15 Dog Road Trip Essentials from Poop Bags to Inflatable Crates

Traveling dogs need high-quality luggage as much as humans do. Invest in a travel bag for your dog that is big enough to hold treats, food, a leash, a first aid kit, cleaning wipes, pop-up bowls, poop bags and a microfiber towel. Diamant and her team created the Porter Dog Gear Backpack for these longer trips. “I organize everything in my Porter backpack,” she says. “Treats and food in one section, cleanup supplies in another, plus room for both our essentials. It makes grabbing what we need so much easier when we're on the go.” Other great options include the Ruffwear Haul Bag and the Modoker Dog Travel Kit.  

Both on the road and once you arrive at your destination, your dog’s going to eat and drink. Collapsible (or pop-up) food and water bowls are ideal for traveling because they take up less space when not in use. You can find these included in many dog travel bag bundles, but make sure you buy the right size for your pup. Ruffwear makes a nylon bowl in three sizes that literally folds down into a tiny square, but users say it can be hard to get it back to this size once you’ve opened it. For dogs who may get carsick (more on this below) or thirsty in the car, a Gorilla Grip Portable Dog Water Bottle might be your best bet. 

You’ve got the bowls, don’t forget the food! Diamant says she portions out exact meals, plus an extra day’s worth of food just in case. Before creating Cleverpup, Diamant filled Ziploc bags with food. Now, she uses her Bistro Food Travel Kit. “No more mess, no more guessing at portions on the road,” she says. The Kurgo Kibble Carrier also holds up to five pounds of dry food and folds down if you don’t need all the space provided. 

Eric Stevens, a dog owner who estimates he and his yellow Labrador, Summit, have taken 15 to 20 road trips together over the years, says he has a seat protector he uses to keep dog hair contained. Labs shed a ton, so he only has moderate success, but it’s smart to spread something where your dog will sit to preserve your car seats as long as possible. If you’ve got another passenger in the backseat, the Meadowlark cover lets you fold down one side. It also works in trunks too, if that’s your pup’s designated spot. 

Depending on where you’re headed, you may need to bring a dog bed with you. Many pet-friendly Airbnbs and hotels also ask you to bring your own dog bed, so a travel one like the PupProtector Memory Foam Car Bed could be a soothing spot en route and a cozy sleep station upon arrival. Furhaven also makes a travel dog bed that rolls up like a sleeping bag if your dog isn’t big on sleeping during the drive. 

Dogs must be buckled in, too! In the event of an accident, you want your pup safely secured with a crash-tested dog harness. The Sleepypod Clickit Sport Plus harness is a great option. Some dogs may need more than a harness, so a crash-tested travel crate or dog car seat is necessary. Please don’t let your dog roam freely in the car! This is not only distracting to you, it’s dangerous to them if you brake suddenly or someone runs into you. 

Speaking of distractions, toys are definitely dog road trip essentials. Pack your dog’s favorite toys to remind them of home and help them stay entertained on the ride. We love Woof’s Bullysafe chew toy because it keeps dogs occupied without presenting a choking hazard. Soft or plush toys that smell like home can make car rides easier for dogs who get anxious or don’t handle transitions well. 

Dogs might see potty breaks on road trips as opportunities to roll in dirt or walk through mud. If this happens, having some cleaning wipes on hand is ideal. We like the DOG Wipes from DOG by Dr Lisa because they won’t strip your dog’s coat of its natural oils, are 100 percent compostable and can also be used on surfaces, like your car seat (patch tests are still recommended). 

Depending on where you’re driving, a microfiber towel might be necessary to dry off your dog post bath, swim or rain shower. These can also clean any messes that occur during the trip, like a wagging tail knocking coffee out of your hand, for instance. 

Grabbing poop bags on the way out the door with a dog is second nature, but just in case you needed a reminder, pack extra, along with a poop bag carrier, on a road trip. Adventurers heading to state parks (make sure dogs are allowed where you’re going!) or campsites never want to leave a trace, so any poop that goes in should be tossed in a bag (we like Earth Rated’s compostable poop bags).

“I never leave home without extra treats in easy-reach treat pockets,” Diamant says. “They're lifesavers for everything from keeping my pup calm at a new coffee shop to rewarding good behavior at rest stops. Having different types of treats ready has gotten us through so many situations on our travels.” Limited space? Pack human snacks that work for dogs too, like cucumbers, carrots or bell peppers. 

Make sure your dog’s tags are up-to-date with their vaccination status and your contact info. It’s also wise to pack your dog’s medical and vaccination records in case you need to visit a vet while traveling. Of course, we hope this doesn’t happen, but being prepared will give you peace of mind and you’ll be able to reference accurate info should your dog experience an emergency. 

Speaking of emergencies! A pet first aid kit is definitely a dog road trip essential. Minor cuts and scrapes happen all the time to pups. You’ll thank yourself for having alcohol wipes, gauze, bandages, latex gloves and other first-aid items on hand. 

Bring more than one leash! They can get lost in hotels, stuck in the bottom of a random bag or wear out. A retractable leash is a good idea if you want to allow your dog some extra space without worrying they’ll wander off. 

You may already be planning on buckling a travel crate into your car, but if not, consider a collapsible or packable option. We’re partial to the inflatable Enventur Travel Kennel from Diggs. Philip Mutz, PureWow’s VP of News and Entertainment, tried it out with his pup Bubbie and enjoyed that it traveled well in the car, inflated quickly for easy set-up and provided a cozy spot for the dog. If this option is out of your price range, a basic metal crate that folds down also gets the job done.