The top 10 best dog friendly road trips in the UK, revealed

More people than ever are planning to travel with their dog this summer and searches for 'driving with dogs' have soared 200% in the last 12 months. 

With this in mind, the experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have unveiled the top 10 most dog friendly road trips in the UK, so both owner and furry friend can enjoy the experience safely. 

Based on multiple criteria such as dog friendly pubs, dog friendly Airbnb's and vets on route, the road trips span dramatic coastlines and gorgeous scenery, to lakes and forests. 

Borders Historic Route is officially the most dog friendly road trip in the UK

1. Borders Historic Route - Scotland

The number one spot is the Borders Historic Route in Scotland, with an index score of 70.8. This road trip boasts 830 dog-friendly Airbnbs on the route, 72 vets and 162 dog-friendly pubs. This road trip is just over two hours, perfect for dogs and dog owners alike, even if you'd rather not stop at any locations on the way. 

2. The Atlantic Highway - England

The Atlantic Highway from Newquay to Barnstaple is second, boasting 1,409 dog-friendly Airbnbs, 27 vets, and 42 dog-friendly pubs at stops on the route, giving the road trip an index score of 46.9. 

3. Moray Firth Route - Scotland

The Moray Firth Route from Inverness to Loch Fleet ranks in third place with a score of 46.2. This scenic route is beautiful and peaceful, which makes it a brilliant route for our four-legged friends. Being one of the shortest routes, this road trip allows for many stops and has 86 vets available in case of an emergency.

Driving far? Keep your dog safe in the car with these tips 

Keith Hawes at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts says, ''Exploring new places with your dogs is a great experience for both you and your pet, but when driving with animals in the car make sure you follow these rules to keep your animals safe."

1. Don't leave your dog alone in the car

Keeping dogs in cars is a viral topic every summer and one that pet owners MUST obey. It is illegal to leave a dog alone in a hot car in a way that could cause unnecessary suffering. This could result in a £20,000 fine and a potential ban from owning animals in the future.

2. Use the appropriate restraints 

Letting a pet roam freely in your car when you are travelling on the road is dangerous and against the law, to keep your pet safe make sure you use the correct restraints, you could use a dog friendly seatbelt to keep them secure or use a safety cage in the boot to make sure they are secure. 

3. No heads out the window

If you are caught with your pet's head hanging out the window, you can get fined up to £5000 for putting your pet at risk of danger, things can happen within a second on the road so it's crucial to keep your pet as safe as possible when travelling. 

4. Take regular breaks 

If you are travelling far, make sure you take regular breaks with your pet to keep them safe. Especially if you are travelling in the summer, it can take just 15 minutes before your dog can become seriously unwell. 

5. Don't feed your dog too much before travelling

Many dogs suffer from motion sickness, and eating just before travelling can cause an upset tummy, so be sure to feed well before setting off in the car.