The Best Vehicle For Road Trips With Dogs

Likely to one you have is perfectly fine! But if you’re looking to travel to a destination with your dog then hire a car, or find yourself in the market for a new one, our recommendation will always be a campervan!

Whether you convert one yourself,  or buy one, there’s no better feeling than road tripping with a dog in a campervan.

This way your dog can have their own space in the back, without the risk of getting in your way while you’re driving – we’ve driven in small cars with large dogs and trust us, even though they don’t mean to you will almost always end up with their nose in your face while you’re trying to drive.

How Can I Prepare My Dog For A Long Drive

Before you head on your long drive, you’re going to want to make sure your dog’s needs are met.

For us, that means making sure she gets a good run and gets to use her brain, use the toilet etc.

We’ll go for a good walk, have a game of tug and then do some scent training before setting off again. We’ll then stop frequently to let her sniff around on the long lead.

If your dog starts to get fidgety, there’s a good chance they’re ready for a break.

Final Thoughts: Hit the Road With Your Dog!

Road tripping with your dog isn’t just about getting from point A to point B – it’s about creating unforgettable memories together.

With the right planning, you can enjoy the journey just as much as the destination, knowing your pup is safe, happy, and comfortable.

So, where will your next adventure take you? Whether it’s a scenic coastal drive, a national park getaway, or a cosy camping trip, your dog will love being along for the ride.

If you’re considering a road trip through Europe, don’t forget to check out my guide on taking the Eurotunnel with your dog – it makes crossing the Channel stress-free and simple!