Everything a pet parent should know before booking transport.

Every trip starts with a clear picture of your pet and your route. Before you reach out to any transporter, gather the essentials:

• Pickup and delivery addresses (or nearest metro areas)
• Your preferred travel window and any hard deadlines
• Your pet's species, breed, age, weight, and temperament
• Any medications, feeding schedules, or medical alerts
• Kennel or carrier size (drivers ask this a lot!)

Once you have this ready, use Request Pet Transport or search our availability preview. When you find qualified drivers, sign in to see full profiles and message safely.

Private rides mean your pet is the only passenger. Best for anxious pets, medical needs, or expedited timelines. Typically higher cost, fastest door-to-door.

Shared rides mean your pet travels with other pets on the same corridor. The driver keeps each pet in a separate crate or kennel bay. More affordable, great for calm and socialized pets. You'll always see how many pets are on a shared route before you book.

Before a driver's profile ever appears in our directory, we verify:

• Government-issued ID and background check
• Business insurance and commercial auto insurance
• Cargo/pet insurance (when applicable)
• USDA registration, IPATA membership, IATA/LAR certification, or pet first aid — where the driver holds them
• Overnight accommodations policy (where your pet sleeps on multi-day trips)

Every credential shows up as a badge on the transporter's profile so you can compare at a glance.

1. Commercial auto liability — covers the driver's vehicle in the event of a collision. All TPTN drivers must carry this.
2. Business/general liability — covers accidents at pickup/drop-off or during handling.
3. Cargo or pet-specific coverage — the strongest option; covers the pet directly during transport. Not every driver carries this — ask before booking if it matters to you.

On any transporter's profile you'll see which of these they've documented with TPTN.

• What's your typical driving schedule on my route?
• How do you handle overnight stops (sleeper cab, pet-friendly hotel, day trips only)?
• How often do you stop for water, walks, and stretch breaks?
• What kennel size do you have available for my pet?
• Do you carry pet-specific insurance or cargo coverage?
• How will you keep me updated during the trip?

You can ask all of this directly inside TPTN's protected messaging. Phone and email stay hidden until you're both booked.

Long-haul routes typically cover 800+ miles across two or more driving days. Here's what to expect:

• Regular stops every 3-4 hours for water and walks
• Overnight rest in the driver's disclosed accommodation type
• Real-time updates through your TPTN Trip Timeline (photos and status posts)
• Direct communication with your driver through TPTN messaging

Once your driver marks the trip delivered, you'll be able to leave a verified review inside TPTN.