Whether you already live in the USA or are heading there from overseas, the USA is an amazing country to travel around with your dog. It’s such a huge country and has so much on offer: from spectacular natural scenery to world-class cities, from sunny tropical beaches to mountains covered in snow.
While it’s not as dog-friendly as most of Europe, it’s still very easy to travel around the USA with a dog, whether you’re road-tripping across the country or visiting for a quick break.
During late 2018, I travelled to the USA with my dog, a Miniature Dachshund called Schnitzel, and spent 7 weeks travelling around the country. We flew into New York to hit up the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Then we flew across the country to Los Angeles, spending 5 weeks road-tripping around the south-west of the country and living up in LA. We were meant to return in 2020, but not surprisingly those plans were cancelled.
If you’re also interested in travelling around the USA with your dog, I’ve put together this guide to help you in your travels.
First time travelling with your dog? Check out my guide on how to travel with a dog for lots of tips!
Paperwork for Travelling to the USA with a Dog
The regulations for travelling to the USA with a dog are quite simple, as long as your dog hasn’t visited any high risk countries for dog rabies in the last six months, and you’re not heading to Hawaii or Guam.
For dogs being imported from low-risk or rabies-free countries, dogs simply need to be at least six months old, be microchipped and appear healthy. You need to complete a CDC Dog Import Form. There is no federal requirement for a rabies certificate, although it is recommended and individual states may require one.
If your dog has spent any time in a high-risk rabies country in the last six months (including transiting in the cabin or as excess baggage), the rules are more onerous, unless your dog is originally from the USA and still has a valid rabies vaccine given before departure.
At a minimum, your dog will need to spend some time in a CDC-approved animal care facility. If they don’t have a valid rabies titre test, also expect a quarantine period of up to 28 days.
For more details, including the possible need for a certificate that your dog is free of screwworm (this currently applies for dogs from Mexico) and checking the state regulations, read my post on the vaccines and paperwork you require to travel to the USA.
Paperwork for Travelling Between the States with a Dog
Technically, paperwork may be necessary to travel to some of the states in the USA with a dog. However, excepting Hawaii and Alaska, when I reviewed the details for many states, this is mainly for permanent moves of dogs, not just dogs travelling through a state.
Additionally, discussing this with other people who have travelled in the USA with their dogs, this is not something they had done, other than always travelling with a rabies certificate for their dog.
I travelled between 11 of the lower 48 states with my dog, including flying from coast to coast, without anything being required or checked. To double check the state you are visiting, head to this page on the APHIS website.
The main exceptions are Hawaii and Alaska. As an island state, Hawaii has managed to stay rabies-free. This means that a more complicated process is required, including quarantine on arrival in Hawaii or alternatively lots of preparation in advance.
Read my guide on how to prepare your dog to travel to Hawaii (and avoid quarantine). Make sure you start preparations at least two months in advance!
The rules to take your dog to Alaska are somewhat simpler. Your dog will require a health certificate issued within 30 days of arrival, including a rabies vaccination if they are three months of age or older. For full details on the health certificates accepted, click here.
Long-Distance Transport in the USA with a Dog
Flying in the USA with a Dog
As a large country, one of the easiest ways to get around the USA is by flying. Luckily then, dogs are allowed to fly with all of the main airlines.
Some airlines only allow small dogs and cats (and sometimes other species) to travel in the cabin, while a few airlines also transport pets in the hold, whether as excess baggage or cargo, although options for pets travelling in the hold have been limited in recent years.
If looking to travel with your pet in the USA, check out my guide to the pet policies of the major US airlines.
The rules for whether pets can travel in the cabin are generally more flexible than in Europe, with often only a maximum carrier size specified now by most airlines. The typical fee to fly with a pet in the cabin is about $100-$150 per segment.
Read my guide on buying the best carrier bag for flying with your dog
Our Experience Flying with a Dog
During our time in the USA, we flew with Alaska Airlines from Washington Dulles Airport to Los Angeles Airport, a 5 1/2 hour flight. Small pets are accepted in the cabin by Alaska as long as they are small enough to fit in a soft-sided carrier that is a maximum of 17” long x 11” wide x 9.5” high for a fee of $100 USD.
A maximum of 5 pets are allowed in the cabin, so we firstly checked that there was availability on the flight, then booked out tickets online, then called up to add our pet to our booking. We didn’t have to pay the pet fee until check-in. Click here to read the full Alaska Airlines pet policy.
Pet Relief Areas at Airports in the USA
One big plus about flying with a dog in the USA rather than Europe, is that airports are a lot more pet-friendly than the airports in Europe.
At Washington Dulles Airport we made use of the pet-relief areas after travelling through security. It was well-sign-posted, as well as listed on the website, so you can plan in advance.
I recommend checking out the locations of pet relief areas in airports that you’ll be flying to, including whether they are before or after security. It’s always good to be prepared when your dog decides they need to go!
Taking Long-Distance Trains in the USA with a Dog
If you’re travelling with a small dog, an alternative to flying shorter distances is to instead travel by train. Amtrak allows small pets to travel on many of their trains. However, before counting on bringing your pet along for a train journey, it’s best to first review the rules.
Despite a generous maximum size for your pet carrier (19″ long x 14″ wide x 10.5” high), there is a maximum weight of 20 pounds (9kg), although this wasn’t checked on the two train trips I took. Pets are also only allowed on trips up to seven hours duration, and there are a few train services that still don’t allow pets. Plus the pet fees are cheaper than when flying, although they have increased in recent years.
Read my comprehensive post for a full explanation of the rules and more about our experience travelling with our dog on Amtrak. We travelled from New York City to Philadelphia then from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., and found it quite comfortable.
Can You Take Long-Distance Buses in the USA with a Dog?
Despite being named after a dog, the Greyhound long distance buses in the USA don’t allow pet dogs onboard, only certified service animals. This is similar to most long distance buses in Europe.
Local Transport in the USA with a Dog
Whether you can use local transport in the USA with your dog depends on the size of your dog. While we visited New York City and Washington, D.C. we caught the subway or buses multiple times with our pup. However, our dog is quite small and we firstly read up on the rules.
In both cases, we had to carry our dog in an enclosed bag, including within the subway station. Disconcertingly, at the entrance to the subway stations in Washington, D.C., there is a sign that indicates that dogs are forbidden. I quickly double-checked their website while waiting for a train to confirm my dog in a carrier bag was really allowed!
In each case, a small dog in a carrier bag travelled for free. Most large cities in the USA have similar rules, but always check first.
If you dog is too large to travel on local transport, or there isn’t anything on offer, a good alternative is Uber or Lyft. We used these services multiple times in the USA and each time our driver had no issues with our dog, although he was usually in a carrier bag.
Send a message to your driver in advance and ideally have a blanket for your dog, if they aren’t in an enclosed carrier. Some cities offer the UberPet option, with a guarantee your pet will be allowed in return for a higher rate.
Hiring a Car in the USA with a Dog
Naturally, the easiest way to get around most places in the USA is by car. Additionally, there’s plenty of charm in road-tripping in the USA, whether it’s in addition to flying around or if you’re planning on driving from coast to coast. During my time in the USA, going on road trips was my favourite way of travelling with my dog in the USA.
When hiring a car, there’s a lot less rules to worry about. Most car rental companies in the USA will have a pet policy on their website, but for most companies (including Avis and Thrifty, the two companies I used) the main rule is to return the car clean, free of pet hair and pet odours.
I recommend using a pet bed or blanket so that you pet isn’t sitting directly on the seats, plus vacuum-cleaning the car before you return it if your pet sheds a lot.
Rules for whether your pet needs to be restrained vary from state to state, plus between rental car companies. However, it’s always a good idea to always restrain your dog when travelling in a car, for the safety of both your pet and other occupants of the vehicle.
When looking into hiring an RV (an option I didn’t go through with), I noticed that the rules for whether pets are allowed vary greatly between companies. Some companies ban pets, others decide on a case-by-case basis, while other companies are pet-friendly.
In particular, I noticed that Cruise America are particularly pet-friendly, just requesting that you return the RV in its original condition.
Dining Out in the USA with a Dog
If you’re looking to dine inside with your dog in the USA, you’re out of luck. While some parts of the country do allow pets to dine with you at restaurants and cafes, you’ll be restricted to the outdoor patios.
The rules for this vary from state to state, and sometimes even county to county, so investigate first or ask the restaurant. Asking is always a good idea, as it’s also up to the discretion of individual restaurants.
This is fine if you’re visiting during the milder months of the year, but come wintertime dining outside isn’t an option in much of the USA. Alternatives to dining out with your dog include hitting up the drive-through or getting takeaway (and then dining in your vehicle or in your accommodation), or looking for somewhere with outdoor heating.
If you are allowed to dine on the patio with your dog, check whether they offer a pet menu. Alternatively, I always make sure that I have some treats on hand (long-lasting chews work best) to keep my dog occupied while I’m eating.
Dog-Friendly Accommodation in the USA
Luckier it’s easier to find dog-friendly accommodation in the USA, with a range of pet-friendly accommodation options to choose from.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in the USA
For starters, there’s plenty of dog-friendly hotels no matter what part of the USA you’re visiting, although the number of pet-friendly hotels varies between different cities.
If you’re looking for affordable yet dog-friendly hotels right across the USA, often without any additional pet free, I mainly stayed at and recommend three pet-friendly hotel chains: Motel 6, Red Roof Inn and La Quinta. Most of these hotels are located on the outskirts of cities with free parking, ideal if you’re on a road-trip.
For a more luxurious stay, a great option is the Kimpton chain of hotels. At all Kimpton properties, as long as your pet fits through the door they are welcome. There are no size, weight or breed restrictions, plus no pet fees are charged.
Pet-Friendly Airbnbs in the USA
If you can’t find a suitable hotel, the other option that I turned to in the USA was Airbnb. However, the price of Airbnbs, especially cleaning fees, has been rising in recent years, at least for whole home stays.
The main places where I stayed in Airbnbs were in the centre of cities, where I didn’t have the budget to splurge on a high-end city centre hotel. Instead, I often staying in pet-friendly Airbnbs that were private rooms in a household that already had a pet. It was also a great way to meet fellow pet owners!
Pet-Friendly Camping in the USA
Another way to see the USA with your dog is in an RV, staying at pet-friendly campsites. This is quite a popular option with pet owners, although always check first with your rental company that dogs are permitted in the vehicle and the rules for individual camp sites.
Some of the best pet-friendly camp sites in the USA are run by KOA. Some KOA campsites have onsite off-leash dog parks, known as KampK9. Selected campsites also now offer private fenced RV sites for a premium price, dubbed Premium Paw Pen Sites. Just set up camp inside and let your dog off-leash!
Another extra pet-friendly campsite in the USA is 4PawsKingdom Campground. The only dog dedicated campground in the USA, it’s located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Onsite are multiple dog parks, an agility area and lure course, a grooming area and more.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in the USA
If you’re not planning on spending your USA vacation visiting museums and the like, there’s plenty of dog-friendly sightseeing options available. In particular, if you’re mainly wanting to experience the beautiful natural scenery the country has on offer, there’s always some dog-friendly options.
Some of the highlights of my seven-week trip around the USA with my dog included visiting the lookouts of the Grand Canyon, driving through Joshua Tree National Park, playing on the beach in San Francisco and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
If you’d like to visit national parks in the USA, check the website of the specific national park first. Dogs are allowed in all national parks in your vehicle, on paved roads and other developed areas, plus in many campgrounds.
Some national parks also allow pets on specific hiking trails. For instance, when visiting the Grand Canyon National Park, dogs are allowed to join you (on a leash, of course) along the South Rim trail. Also pay attention to whether shuttle buses operate in the national park, especially during the peak summer periods, as only service dogs are allowed on shuttle buses.
These dog-friendly options are some of my recommendations for travelling in the USA with your dog in the eastern United States:
- 7 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Pennsylvania
- 7 Top Dog-Friendly Hikes near Philadelphia
- 9 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Virginia
- 5 Dog-Friendly Hikes in Red River Gorge, KY
- 16 Fun Dog-Friendly Things to do in Florida
The western United States:
- 14 Dog-Friendly Sightseeing Ideas in Arizona
- 10 Dog-Friendly Sightseeing Ideas in California
- 9 Fun Dog-Friendly Things to Do in New Mexico
- 6 Dog-Friendly Sightseeing Ideas in Nevada
- 7 Dog-Friendly Sightseeing Ideas in Oregon
- 7 Dog-Friendly Sightseeing Ideas in San Francisco
- 12 Fun Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Utah
- Dog-Friendly Things to Do at Yosemite
And all around the United States:
If you do decide to visit somewhere that doesn’t allow dogs, there are plenty of options to make it work. For starters, some attractions have pet kennels where you can leave your pet during your visit. This was the case when I visited Disneyland, although their kennel has since closed. There are also kennels at or near many national parks – check the pet policy for the national park.
Alternatively, consider a nearby doggie day care, making contact with a local dog sitter through one of the online websites, or leaving your dog behind in your accommodation, such as if your Airbnb host is fine with looking after your dog for the evening. Check out my guide to options when visiting non-dog-friendly attractions.
Dog-Friendly Guides to US Cities
Looking for more details on visiting a specific city in the USA with a dog? Along with some awesome guest bloggers, I’ve put together these guides on different cities:
- Dog-Friendly Guide to Los Angeles, California
- Dog-Friendly Guide to Miami, Florida
- Dog-Friendly Guide to New Orleans, Louisiana
- Dog-Friendly Guide to New York City, New York
- Dog-Friendly Guide to Palm Springs, California
- Dog-Friendly Guide to Portland, Oregon
- Dog-Friendly Guide to San Diego, California
- Dog-Friendly Guide to San Francisco, California
- Dog-Friendly Guide to Washington, D.C.
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
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Great Post and Nice Article.All of the Photos are so good .I like it.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Panchito!
hi – really enjoyed reading your article – as i want to visit USA with my Pooch.
Loved your photographs,
Thanks Angelina! Enjoy your adventures!
So many American dog owners told me how to fake being a service dog, then you can go everywhere.
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for all the great information!! We are planning to fly into Las Vegas and stay there and do a day trip to Grand Canyon with a small maltese well behaved dog. My mom won’t go on the trip if she can’t bring her dog and her dream to see Grand Canyon before she passes. Are their any tour companies that you know of that accept dogs from Vegas to Grand Canyon? I contacted one…. they accept dogs however two of their stops don’t on the tour. Just curious any recommendations and if you find it’s better to rent a car? Thanks!
It’s probably easier to rent a car, so that you just visit dog-friendly stops. A fair bit of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is dog-friendly, as long as you stay above the rim (and skip taking the shuttle bus) – see my guide: https://www.travelnuity.com/dog-friendly-grand-canyon/. However, I’ve noticed many of the Vegas day trips also go to Antelope Canyon, which unfortunately isn’t dog-friendly.
Hi Shandos,
Thanks for this article. Are you currently in Australia? Have you tried to travel overseas with Schnitzel from Australia? Which country and which airline are the easiest?
Thanks.
I’m currently back in my home country of Australia with Schnitzel. We have travelled overseas for one extended trip, visiting Europe and the USA. We had planned to go back overseas with Schnitzel, but Covid and health issues meant that never happened. It’s easiest to travel with a pet transport company, who can organise everything. Keep in mind there is an “approved” list of countries that pets cannot directly travel back to Australia from (otherwise they need to spend 6 months in an approved country first). Most European countries, the USA and Canada are all on the list, but many Asian countries such as Thailand are not.