The Best Way to Keep Your Dogs Safe in Cars

Keeping Dogs Safe in Cars: The Best and Worst Travel Methods Explained

You’ve made it through the vaccinations, nailed down the basics, and now you and your dog are ready to take on the world. First stop: the beach? The lake? Maybe the mountains for a little escape? So many places to see, so little time.

But here’s a problem: how do you safely transport your dog? Should you let your dog, free roam in the car? What if we get into a car accident? Would a crate or a seat belt harness be better? Is there a safest option? Probably and that’s what we’re about to explore.

I remember facing this exact question when I first started taking Freya on adventures. If you’ve ever driven with a dog, you know how much of a distraction they can be. As much as they love bouncing around, I realized I needed to keep her safe and keep my eyes on the road.

Crash-Tested Crates: The Gold Standard for Car Safety

If you want to travel with your dog as safely as possible, crash-tested crates are the gold standard. In 2015, the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), in partnership with Subaru, ran full crash simulations using dog-shaped dummies to test popular crates. Spoiler: most didn’t hold up (CPS).

The clear standout was the Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate, which stayed anchored, kept its structure, and fully contained the dog during impact, so well that CPS didn’t even feel the need for a second test. But here’s the catch: many other crates that looked strong on the outside actually failed. Even some heavy-duty or “crash-rated” models collapsed, shifted, or lost containment when put to the test.

That level of safety doesn’t come cheap. Crash-tested crates are heavy, expensive, and take up a lot of space. I don’t personally have one yet, but it’s on my wish list. Knowing Freya would be as secure as possible in a worst-case scenario is worth saving toward.

The takeaway? Not all crates are created equal. Everyday wire crates might work fine at home, but on the road they won’t keep your dog safe or yourself, or your passengers. And just because a crate looks tough doesn’t mean it will protect your pup in a crash. If you decide to invest, look for a model that’s Center for Pet Safety certified, that stamp of approval makes all the difference.

Harnesses & Seat Belt Attachments: A Practical, Safer Option

If a crash-tested crate feels out of reach, the next best option is a crash-tested harness that buckles into the seat belt. These are designed to spread force across the dog’s chest and shoulders instead of the neck, keeping them restrained without risking airway injury.

The Center for Pet Safety’s 2013 Harness Crashworthiness Study found that most harnesses on the market failed during crash simulations; straps tore, buckles broke, or dogs slipped out. Only a few, like the Sleepypod Clickit Utility, held up and kept the test dog safely secured (Center for Pet Safety, Wired).

CPS continued testing in 2018 with the Piper’s Walk harness initiative, evaluating "crash-tested" harnesses sold at big-box retailers to see whether they truly lived up to safety claims, which (shocking) did not hold up.  (CPS)

That said, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emphasizes that some form of restraint is always better than none. Even if a harness doesn’t provide perfect crash protection, it still reduces risks by preventing your dog from roaming the car, distracting the driver, or being thrown around during sudden stops.

Pros: affordable, portable, and easy to use. Dogs can still sit comfortably in the back seat and look out the window (which Freya would definitely approve of).
Cons: not as protective as a crash-tested crate, and proper sizing/fit is critical. 

For most dog owners, including me, this setup is one of the most practical ways to balance safety, affordability, and convenience until you’re ready to invest in a certified crash-tested crate.

Free Roam: The Riskiest Way to Travel with Your Dog

Letting your dog roam free in the car might look fun, but it’s also the most dangerous option, for both you and your pup.

In a crash, even a small dog can become a projectile. According to the American Humane Association, a 10-lb dog in a collision at just 50 mph can exert around 500 lb. of force, while an 80-lb dog can hit with over 2,000 lb. of force (American Humane). That’s enough to cause serious injury to them and to you.

Free roaming also increases distraction. A Volvo/Harris Poll study found that drivers with unrestrained dogs were far more likely to engage in unsafe behaviors, like taking their hands off the wheel, compared to when dogs were properly secured (Volvo Media).

The bottom line: letting your dog ride loose might seem harmless, but it puts everyone in the car at risk

Final Thoughts: From Safest to Riskiest

When it comes to traveling with your dog, not all methods are created equal. Here’s the order from safest to riskiest:

1. Crash-Tested Crates – The gold standard. Heavy, pricey, and bulky, but proven to protect your pup in a crash.

2. Crash-Tested Harnesses (Seat Belt Attached) – A practical middle ground. Not as protective as a crate, but much safer than nothing, especially if certified by the Center for Pet Safety.

3. Free Roam – The riskiest of all. Unrestrained dogs can distract drivers and turn into dangerous projectiles during an accident.

For me, I’m still working toward that dream crash-tested crate. Right now, a good harness is the most practical solution for Freya and me. But no matter what, some form of restraint is always better than none, for your dog’s safety and your own. Because at the end of the day, our dogs trust us to keep them safe. And making smart choices on the road is just another way we show them the love they give us every day.