5 Best Dog Crates for Car Travel: Safer, Calmer Road Trips

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A loose dog in the car is a distraction for the driver and can be thrown around in a sudden stop. A crate that is the right size and properly secured keeps your dog in one place, and many dogs feel calmer in a familiar den on the road. The best crate for your car depends on your dog’s size, your vehicle, and whether your dog is already comfortable in a crate. Below are the best dog crates for car travel and how to use them safely.

We compared hard plastic kennels, soft crates and small-dog carriers on sturdiness, ventilation, ease of securing, size range and how practical they are to load into a car.

Car Travel Crates Compared

Crate	Type	Best for	Weight
Petmate Sky Kennel	Hard plastic	Medium and large dogs, air and road	Heavier
Petmate Two Door Top Load	Hard plastic	Small dogs and cats	Light
EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate	Soft sided	Calm, crate-trained dogs	Very light
Pet Gear No-Zip View 360	Soft sided	Quick setup, small to medium dogs	Very light
K&H Travel Safety Carrier	Soft carrier	Small dogs on the seat	Very light

1. Petmate Sky Kennel — Best Overall

A heavy-duty plastic kennel with a steel door, secure wing nuts and ventilation on all four sides. It is built with airline travel in mind, which also makes it one of the sturdiest choices for car trips with medium and large dogs.

• Strong shell and metal hardware
• Ventilation on all sides
• Available in large sizes

Worth knowing: Large sizes are bulky. Measure your cargo area before ordering.

2. Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel — Best for Small Dogs

A compact plastic kennel with a front door and a top door. The top opening makes it much easier to lift a small dog in and out without a struggle, and it fits easily on a back seat or in a footwell.

• Top and front doors
• Light and compact
• Easy to clean

Worth knowing: Only suitable for small dogs and cats. Check the weight and size limits.

3. EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate — Best Soft Crate

A light, folding soft crate with three doors and mesh windows. It is quick to set up in a hotel room or SUV and very easy to carry.

• Three doors for easy access
• Folds flat for storage
• Good airflow through mesh panels

Worth knowing: Soft crates are only for calm, crate-trained dogs. A determined chewer or escape artist can get through fabric and mesh.

4. Pet Gear No-Zip View 360 — Easiest Setup

A pop-up style soft crate with a push-button, no-zip door and mesh on all sides, so your dog can see out. It opens in seconds, which is handy on road trips.

• No-zip push-button door
• Sets up and folds quickly
• 360-degree mesh visibility

Worth knowing: Like all soft crates, it is not for chewers.

5. K&H Travel Safety Carrier — Best Seat Carrier

A soft carrier designed to be strapped in with the car’s seat belt, for small dogs who ride on the back seat.

• Seat belt attachment design
• Mesh top and sides
• Light and portable

Worth knowing: Check the size and weight limits for your dog.

How We Chose the Best Dog Crates for Car Travel

• Sturdiness: hard shells and metal doors for dogs who need extra security.
• Ventilation: airflow on several sides, because cars heat up quickly.
• Securing: shapes and straps that make it practical to tie down or buckle in.
• Practicality: weight, door placement and how easily it folds or stores.
• Size range: options for small dogs through large breeds.

How to Secure a Dog Crate in the Car

1. Choose the right spot. The cargo area of an SUV or the back seat is best. Never place a crate in the front seat.
2. Position it snugly. In a cargo area, place the crate against the back of the rear seats, ideally sideways, so it cannot slide far.
3. Strap it down. Use ratchet straps or cargo straps attached to the car’s tie-down points. A seat belt can hold small carriers designed for it.
4. Test it. Push the crate firmly. It should not slide or tip.
5. Keep the area clear. Loose luggage can shift onto the crate in a sudden stop.

Sizing a Travel Crate

Your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, but a travel crate should not be much bigger than that, as extra space means more movement in a sudden stop. Measure your dog from nose to base of tail and from the floor to the top of the head, and add 2 to 4 inches. Then measure your car’s cargo area or seat before you buy. See our dog crate size chart for typical sizes by breed.

Road Trip Tips

• Practice short drives before a long trip so the crate becomes familiar in the car.
• Never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes. Cars heat up fast.
• Stop every 2 to 3 hours for water, a potty break and a stretch.
• Keep a familiar blanket or bed inside the crate.
• If your dog gets car sick, ask your vet for advice before a long journey.

Our Verdict

For most medium and large dogs, the Petmate Sky Kennel is the sturdiest choice for car and air travel. For small dogs, the Petmate Two Door Top Load is easy to load and fits almost any car. If your dog is calm and crate-trained, a soft crate like the EliteField 3-Door is much lighter to take on trips.

Related Guides

• Best Crash-Tested Dog Car Harnesses in 2026: 3 Safer Ways to Travel
• 5 Best Dog Car Seat Covers and Hammocks in 2026 (Waterproof, Scratch-Resistant)
• Petmate Sky Kennel vs Vari Kennel: Which Plastic Crate Do You Need?
• Wire vs Plastic Dog Crate: Which Is Better for Your Dog?
• 4 Best Soft-Sided Dog Crates for Calm Dogs, Home and Travel
• How to Get a Dog Used to the Car: Calm Car Rides Step by Step

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safer for a dog to travel in a crate?

A properly sized and secured crate keeps a dog contained and reduces driver distraction. An unsecured crate can still move in a sudden stop, so always strap it down.

Where should a dog crate go in the car?

In the cargo area of an SUV or on the back seat, secured with straps. Never in the front seat.

Are soft crates safe for car travel?

They are convenient for calm, crate-trained dogs, but they offer less structure and are easy to chew through. Hard crates are sturdier.

What size crate does my dog need for the car?

Big enough to stand, turn and lie down, but not much bigger. Extra space lets your dog slide around.

Can I use my home crate in the car?

Yes, if it fits and can be secured. Wire crates can rattle and are heavy, so many owners prefer a plastic kennel for travel.