Driving Instead of Flying? Holiday Travel with Your Dog - Canine Campus Dog Daycare & Boarding

If recent airline cancellations or rising travel stress have you hitting the road instead of heading for the airport this year, you’re not alone. Many families are choosing to drive rather than fly — and for dog parents, this shift comes with its own set of considerations. The good news? With the right preparation, holiday travel with your dog can be safe, enjoyable, and full of tail-wagging adventure.

Driving gives you more flexibility, more comfort for your pup, and the chance to enjoy the journey together. Whether you’re taking a cross-country road trip to see family or heading to a cozy cabin for a quiet holiday escape, holiday travel with your dog can be a wonderful experience — with a bit of planning and a lot of love.

Let’s walk through the essentials to make your trip smooth, safe, and fun for everyone (two-legged and four-legged alike).

Why More People Are Driving Instead of Flying

Travel looks a little different this season. Flight delays, cancellations, and changing airline pet policies have many people choosing the road over the runway. In fact, most pet parents already prefer driving when traveling with their dogs, and during busy holiday periods, driving can feel more predictable and pet-friendly.

Beyond avoiding airport chaos, driving also offers important benefits for holiday travel with your dog:

Your dog stays with you every step of the way
You control the feeding, exercise, and potty schedule
You can pack everything your dog needs — without baggage limits
You can stop for breaks, explore parks, and enjoy the journey together

For many families, especially those traveling with pets, a road trip simply feels better. It’s calmer, more flexible, and often more fun. And when the goal is memorable holiday travel with your dog, being together for the journey is part of the joy.

Preparing Your Dog for the Road

A little preparation goes a long way toward making holiday travel with your dog smooth and stress-free. Dogs thrive on routine, so the more familiar you can make the experience, the happier your pup will be.

Before your trip, try:

Practice drives: Take short trips so your dog gets used to the car
Familiar comfort items: Bring your dog’s favorite blanket or toy
Routine consistency: Keep feeding and potty habits similar to home
Health records handy: Pack a copy of vaccinations and medications
Current ID tags & microchip: Essential for safe holiday travel with your dog

If your dog experiences motion sickness or anxiety during car rides, talk to your veterinarian before traveling. Sometimes a simple natural calming aid, pheromone spray, or anti-nausea medication makes holiday travel with your dog much more comfortable.

Packing Essentials for Holiday Travel with Your Dog

Packing well is one of the most important tips for stress-free holiday travel with your dog. Think through your dog’s daily routine and bring the essentials to help keep things familiar.

Dog travel essentials:

Food & treats
Collapsible water & food bowls
Waste bags
Leash & harness
Travel-friendly water container
Favorite toy or chew
Dog bed or blanket
Towels & wipes for muddy paws
Medications & vet records
Travel first-aid kit for dogs

Including these items makes holiday travel with your dog feel like home, just on wheels. A prepared pup is a happy pup — and a prepared pet parent enjoys the trip too.

Health and Safety on the Road

Safety is the heart of successful holiday travel with your dog. A comfortable, secure dog travels better — and you’ll drive more confidently knowing your furry passenger is safe.

Road-trip safety for dogs:

Use a secured crate or dog seatbelt harness
Never let your dog ride with their head out the window (it’s cute but risky)
Avoid feeding a large meal right before long drives
Offer water frequently
Stop every 2–3 hours for exercise and potty breaks
Never leave your dog unattended in the car
Keep temperature comfortable and airflow steady

If your dog seems anxious or carsick, offer calm reassurance and frequent breaks. For many pups, holiday travel with your dog becomes easier and more enjoyable with each positive outing.

Other Ways to Travel With Your Dog: Train, Bus, or Boat

Driving may be the most popular choice for holiday travel with your dog, but sometimes other transportation options come into play. If you’re mixing travel methods:

Train travel: Amtrak allows small dogs in approved carriers on select routes
Ferries & boats: Rules vary — many allow dogs on outdoor decks or in carriers
Buses: Many public bus systems don’t allow dogs unless they are service animals

Always check pet policies ahead of time. While road trips are usually the simplest form of holiday travel with your dog, a little research can make alternate transportation smooth too.

Finding Dog-Friendly Stops and Lodging

Planning stops is one of the best parts of holiday travel with your dog — because it turns the journey into an adventure.

Helpful apps for dog-friendly travel:

BringFido
Roadtrippers
AllTrails
Google Maps (search “dog-friendly” nearby)

Look for:

Pet-friendly rest areas
Hotels that welcome dogs
Parks or trails for leash walks
Dog-friendly restaurants with patios

Sometimes, though, plans change. You might discover that your dog would be happier staying local rather than joining your trip. Or maybe your travel schedule shifts unexpectedly.

Check Your Boarding Facility’s Policy Before You Go

With so many flight changes and travel delays this season, it’s a good idea to review your boarding facility’s cancellation policy before finalizing your plans. Every facility operates differently, and understanding the details ahead of time can save you stress (and money) if your travel schedule shifts unexpectedly.

At Canine Campus, we do our best to make this process simple and fair for everyone.

Travel Plans Changed? Here’s How Our Cancellation Policy Works

We understand plans change — especially with the recent airline cancellations. Here’s how our cancellation policy works and why it helps us reserve space fairly for all our clients.

At Canine Campus, we hold a limited number of boarding spots to ensure every dog receives personalized care. Last-minute cancellations can affect our staffing and scheduling, and may prevent another pet from staying with us during busy travel times.

To keep things fair and running smoothly for everyone:

We require a credit card reservation for all room and board bookings.
We ask for at least 72 hours’ notice if you need to cancel your reservation.
Cancellations made less than 72 hours before arrival will incur a $40 fee per student.
During holidays, we require a minimum two-night stay for all boarding reservations.

Thank you for understanding — and for helping us keep Canine Campus a happy, organized, and welcoming place for every pup (and every parent).

Remember, It’s a Vacation

Traveling can be stressful — for humans and pups! One of the most important keys to calm holiday travel with your dog is your energy. Dogs are incredibly intuitive. They feel our stress, our excitement, and our anxiety.

If you’re calm and flexible, your dog will be too. So:

Take breaks
Enjoy the scenery
Breathe deeply
Laugh at the little hiccups along the way

Holiday travel with your dog isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection. The journey is part of the memory. Let your dog sniff new smells, stretch their legs, and share in the adventure. When you let go of tension, your dog will relax right along with you.

Conclusion

Whether you’re driving across the country or just heading a couple of hours away, holiday travel with your dog can be a joyful experience full of fresh sights, shared snacks, and cozy moments together. With thoughtful planning, safety strategies, and a positive mindset, you and your pup can make the most of every mile.

Safe travels, happy holidays, and here’s to making memories with your best four-legged friend!

Your Turn!

Are you planning holiday travel with your dog this season — or treating them to a cozy staycation at home? Tell us your travel plans and share your favorite road-trip tips in the comments! 🐶🚗🎄