Before a long drive with your dog, practise shorter car trips, plan how they will be safely restrained, and map out water, toilet and exercise stops. A little preparation is easier than trying to solve travel stress on the motorway.
Start with short, positive car trips
If your dog is new to car travel, begin well before your departure date. Let them explore the stationary car at their own pace, reward calm behaviour, then work up to brief drives before attempting a longer journey. Do not force a frightened dog into a long trip as their first experience. If they repeatedly drool, vomit or seem distressed, speak to your vet ahead of time about an appropriate plan rather than trying medication on your own.
Plan a safe place in the vehicle
Secure your dog so they cannot distract the driver or move freely around the cabin. A vehicle restraint or appropriately secured transport crate should be suitable for your dog's size and fitted according to its manufacturer's instructions. A walking harness is not automatically a crash-tested car restraint; check the evidence for the specific product rather than relying on a general safety claim.
Rules for transporting dogs differ between Australian states and territories. Check the road rules and animal welfare requirements for each place you will drive through, especially if your route crosses a border.
Prepare the route and your dog
- Check that your dog's microchip contact details and identification tag are current, particularly for interstate travel.
- Ask your vet about any health concerns, regular medicines and destination-specific preventive care before leaving.
- Plan regular breaks for water, toileting and on-lead exercise in safe places. Keep your dog on lead in unfamiliar areas.
- Keep the car comfortably ventilated and never leave your dog unattended in a parked vehicle, even on a mild day.
What should you pack?
Bring enough of your dog's usual food and any prescribed medicine for the trip, fresh drinking water and a bowl, a lead and collar or harness, bedding, poo bags and a towel. Keep essential items accessible rather than buried under luggage. Before you leave, confirm that your accommodation accepts dogs and save the contact details of a vet near your destination.
For the drive itself, a familiar routine, a safely secured travel space and breaks planned around your dog's needs matter more than adding extra gear. If your dog struggles with car travel despite gradual practice, ask your vet for individual advice before committing to a long journey.
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