There is something we all love about animals going on adventures. Movies, such as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) and Dog (2022), are popular for many reasons. Primarily, they help us see the world through innocent creatures’ eyes. Thankfully, they always find their way home for a happy-ever-after finale.
For many pet owners, this fantasy scenario is a reality they wish to be part of. A recent Grand View Research study illustrates just how far pet owners are including animals in their travel plans. The survey reveals how the majority of global pet owners now take their animal family members on vacation.
America’s Traveling Pets
Furthermore, the data shows that the United States accounts for by far the largest share of the current global market. While the Asia Pacific region has the fastest-growing “pet travel services” industry, it isn’t the biggest. Today, this title belongs to the United States, with 40% of the total, according to the latest figures.
The Grand View report also coincides with the 2025 American Pet Products Association (APPA) review of its National Pet Owners Survey. The latter report looks at American owner trends across the map. The lowdown: humans are treating their pets better than ever before, and this extends to holidays.
A Dog’s Life
Canines have a clear nose and tail lead over all other pets in the pet vacation race. Since 2023, a consistent 87% of dog owners have been taking their best friends on road trip vacations. This fact also coincides with a boom in home-based adventures. IBIS World published figures showing a rise in US domestic travel over recent years.
In an age where American households have more pets than children, it’s no surprise the pet wellness market is ablaze. For some, their car and their dog are the two most important aspects of their lives.
The Great American Road Trip for Dogs
Taking one’s dog on a road trip has always been a popular American pastime. Conveniently, many four-wheeled vacationers have put in the groundwork for others to enjoy. There are entire platforms dedicated to helping make your pooch’s car journey worthwhile. For instance, Pet travel blog Bring Fido has created dozens of dog-and-car itineraries for any preference.
Traveling with your dog isn’t just about bringing them along; it’s about seeing the world together. Every rest stop, trail, and ocean breeze becomes part of a shared adventure. When pets travel with us, they remind us to slow down and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.” — Jason Wilson, founder of Caninely.
The website has a guide to every possibility imaginable for your pet’s next outing, such as:
- Summer beach road trips.
- Campground road trips.
- State Park road trips.
- State-specific road trips.
- Island day trips.
What’s more, the dog road trip retail market has never looked healthier. Indeed, car-related dog accessories are now ubiquitous, and the products on offer unite gearheads and dog parents.
Anybody planning their next odyssey will likely want the most comfortable experience possible. First-timers especially have many things to consider before setting off.
Planning Ahead for Your Dog’s Road Trip
Doggie vacation specialist 4Knines offers a range of products designed to bring harmony to any road trip. The website also gives a breakdown of essentials any driver must have before planning a trip. Lid-locking containers, measuring cups, and collapsible water bowls are just a few of the items on a military-style list of doggie road-trip supplies.
“Any dog lover knows that a vacation is just not the same if your dogs can’t join in on the fun!” reads the page heading. “We are huge fans of bringing the dogs along whenever possible.”
Furthermore, canine niche aftermarket vendor The Pawket goes a step further, with a range of pampering products for any furry sidekick. One of its sold-out products is a luxury large dog car seat and travel bed.
“When you’re loading up for a road trip with your dog, you’re not just prepping the car; you’re making sure every mile is safe, comfortable, and memorable for both of you. That means the right car setup, the right mindset, and treating your pet’s ride as seriously as your own,” said John Voulgarakis of Lightning Auto Service.
First-Class Comfort for Man’s Best Friend
“Spoil them in first-class comfort with The Pawket’s multifunctional large dog car seat,” reads the description. What makes this entry unique is the concept words used — the marketing copy mixes phrases like “travel anxiety” with “luxury” and “adventure.”
Unsurprisingly, the new dawn in doggie road trips has created new market spaces for new ventures. One manifestation of this is the arrival of self-service dog-cleaning centers, much like urban laundromats.
Other business models are catching on, with concession dog-washing units now visible in service stations across the country. Several companies have emerged recently, although business owners had been discussing the idea for some time.
An Adapting Dog-Friendly Market
A National Oil and Lube News (NOLN) post from 2017 floats the idea of turning America’s canine love story into retail dollars. “Just as dogs don’t drive, they can’t simply be led through the carwash,” reads an entry from contributor Peter Suciu. “But a dog, or more accurately, pet-wash station can be added as a bonus service and new revenue stream.”
Subsequent dog-cleaning machines are now common in gas stations across America, such as Pastor’s Gas Station in Citrus Heights, California. A Citrus Heights Sentinel report from 2020 depicts a happy owner using the 10-minute wash service. Beneath: the sales pitch.
“My daughter swears by the conditioner,” owner Randy Pastor told the newspaper. “She did her dog, and she said he’s never felt so soft.”
Something for Every Travel Occasion
If comfort, travel itineraries, and washing units aren’t enough, some dog-owning road-trippers could take things to another level. Illustrating this, a marvelous Etsy product is a set of pet eye goggles. Even dogs who spend much of the journey with their head outside the window now have the perfect complement.
You could say the doggy travel niche is now no longer a niche at all, and well-traveled dogs have commercial sway like any other human tourist. This generation of hounds has never had it so good, and some lucky pets can expect an “incredible journey” all of their own.
