Free printable field guide

The dog
road-trip
checklist.

A practical departure, packing, and stop-by-stop plan for the passenger with four paws. Adjust it for your dog, route, weather, and veterinarian’s advice.

No email. No signup. Just print.

Start with the non-negotiables

Secure. Identify. Hydrate. Stop.

Keep dogs from roaming the vehicle or riding with their head outside a window. Use an appropriate back-seat harness or secured, ventilated crate; plan frequent supervised stops; and never leave a dog alone in a parked vehicle.

01

Before the keys turn

  • Confirm your dog is comfortable with progressively longer practice drives
  • Update the microchip registration and ID tag contact details
  • Check vaccinations, medication, and destination-specific documents with your veterinarian
  • Save your regular vet and destination emergency-vet phone numbers
  • Check the forecast, route, pet rules, and planned rest stops
02

The dog bag

  • Water from home or bottled water, plus a collapsible bowl
  • Usual food, treats, medication, and written dosing instructions
  • Leash, harness, current ID tag, and backup leash
  • Waste bags, towel, pet-safe wipes, and a familiar blanket or toy
  • First-aid supplies and copies of vaccination or travel records
  • A recent photo of your dog, stored offline on your phone
03

Before every drive

  • Give your dog a bathroom and movement break before securing them
  • Secure your dog in the back seat with an appropriate harness or in a ventilated, secured crate
  • Check that a crate cannot slide and allows standing, sitting, lying down, and turning around
  • Keep the leash accessible before opening any vehicle door
  • Confirm the cabin temperature and water supply are comfortable
04

At every stop

  • Park before offering food, water, or attention
  • Leash your dog before opening the door
  • Offer water, a bathroom break, and a short supervised stretch
  • Check paws, breathing, comfort, and restraint fit
  • Never leave your dog alone in a parked vehicle

Cut out or photograph this section

Emergency card

If your dog needs urgent help, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic.

Dog’s name

Microchip number

Regular veterinarian

Destination emergency vet

Medication / allergy notes

Emergency contact

Safety notes, not veterinary advice

Check the rules for your exact trip.

Health, vaccination, documentation, restraint, medication, and destination requirements vary. Ask your veterinarian what applies to your dog. For current official guidance, see the CDC pet travel guide and the USDA APHIS pet travel portal.

Optional trailhead layer

Checklist packed.
Copilot dressed.

The NomaPaw Adventure Bandana is a supervised fashion accessory with original road-trip artwork. It is not a collar, restraint, safety device, or chew toy.

Shop the bandana · $28 No code needed. The $28 opening price is shown at secure Shopify checkout; shipping and applicable taxes appear there.
Dog wearing the NomaPaw Adventure Buddy bandana outdoors