Pets Are Calling the Shots on Holiday Travel, and Cross Creek Subaru Gets It

If your dog has a say in where you spend the holidays, you’re in good company. A new survey from Subaru finds that pets are playing a bigger role than ever in how Americans plan their holiday travel, and for many, that means hitting the road instead of the airport.

The Big Numbers

Subaru commissioned Talker Research to survey 2,000 U.S. drivers who own cats and/or dogs. Here’s what they found:

• 73% are more likely to take a road trip than fly, specifically so they can bring their pet along
• 68% say their pet will affect their travel plans this holiday season
• 45% have turned down travel opportunities that couldn’t accommodate their pet
• 51% say they prefer traveling with a pet to traveling with a human

How Pets Are Changing Holiday Plans

More than one in four pet owners may change their plans because of their pet. That includes:

• Hosting instead of traveling (10%)
• Shortening or simplifying a trip to care for their pet (10%)
• Skipping gatherings where their pet can’t come along (8%)

Planning ahead is common, too. Nearly half (45%) start planning a pet-friendly long weekend at least three weeks out, and 24% start more than a month ahead.

What Pet Owners Want in a Vehicle

When pets come along, comfort and practicality take priority. The top features pet owners say matter most:

• Room to roam between pets, passengers, and luggage (32%)
• Good visibility so they can keep an eye on their pet (29%)
• Easy-to-clean seats and cargo areas (27%)
• Cargo space for crates, carriers, beds, and gear (26%, rising to 35% among hybrid and EV drivers)

Trevor Maki, National Product Training Manager at Subaru of America, recommends making sure you have the right accessories for your vehicle and your pet so everyone stays safe and comfortable on the road.

The Next Generation of Pet Travelers

Younger drivers are leading the way:

• 75% of Gen Z and 70% of millennials have taken a pet on a road trip in the past five years, compared with 58% of Gen X and 40% of baby boomers
• 42% of Gen Z and millennials plan travel around their pet, compared with 27% of Gen X and boomers
• Among those who haven’t yet road-tripped with a pet, 74% of Gen Z and millennials would consider it, compared with 54% of Gen X and boomers
• Gen Z and millennials are also more likely to have brought their pet home for the holidays than Gen X and boomers (35% vs. 22%)

Subaru Loves Pets

October is Subaru Loves Pets month, and National Make A Dog’s Day is October 22. The Subaru community is championing pets across the country, with a special focus on helping shelter animals and underdogs find loving homes. Learn more at subaru.com/pets and follow #SubaruLovesPets and #MakeADogsDay.

Get Road-Trip Ready at Cross Creek Subaru

Whether you’re planning a holiday drive to visit family or just a pet-friendly long weekend, the right vehicle and the right accessories make all the difference. Contact Cross Creek Subaru today to ask about pet-friendly accessories and find a Subaru that has room for everyone in the family, four-legged members included.

Survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Subaru among 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18+ who drive and own cats and/or dogs, July 13 to 17, 2026.