Best Gear for Driving With a Dog in the Car: Crates, Harness, Covers

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Americans across the country are hitting the road with dogs as their copilots this summer. Whether your plan is to hike and camp, explore back roads and under-the-radar towns, or visit family and friends, the promise of an adventure on the open road is intoxicating not just for you but for your dog, too.

To ensure the success of a road trip with your pup, you'll need a handful of dog car travel accessories to keep them safe and comfortable during long drives. As a professional dog trainer by day and travel writer by night, I have years of experience hitting the road with dogs. I've combed through my own gear to come up with this list of essentials for a canine-friendly road trip.

For expertise on traveling safely with a dog in the hot summer months, I've consulted with veterinarian Tanya Fraser, medical director of VCA Allendale Animal Hospital in Allendale, Michigan, and Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety in Reston, Virginia. Below we've rounded up our favorite travel gear as well as tips for traveling safely with your dog.

Gunner G1 Kennel, available at Gunner, from $499

According to Wolko, you should never travel with your dog in a plastic crate that has been buckled in with a car seat belt because it can easily fracture in a crash. Instead, use a crash-test-certified crate to give your pet the best possible chance of survival in a crash. The Center for Pet Safety has tested several crates for their Center for Pet Safety certified list, including the Gunner G1 Kennel, which received a five-star crash-test rating. It's also a top pick in our guide the best airline cat carriers. Crating may also help alleviate motion sickness in some dogs, according to Fraser.

Petsafe Happy Ride Bi-Fold Pet Ramp, available at Chewy, Amazon, and Wayfair, from $74.95

Just because a dog's mobility is limited doesn't mean they aren't an ideal road trip companion. Bring along a lightweight car ramp to make your travels with an older or disabled dog go more smoothly and save you from having to lift them in and out of the vehicle 20 times a day. In between stops, just fold up the ramp and slide it behind the seat for easy storage.

Sleepypod Clickit Sport Dog Safety Harness, available at Sleepypod, $94.99

Sleepypod Clickit Terrain Dog Safety Harness, available at Sleepypod, $94.99

Testing done by the Center for Pet Safety indicates that a crash-test-certified travel harness is an effective way to keep a dog safe on a road trip, especially a dog that has never been crate trained or that suffers from confinement distress. Sleepypod's Clickit Sport Harness and Terrain Harness each earned a five-star rating. They attach to the seat belts in the back seat of a car through built-in loops.

Read our full review of the Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness.

Munchkin Brica Window Shade, available at Buy Buy Baby, Target, and Amazon, from $14.99

Even with the air conditioning on full blast, the interior of the car can heat up to uncomfortable levels when temperatures get extreme outside. Sunshades can help to minimize the greenhouse effect inside the car by blocking the heat out. Don't expect them to help when you've parked the car, though. Temperatures can skyrocket inside a parked car in just minutes. "Never leave your dog in the car, even with the windows down, and even for just a few minutes," said Fraser.

Orvis Grip-Tight Windowed Hammock Seat Protector, available at Orvis, from $189

If any portion of your road trip involves hiking, camping, or other explorations of the great outdoors, do yourself a favor and get a water-resistant seat cover to protect your car from moisture and dirt. This version from Orvis blankets the back seat and the backs of the front seats. A see-through mesh panel between the two front seats prevents your dog from feeling too isolated.

Carhartt Dog Blanket, available at Amazon and Carhartt, from $84.99

If you're exhausted by the end of a day of driving, so is your dog. Whether you're staying in a hotel or camping overnight, pack something soft and cozy for your pup to cuddle up in. I always bring a soft, washable blanket along for the ride. Not only is a blanket easy to fit into an overstuffed trunk, it's ultra-portable and can double as a dog bed whenever needed.

Adventure Dog Series Medical Kit, available at Chewy, $27.49

From foxtails to ticks, there are dozens of nasty surprises that await your dog on a road trip. Be prepared for the dangers in your path with a high-quality pet first-aid kit. Fraser also recommends downloading the American Red Cross's Pet First-Aid app to help you navigate minor injuries. If you're headed for a specific destination, she suggests looking up a local emergency clinic before you arrive.

Kong H20 Stainless Steel Dog Water Bottle, available at Amazon and Chewy, from $11.21

Whether you're on a nature walk or in a socially distanced beer garden, keep your dog hydrated with a combination water bottle and dog bowl. This version from Kong is made of insulated stainless steel that will keep liquids cool and refreshing all day long.

Heininger Waterboy Portable Pet Bowl, available at Chewy, $24.95

Heininger's portable water bowl, which has a reservoir that fills with water when laid flat, has lived in my car on and off for years. Leave it out while you drive — the well has been designed to minimize spillage — or stand it up to drain the well water back into the jug. The BPA-free device holds up to 3 quarts of liquid.

Signature K9 Biothane Long Line, available at Amazon, from $34.99

Even if your dog has an excellent recall, the allure of the new environments they'll be exploring on your road trip may prove more powerful than your cue. Bring along a 15- to 20-foot long line to give your dog some freedom while ensuring they remain out of trouble.

West Paw Toppl, available at Chewy, Walmart, and West Paw, from $18.95

Keep your dog from getting restless on the road by occupying them with treat-dispensing puzzle toys. West Paw's Toppl can be stuffed with treats, spread with peanut butter, or sprayed with cheesy goodness. For smarty pants dogs, try combining a large Toppl with a small one to create a toy that's a bit more challenging.

Earthbath Green Tea & Awapuhi Grooming Wipes, available at Petco, $15.99

Bodhi Dog Waterless Lavender Dog Dry Shampoo, available at Chewy and Amazon, $13.99

On the road, there may be hundreds of miles between you and the closest dog-washing station, but if your dog is living their best road trip life, chances are they'll need at least a little cleanup before your trip is over. Grooming wipes are an easy way to freshen up your dog's coat or remove debris from their paws or muzzle. If you've got a dog that loves to roll in stinky things, I can tell you from experience that you'll need something stronger to remove the stench. A waterless dog shampoo works a bit better and it never hurts to bring a bottle along for the ride.

Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack, available at Ruffwear, Backcountry, and REI, from $53.93

If you plan on doing a lot of hiking or backpacking on your road trip, it's only fair that your dog should carry their share of the gear. Always limit your dog's load to no more than 25% of their body weight and make sure the pack fits properly before your adventure.

Orvis Hose-Off Folding Travel Crate, available at Orvis, $159

To keep everyone safe when you leave your hotel room, you'll need a portable crate to set up inside your room. While most hotels don't require this, I've heard one too many horror stories about a hotel staff member who has been bitten after walking into a room with a canine guest. Choose something that collapses flat and has a handle for easy carrying. I like Orvis's version, which also has two doors and plenty of ventilation and comes with a padded fleece mat.

To ensure the success of a road trip with your pup, you'll need a handful of items to keep them safe and comfortable during long drives. Dogs also need regular breaks from the road, just like we do. "Stopping every few hours to get out, move around, and use the bathroom is ideal," said Fraser.

All that driving also increases the possibility that your dog may, at some point, experience some car sickness. Most dogs outgrow motion sickness in puppyhood, according to Fraser, but if your dog is prone to nausea in the car, things like withholding food for a few hours before traveling or letting your dog see out the window can help. Roll down the window for additional airflow but not so low that your dog can thrust their head into the wind. That's very dangerous. "You know the sound your windshield makes when a rock hits it? Imagine your dog being hit by that rock. Ouch!" Wolko said.

Before you embark on your trip, Fraser recommends making sure your pet is up-to-date on their vaccines and parasite control. Consult your vet if you have questions. They can also provide you with anti-nausea medication if your dog frequently experiences motion sickness.

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].