Best Dog Crates For Car Travel In 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

When you’re traveling by car, you want your dog to be safe and comfortable, so you’ll need a good crate that’s sturdy and portable. There are many crates on the market, but not all of them will work well in your car.

How do you sort through the options and pick a great model?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help you shop. We tested all the top models and put together this list of this year’s 9 best dog crates for car travel.

Each model has a detailed review, comparing price, weight, type, portability, accessories, and warranty so that you can find your best option.

And if you want to know more about the features, take a look at our comprehensive buyer’s guide.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 9 Best Dog Crates for Car Travel

1. Amazon Basics 2-Door Collapsible Lightweight Soft-Sided Folding Travel Crate Dog Kennel – Best Overall

Our pick for the best overall dog crate for car travel is the Amazon Basics 2-Door Collapsible Lightweight Soft-Sided Folding Travel Crate Dog Kennel. We love that this crate comes in four sizes, with the smallest size fitting dogs up to 25 pounds and the extra-large size fitting dogs up to 90 pounds.

It only comes in one color – tan – but the polyester fabric is durable, lightweight, and easy to clean, while the PVC frame is sturdy to help prevent the crate from collapsing while in use. The crate itself can be set up and folded down within seconds, with no tools required.

It has a top door and side door, so that your dog can get in the crate from various angles, and the added benefit of the top door is that your dog can stick their head out of the top if they want.The crate also has mesh windows on all sides for ventilation.

Perhaps the best part of this crate is the price, as not only is it a quality product, but it is also very affordable for most people! As long as your dog weighs under 90 pounds, this crate should work well for you, but it won’t be suitable for dogs that are larger than that.

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2. Frisco Travel Safety Dog Carrier – Best Value

Introducing our pick for the best dog crate for car travel for the money— the Frisco Travel Safety Dog Carrier. This well-made design was explicitly created to fit onto the seat of a car. It has attachment pieces that sit around the seating to ensure a proper fit. It is a very stable carrier with mesh all the way around so that your pet can breathe and see the scenery. It is extremely well made, crafted with strong materials and efficient safety.

This particular dog carrier comes in two different sizes, medium and large. You can pick the one that suits your dog, making them comfortable on the road. This is an extra safe, secure, and durable design. It collapses easily for easy storage when it is not in use. The material also wipes down very easily in the event of any spills or accidents. Inside the carrier, you will find a completely machine-washable mat.

Ultimately, we absolutely loved the design and hope you will as much as we do! We feel it fits the needs of most travelers and your dog will appreciate it, too. However, it may not fit very large or extra-large dog breeds.

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3. Pettycare Collapsible Crate for Large Dogs – Premium Choice

Our premium choice pick is the Pettycare Collapsible Crate for Large Dogs. We picked this one as our top choice because despite the name, it actually comes in 9 sizes, to fit dogs of almost any size! The largest size is suitable for dogs up to 90 pounds, so unless you have a dog that weighs over that, this crate can work for you. It also comes in four colors, so you can choose your favorite, or choose one that matches the interior of your car.

As far as ease of use, this crate requires no tools to assemble and can be set up and folded down easily. It’s made of durable 600D Oxford cloth and is easy to clean, and it also has more than one door to allow your dog to enter easily, and the doors are made of mesh so that your dog can still see out of them.

There are also side pockets so that you can store your dog’s leash, toys, or other supplies. But because this crate comes in so many sizes, it’s important that you measure your dog and your car space to make sure you buy the appropriate size.

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4. PetSafe Happy Ride Collapsible Dog Travel Crate

If you have a puppy or smaller dog, we like the PetSafe Happy Ride Collapsible Dog Travel Crate. This cozy dog crate can make your dog comfy the entire way from point A to B because the design is made to fit securely in the backseat of your car or truck. The aluminum frame makes the crate sturdy, but it is still collapsible for easy storage when not in use.

The mesh panels on the front and sides provide ventilation and keep your pet inside while they can still see out, and you can see them easily, too. One of our favorite features is the space in the side of the crate for you to stick your hand through to pet your dog without having to open the entire crate. This particular design is recommended for dogs under 60 pounds, but it’s extremely spacious for smaller pets if you so choose to get it.

The downsides of this carrier are that it is not suitable for larger dogs, and it takes up the whole backseat. So unless you have a third row of seats in your vehicle, you won’t be able to use it if you have kids also.

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5. Petsfit Collapsible Dog Crate

The Petsfit Collapsible Dog Crate is similar to some of the other products we’ve featured, and it also comes in several sizes. However, the largest size only fits dogs up to 85 pounds, so it’s a little bit smaller than similar crates. It does come in more color options though, so you have a greater selection to choose from in that area.

The design allows your dog to sit up inside, peering out through the top portion, or lay down if they need to stretch out. You can also fully zip them inside, closing the top for restricted access, but it may not be as roomy as some of the other options.

Like the other options, this crate is easily collapsible when not in use so you can store it easily. Plus, it has handles so you can tote your pup around. However, it is also a little more basic and doesn’t come with a lot of extra features, such as storage pockets. But it is a good price for a quality product.

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6. Petnation Port-A-Crate Dog Crate

The Petnation 614 Port-A-Crate is reasonably priced and portable with a fun design but has many less durable plastic components and not very sturdy mesh.

This 10.9-pound crate is surprisingly easy to transport, as it easily folds and buckles together. The fun bone-shaped windows are made of tightly-woven, honeycomb-patterned mesh, and there’s a solid steel frame. The crate can fit dogs up to 70 pounds, and it has front and top doors and rounded corners.

This crate doesn’t include a pad and can’t be attached to your car seats. The plastic pieces that hold up the frame break easily and the mesh isn’t very durable. Petnation doesn’t offer a warranty.

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7. 2PET Foldable Travel Dog Crates

The 2PET Foldable Dog Crate is a lightweight and reasonably-priced soft crate with less durable mesh and plastic zippers.

This 6.8-pound crate, which is sold in a range of sizes and colors, has a steel tube frame and a water-resistant 600D fabric cover that’s removable and machine-washable. It has a top handle that doubles as a seat belt attachment, and there are built-in water bottle and food container holders. The package includes a waterproof mat and a reversible, washable fleece pad.

We found that the mesh on this crate ripped easily, and the zippers broke quickly. This model feels less durable and somewhat cheaper overall. 2PET offers a 1-year warranty.

• Related Read: Collapsible Dog Bowls for Travel 

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8. Noz2Noz Indoor & Outdoor Dog Crates

Another option is the Noz2Noz 667 Soft Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate, which is heavy and somewhat harder to set up, with less durable zippers.

This 12.4-pound light green crate, sold in a choice of five sizes, has a steel frame and a removable, machine-washable canvas cover. The frame locking mechanism, which has push-button tabs and couplers, may take you some extra time to master. The crate also has rounded corners and tight-weave mesh windows.

When we tested this crate, we found no chemical odor, but the plastic zippers felt somewhat cheaper and less durable. The mesh isn’t strong enough to withstand paws, and Noz2Noz doesn’t offer a warranty.

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9. EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate

EliteField’s 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is very heavy and fairly pricey, with many included accessories and a good warranty.

At 17.6 pounds, this crate is very heavy. It comes in multiple sizes and quite a few colors and is designed to be wider and taller, giving your dog more space. With a steel tube frame, 600D cover, and hex mesh windows, it folds easily. There are three doors, on the top, front, and side, for easier access, and two accessory pockets. The package includes a padded shoulder strap, a removable fleece pad, and a carrying bag. There’s also a frame locking mechanism and convenient reinforced corners.

We found this crate to be not very well sewn, with seams that tear easily. The zippers and mesh aren’t durable enough to stand up to dogs. EliteField offers a good 2-year warranty.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Crate for Car Travel

Now that you’ve taken a look at our list of the nine best car crates, it’s time to choose. But which will work best for you and your dog? Keep reading for our quick guide to your options.

Hard or Soft?

The first big decision is whether to buy a hard crate or a fabric crate. Fabric crates, which typically have hard steel or plastic frames with fabric covers, are more portable, fold for simpler carrying, and often weighing less overall. These crates work best with well-trained dogs that don’t chew or scratch.

If you have a puppy or a high-energy dog, you may prefer a hard crate. These crates generally have hard plastic sides and steel wire doors and are often more durable, better withstanding your dog’s scratching and chewing. In exchange for that durability, these bulkier crates may be harder to carry.

Car Attachments

If you’re taking your dog crate in the car, you may want to be able to attach it to the seat, as you would a child car seat. Secure attachments will keep your crate from moving when you brake or accelerate, keeping your dog steady. You may want to look for seat belt and headrest attachments, like sturdy handles and loops.

Size

Before you purchase a dog crate, you’ll want to consider the size of your dog. You may want to measure your dog and compare the numbers to each model’s dimensions. Keep in mind that your dog will be more comfortable with extra space to move around.

Accessories

Are you interested in a range of included accessories, or do you just want the crate? Dog crates may come with washable fleece pads, waterproof liners, padded shoulder straps, or food and water bowls.

• Other useful tools: Car Clean Up Made Easy with the Best Car Vacuums

Warranty

Would you like your investment protected by a good warranty? Many of the models we reviewed come with warranties, ranging from 30 days to multiple years. You may also want to pay attention to the details of your model’s warranty, as it may cover only some components.

Conclusion

We can’t recommend the Amazon Basics 2-Door Collapsible Lightweight Soft-Sided Folding Travel Crate Dog Kennel enough if you really want the best overall dog crate for car travel. It is a wonderful design that can fit dogs up to 90 pounds. We think it’s a pretty good price for the quality too.

If you have a dog under 50 pounds and want to save as much money as possible, but still want a quality product, we highly recommend the Frisco Travel Safety Dog Carrier.

Don’t forget our premium choice, the Pettycare Collapsible Crate for Large Dogs. This carrier is suited for dogs of almost any size and comes highly well-made with multiple entry points.

Keep in mind, there are weight requirements on pet crates and carriers, so make sure that your dog falls within these parameters. Hopefully, our reviews helped you find the carrier that best suits your travel needs.

See also:

• How To Travel With Your Dog
• Best Small Dog Crates
• Best Dog Car Seat Covers
• Best Dog Crates with Dividers

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Featured Image Credit: Colin Seddon, Shutterstock