Small lists. Smoother road trips.
Fifteen practical checklists for road trips with your dog. Pick the page you need or download the complete set. Free PDFs, with no sign-up.
Get the full set
All 15 checklists in one 15-page PDF. Print the whole set or just the pages you need.
White backgrounds, dark text and space for your notes. Every checklist fits on one page. Choose US Letter or A4 and print at actual size (100%).
Check them off in your trip
All 15 lists are also in the planner. Open a trip and choose Checklists to check items off and save your progress for that trip. Save the trip to your account to pick up on another device.
Start with the dog travel guide
Taking your first road trip with your dog? Use our guide to put the checklists into practice, from a short practice drive to your first hotel overnight.
01 · Before you book
Give the property your dog's size, the number of dogs and your planned dates. Ask for the applicable terms and keep the answers with your reservation.
- Total pet fee and deposits
- Size and number limits
- Eligible room types
- Unattended-dog rules
- Where dogs may go on-site
- First-floor room near an exit
02 · The reachable stop bag
Keep the kit accessible when parked. Adapt quantities to your dog and trip, and replenish it after use. This is the quick-stop kit, not your full travel packing list.
- Leash
- Bowl
- Water
- Waste bags
- Towel
- Wet wipes
03 · Plan the whole travel day
Estimate each part separately before committing to an overnight. Leave some time unassigned so one longer stop does not force every later decision.
- Driving time
- Dog stops
- Meals and fuel
- Loading and unloading
- Check-in and settling in
04 · The overnight dog kit
Keep this kit together for overnight stays and adapt it to your dog's usual routine. Include their medications and supplements, plus any other personal essentials.
- Usual food and feeding items
- Water and bowls
- Medications and supplements
- Leash and waste bags
- Familiar bedding or mat
- Towel and used-gear bag
05 · Before you pull away
Make this a parked, pre-departure review. Check the actual items and confirmations instead of relying on the memory of packing them.
- Stop bag is reachable
- Dog essentials are packed
- Overnight details are saved
- First stop has been checked
- Contact details are current
06 · Choose a dog stop
Use current information from the park or property where possible. Check signs on arrival; access, opening hours and dog rules can change.
- Dog access and leash rules
- Current opening hours
- Actual parking entrance
- Permitted walking area
- A workable backup stop
07 · Arrive at the hotel
Request a first-floor room near an exit when booking, then confirm availability at check-in. Take a moment to locate the permitted dog areas before unpacking; an easy exit makes potty trips simpler.
- Confirm pet terms at check-in
- Locate permitted dog areas
- Find the nearest usable exit
- Check the room before settling
- Set out the overnight essentials
08 · Before you check out
Use one final sweep after the bags are packed. Check low and out-of-sight places as well as the obvious surfaces.
- Check under beds and furniture
- Look in outlets and drawers
- Collect bowls, toys and bedding
- Find the leash and stop bag
- Check checkout instructions
09 · Plan with your co-pilot
You do not need identical preferences. You do need to know where they differ and how you will make decisions together when plans change.
- Comfortable driving days
- Overnight budget
- Stops that matter to each person
- Who handles each arrival job
- How you will adjust the plan
10 · Your private trip note
Keep the note in a private place you can access when needed. Store current details with the relevant day, and share them only with your travel companions.
- Route and driving days
- Overnight addresses
- Property contact numbers
- Reservation and pet terms
- Questions still to confirm
11 · Compare hotel costs
Use quotes for the same dates, room needs and dogs. Ask how each charge is applied and distinguish a fee from a refundable deposit.
- Room price for your dates
- Taxes and required charges
- Pet fees and deposits
- Parking or other needed extras
- Cancellation and change terms
12 · Reset for tomorrow
Do the small restocking jobs while you have time to sort things out. Check the next day's details before you commit to an early departure.
- Replenish water and waste bags
- Swap out used towels
- Confirm the next overnight
- Review the first planned stop
- Set aside morning essentials
13 · Pack for wet weather
Choose a plan that works under the actual conditions and permitted dog access. Do not rely on an outdoor stop being useful just because it worked on a dry day.
- Reachable clean towel
- Separate bag for wet gear
- Washable floor or seat cover
- Spare socks for the humans
- Alternative stop or activity
14 · When the route changes
Make changes while parked or have a passenger handle them. Look at the effect on the whole remaining day, and contact the property if your arrival plan changes.
- Remaining drive and arrival time
- Next suitable dog stop
- Meals and fuel
- Overnight and reception hours
- Bookings that need an update
15 · After the trip
Capture a few practical changes while they are fresh. Record the date of a visit and recheck conditions before treating an old favorite as a current recommendation.
- Stops worth revisiting
- Places that did not fit
- Missing or unused gear
- Costs you had not expected
- One change for the next trip
Put your plan on the road
Bring your checklists along while you plan your route, dog stops and overnight stays.