Should You Drive or Fly Your Dog Long-Distance?

Are you planning some long-distance travel with your dog? Here are some important things to consider when deciding whether you should drive or fly with your dog.

By
Stephanie Colman
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Traveling With Pet On Airplane
If your dog is small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you, he can accompany you in the cabin as your carry-on item. You’ll need to notify the airline that you’ll be traveling with a pet, and you’ll be charged a pet fee, usually around $100 each way. Book the flight and make these arrangements early, as most flights will accommodate only a few pets in the cabin. © Gchutka | Getty Images

What’s the best way to travel long-distance with a dog? When deciding whether it’s best to drive or fly with your dog, here are some things you should consider:

  • Is this trip right for your dog? Think about how the travel and subsequent circumstances will affect your dog. How does your dog handle short car rides? Can she relax in the car? Does she willingly relieve herself when she’s away from home?
Dog traveling in a car
If you choose to bring your dog on a long-distance drive, we would hope you would not travel like this! Dogs should never ride loose on the front seat, even with the air bags deactivated. And they should always wear a car-safety harness that is properly secured with the car seat belt or LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system. © Humonia | Getty Images

Overall, ask yourself whether your dog is generally confident and able to go with the flow in most situations, or whether she is a creature of habit who finds change terribly stressful? If she meets the latter description, and you’re not relocating, your dog might find staying home with a pet sitter less stressful than going with you.

  • What will you do when you get there? Will you have a jam-packed schedule? Will any of your activities accommodate your dog? Is your dog likely to enjoy whatever you have on the agenda or might she find it overwhelming? If the latter, do your plans have the wiggle room you’ll need to bow out of an activity or adjust your schedule so you can attend to your dog’s needs?
  • Consider your dog’s breed and overall health. These are especially important if you’re considering air travel.
dog sits on the floor in an airplane
Service dogs may travel in aircraft cabins with their owners at no charge. Emotional support animals who are small enough to ride in an under-seat carrier can travel in-cabin with their handlers as pets (and must remain in the carrier) if the handler pays the pet fee. If they are too large, they must travel as cargo. Photo © Jaimie Tuchman | Getty Images

Most airlines have breed restrictions that disallow brachycephalic breeds such a Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Lhasa Apsos, along with many strong, powerful breeds such a Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Chow Chows, and American Staffordshire Terriers. Air travel also requires that dogs be at least 8 weeks old, and a veterinarian must certify that they are healthy via a physical exam and health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.

Of course you’ll want to make sure your dog is healthy before embarking on a road trip, too! In the case of older dogs with arthritis, can you keep them comfortable confined to the car for long periods? Does your dog get carsick? Will you encounter any extreme temperatures along the way that might make potty stops more challenging? How will you safely handle it? Will your dog’s life be in jeopardy if your air conditioning goes on the blink or your car breaks down?

Once You’ve Made Your Travel Choice

If after you consider these points, you decide to travel with your dog in a car or recreational vehicle, see “Driving Long-Distance with Your Dog” for more information about safe travel on the road.

If, instead, you decide that it might be better to put your dog on an airplane, instead, see “Flying With Your Dog” for tips on air travel with your dog, whether in-cabin or as cargo.

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