The best dog travel crates to hit the road with in 2023

Updated 26/09/23

Jetting off on the trip of a lifetime with your pooch pal in tow? First of all, we’re super jealous you get to travel with your dog. But whether you’re packing your bags for an adventure in the mountains or some good old “vitamin-sea”, one thing you mustn’t forget is a travel crate for your best bud. Continue reading to find out which is the best dog travel crate for you and your pooch, as well as why crates are so important and how to distinguish “the best” from all the rest.

Why are dog crates important? 

We know, a road trip with nothing but the wind in your hair and your best bud by your side sounds like the dream, but leaving your pet pal to rein free in your car is not only downright distracting, it can lead to hefty fines for the driver and may even invalidate the insurance. While many pet parents opt for a seat belt harness to keep their pooch pals in one place, dog crates, otherwise known as travel carriers, are the safest option for everyone. Popping your canine in a crate for the journey will cause less distraction and therefore safer driving, and the pup is less likely to cause injury to itself and others in the unfortunate event of a crash. Of course, if you’re traveling by train or plane, many companies require your pooch pal to be popped into a travel crate, sometimes in the cargo area. So how do you find the best dog travel crate for your furry friend? 

Related article: How to crate train an older dog

How to choose the best dog travel crate

Here are a few things to bear in mind on your quest to find the best dog crate for travel. 

Safety

Manufacturers of pet travel crates are not required to test their products by law. This means that many crates marketed as “crash tested”, haven’t passed any kind of official performance test, and we cannot be sure of the standards of the manufacturer and its testing procedures. For this very reason, the CPS (Centre for Pet Safety) carried out a series of impartial crash tests for a number of dog safety products, the majority of which can be found on our list of the best dog travel crates. Pet parents should always follow the instructions of the travel crate they are using and be sure to secure the crate with strong straps when necessary. Securing the crate correctly as well as choosing a travel crate that has passed the CPS tests not only ensures the safety of your pooch pal but also the other passengers in the car in the event of a crash. 

Materials

Crates should be made from molded polythene with plenty of air holes for ventilation and high-quality connection points to keep the crate in place in the event of a crash. Wire crates won’t do much to protect your fur baby and crates made from plastic may also break on impact. Soft-sided crates and fabric crates are also not recommended for trips in the car as they offer little protection.

Size

Measure your dog and choose a crate that they will fit into snugly (too much extra space can cause injury in the event of a crash), but that still provides enough room to get comfortable. Generally speaking, the crate should never be more than six inches longer than the dog. It should be light enough to be carried with ease, and many will have carrying handles to help dog owners move them around. 

Location

If you can, put the crate in the back seat of the car. Not only is this the safest place for your pooch to travel, but they will also feel more comfortable if they can see their pet parents and the outside world. That being said, many of the travel crates we’ve chosen are literally bulletproof, so your pooch pal should be just as safe in the trunk of the car. Now, let’s take a look at our pick of the best travel crates for dogs.

The best dog travel crate overall

G1 Gunner Kennel 

Sure, we’ve got some great options for travel crates, but this comes out as the best travel crate for dogs for a number of reasons. One of the few crates crash-test certified by the CPS, this is one of the safest options for you and your pooch pal when traveling by car. The double-walled crate provides protection against impact and the windows are proven to repel rain, sleet and snow. The door is reinforced with an aluminum frame to ensure the safety of your best bud before, during, and after a crash, and the wide base and non-slip bottom stop the crate from moving around. Tie-down pins and straps give an added sense of security, and the handles make this crate easy to move from place to place. Rigorous testing (without a dog inside!) demonstrates how indestructible the crate is - it’s been shot at, thrown off a 200-foot cliff, and 4,000 lbs of pressure has been applied to it, all resulting in very little damage. 

The best large dog travel crate

Lucky Duck Kennel 

This is another crate that’s so safe it passed the CPS’s rigorous tests - an extra important piece of information when we’re talking about large dogs (the bigger the dog, the higher the chance of serious injury). This large crate is suitable for dogs weighing up to 110 lbs and features an injection-molded reversible door with a heavy-duty locking latch to keep your pooch safe and sound. The floor is pitched so water runs into drainage channels and the ventilation holes keep pups happy and comfortable. This crate is durable and built to last, earning it the title of the best travel crate for large dogs. If you’re not planning a getaway with your larger dog anytime soon but you’re in need of a safe space for them at home, check out our picks of the best large dog crates.

The best dog crate for car travel

Rock Creek Aluminium Crate

As the only aluminum dog crate with a 5-star crash test rating from the CPS, this is built to contain escape artist doggies with an extra taste for wanderlust when they’re out on the open road. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum with an internal welded frame, it's the ideal crate while you’re on the move but works just as well as a safe space to comfort dogs with separation anxiety at home.

The best collapsible dog crate for travel

Amazon Basics Collapsible Dog Travel Crate

While folding crates may not protect your pooch from a collision, it’s still safer to pop them into one while you’re traveling to avoid distraction. One of our cheapest options and scoring high for practicality, this crate has mesh fabric windows and doors for ventilation and visibility which help keep anxious pups calm on long journeys. Doors can be opened at the front and top, and the PVC frame is easy to assemble and can be folded down when not in use. 

The best dog travel bag

Diggs Passenger Travel Carrier

Having passed the crash test for car travel by the CPS, this bag allows your pooch pal to travel in style as you jet-set together. Seat belt clips and a buckle strap keep four-legged friends secure whether they’re traveling by car, train or plane, and the bag meets most airlines’ carry-on pet travel requirements, too. What’s more, it’s easy to clean and a pee pad can be attached in case of accidents. 

Best dog crate for small dogs

VarioCage Minimax Dog Travel Crate

Designed for the comfort of small dogs, this crate keeps you and your pooch pals safe as you hit the road. While it hasn’t been assessed by the CPS specifically, this cage has been crash tested to ensure dogs and passengers will be safe in the event of an accident. Manufactured by specialists in automotive safety products, the steel frame is designed to crumple to absorb shock in the event of a collision and a rear escape hatch can be used in an emergency. The frame also allows for lots of ventilation and ample opportunities for your best bud to keep an eye on his loved ones.

So next time your pooch pal decides to hitch a lift, we hope everyone is safer and more comfortable with one of our picks of the best dog crates for travel. Bon voyage!

Of course, if your pooch pal doesn’t share your free-spirited and adventurous streak, why not consider an in-house pet sitter? It's a great way for pet parents like you to vacation, explore, and roam to your heart's content, knowing your furbaby is safe and happy at home in the hands of a fellow pet lover - just like you! Piqued your interest? Find out more about how it works right here.