Road Tripping with Your Dog or Cat This Summer? Read This First.

Ana Sofía Raffucci
22 hours ago
5 min read

Dog sitting on a pet carrier inside the car ready for roadtrip

Something shifted in 2026.

Pet parents are not just flying with their dogs and cats anymore — they are loading them into the car and going. Road trips now account for 34% of all pet travel, compared to just 6.2% for flights. On Instagram and TikTok, the feeds are full of car seat setups, "dog-approved" pit stop guides, and route planning content for pets and their people.

It makes sense. Road trips offer what flying rarely does: control. You set the pace, choose the stops, skip the cargo hold, and never have to wonder if your pet made it on the plane.

But road trips come with their own prep checklist — and the longer the route, the higher the stakes. Especially if you are crossing into Canada, where requirements for traveling with a pet can catch you off guard if you are not prepared.

This is your guide to doing it right.

Why Pet Road Trips Are Dominating 2026

The numbers tell the story clearly. Road trips are the dominant mode of pet travel right now, and the trend is accelerating heading into summer. Creators across the US and Canada are building entire content verticals around it — car setups, pet-friendly hotel guides, road trip playlists for anxious dogs.

The preference makes sense beyond the vibe. Road travel gives pet parents:

Full control over the environment — temperature, stops, pace, stress level
No airline restrictions — no breed bans, size limits, or carrier requirements to navigate
Flexibility — you can adjust the route, stop when your pet needs a break, and change plans without a rebooking fee
More destinations — especially for large dogs, road trips open up options that flights simply do not

The tradeoff is that road trips require a different kind of preparation — less about boarding passes and more about knowing what crosses with you when you cross a border.

What You Actually Need to Prepare

Before you leave: documents and records

This is the part most road trippers skip — until they hit a checkpoint or need a vet far from home.

For US domestic road trips:

Most states do not require documentation for pets entering from other US states, but a handful have specific rules around rabies vaccination, certain breeds, or entry from states with active disease alerts. A quick check before your trip is worth the five minutes.
Always travel with proof of current rabies vaccination. Even where it is not legally required at the state line, it is required if you board anywhere, use a dog park, or need emergency vet care on the road.

For US to Canada road trips:

Dogs entering Canada require proof of current rabies vaccination in the form of a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian.
Cats entering Canada from the US do not currently require a health certificate or proof of rabies vaccination for personal travel, but requirements can change and it is always worth verifying before you go.
Border agents can and do ask for documentation. Having it accessible on your phone rather than buried in a folder at home matters.

For all road trips:

Know your pet's microchip number and have it documented somewhere you can access quickly — not just in your head.
Have your vet's contact info and your destination's nearest emergency vet saved before you leave, not after you need them.
Keep a copy of your pet's core vaccination records accessible in the app. Paper records in a glove compartment get lost, wet, and forgotten.

On the road: the practical checklist

Water and a collapsible bowl — dehydration is a real risk, especially in warmer months. We love Springland Pets water bottles, use code PADSPASS to save with purchase.
Pee pads and waste bags — for stops when finding a proper spot is not easy
A leash at every stop — even calm dogs can bolt in unfamiliar environments
Carrier or harness — unrestrained pets are a safety issue for them and for you. We love Roverlund Pet Carriers, use code PETPASSPORTAPR to save with purchase
Their regular food — changing food during travel can cause stomach issues at the worst possible time
Any medications — only pack what your vet has approved, and never introduce a new calming supplement for the first time on travel day

Rest stops and pet-friendly planning

The road trip creator community has figured this out faster than most apps have — "dog-approved" stops are becoming a real planning category. Things worth mapping before you go:

Pet-friendly rest areas and parks along your route
Pet-friendly hotels (policies vary widely — always confirm directly, not just on booking sites)
Veterinary clinics near your overnight stops, just in case

The Part Most People Overlook: Documentation at the US-Canada Border

Crossing into Canada with a pet feels casual — you are in a car, it is a road trip, it does not feel like international travel. But the border is real, and agents do ask.

For dogs: A valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed vet is required. The certificate needs to include the vaccine brand, lot number, and expiration date. A general vet record that mentions "rabies" is not the same thing and may not be accepted.

For cats: No health certificate or rabies documentation is currently required for personal travel from the US to Canada, but this can change. Verify requirements close to your travel date.

Timing matters: If your dog's rabies certificate is expiring soon, get a booster before the trip — not at the border. Many travelers assume they can sort it out on the road. You cannot.

Having your pet's records organized and accessible on your phone before you leave is the difference between a smooth crossing and a stressful one.

How PadsPass Fits Into a Road Trip

The free Pet ID: your foundation before you leave

Before you plan a single route, create your pet's free Pet ID in PadsPass. Add microchip number, vaccination history, and vet records. This is what you pull up at a checkpoint, show a new vet, or reference when you can not remember if the rabies certificate is in the glovebox or at home.

It works for up to 5 pets — which matters if you are the kind of person who travels with the whole crew.

The Bottom Line

Road trips are the smartest way to travel with a pet in 2026 — more control, more flexibility, fewer restrictions. But the relaxed vibe of a road trip can make it easy to skip the prep that actually matters.

Get your records organized before you leave. Know what crosses with you. And enjoy the ride.

Get Started

Download PadsPass and create your free Pet ID — keep your pet's records accessible on every trip.
Road tripping into Canada this summer? Start a 7-day free trial of the Digital Pet Passport for route-specific requirements and documentation guidance.

Learn more at: https://link.padspass.com/learnmore