Road trips with dogs: stops, heat and hotel rules

Dogs travel well when the trip is planned around them. That means shorter blocks of driving, shade and water at every stop, a safe way to ride in the car, and knowing where you can sleep before you arrive. Get those right and most dogs settle into road life within a few days.

In the car

A crash-tested crate or a harness clipped to the seat belt keeps your dog and everyone else safe in a sudden stop, and in several countries securing animals is a legal requirement. Keep heads inside the window, bring the bed or blanket they sleep on at home, and feed a light meal a few hours before driving rather than just before. A short practice drive in the week before the trip helps nervous travellers.

Stops

Plan a stop every two to three hours, longer on hot days. Rest areas with grassy dog runs are the easy choice; a short walk off the parking lot is better than circling the car. In the US, many state parks allow leashed dogs on trails, while most national parks only allow them on paved paths, in developed areas and in campgrounds, with a few exceptions such as Acadia. In Europe, dogs are welcome on many trails but often banned from beaches in summer.

Heat

The inside of a parked car gets dangerously hot within minutes, even with the windows open a crack and even on a mild, sunny day. Never leave a dog in the car in warm weather. Choose restaurants with patios, use drive-throughs, or take turns eating. Walk early and late, test pavement with the back of your hand, carry water and a collapsible bowl, and learn the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling and weakness.

Lodging and campsites

Pet policies vary a lot, even within the same hotel chain. Call ahead, ask about fees, weight limits and how many dogs are allowed, and add the answer to the stop's notes in your trip. Most campsites accept dogs on a lead, sometimes for a small daily fee, and some have dog showers or fenced areas; a few ban certain breeds or close pet-friendly sections in peak season.

Paperwork across borders

Within the EU, dogs need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport; some countries add a tapeworm treatment before entry. Travelling between the US, Canada, the UK and the EU involves extra rules and lead times that can stretch to months. Check the official government pages for each country well before you book, and carry vaccination records and a recent photo of your dog in case it gets lost.