How to Ship Your Pet to Another State: Complete 2026 Guide

An astounding 78% of pet owners travel with their pets each year, according to Global Vet Link. And you’re not alone, in a survey by Global Vet Link, they found that 78% of animal owners travel with their pets each year. There’s nothing quite like exploring the great outdoors with a furry companion by your side. Unfortunately, most of the time when we’re traveling, we don’t have the time to enjoy this experience. Because what’s most important to us is being able to ship animals to another state safely, we try to make the trip as quick and efficient as possible. It may cost you more money, but there are plenty of options for safely transporting pets from state to state.

To ship a pet to another state, you need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), proof of vaccinations, and a USDA-approved carrier. Ground transport through CitizenShipper costs $200-500 and takes 1-5 days, while airline cargo costs $300-1,000 for same-day delivery. Most pet owners choose ground transport for safety and cost savings. But, this article breaks down every step of the process, including health certificates, carrier requirements, and transport options. Read on if you need to transport a pet and don’t have the time or resources to undertake the trip yourself.

Health Certificate Requirements for Interstate Pet Transport

Before your pet crosses any state lines, you’ll need to secure a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Your local veterinarian should be licensed to issue one, and the cost can very by location.

• For an animal to be issued a CVI, it must be vaccinated and in good physical condition.
• Some states waive this requirement for cats and dogs under certain conditions.
• Regardless of the origin and destination, you at least need proof that your pet is fully vaccinated. When you visit the vet, explain your travel plans and ask them about techniques to ease your pet’s stress during the journey.
• Anti-anxiety medication isn’t advised for air transport because it can have serious side effects for the animal. In fact, many airlines will turn you away if they suspect you’ve given your pet sedatives.

USDA-Approved Pet Carriers for Air and Ground Transport

Whether you’re shipping your pet by plane or by car, you need use the right pet carrier. Airlines have very strict rules about the kind of carrier they’ll allow in the cargo area or cabin. If you’re transporting the animal on the road, the crate needs to be comfortably-sized.

• As a general rule, the crate must be large enough for the animal to stand and safely turn around. (But don’t go overboard – it shouldn’t be so roomy that they bounce around!)
• The carrier should be leakproof and padded.
• We recommend using a carrier with a solid frame; in fact, a solid-frame carrier is required for air travel.
• Choose a crate that’s made of rigid material like wood, plastic or metal.
• It’s even more important to make sure the carrier has ventilation openings on at least three sides of the container.
• Your container should have a handle, so it can be carried without contact with the animal.
• Look for a carrier that doesn’t have wheels, but if it does, they should be removeable. Carriers on wheels may be more likely to shift in the car or airplane, which could cause the animal to panic.
• Make sure you label your carrier with “THIS SIDE UP” and “LIVE ANIMAL” stickers as well as your contact information and your pet’s name.
• If you book a driver personally, they might offer USDA-approved carriers or crates of their own. This is a major advantage of using ground transportation to ship your pet to another state.

Microchip ID

While this is not a requirement, chipping your pet before a long-distance trip is highly recommended. Accidents do happen and pets that end up lost are much more easily retrieved if they have microchips implanted.

• A Microchip ID gives your pet a long term identification number, which can’t be removed and stays readable for your pet’s life.
• It will include your contact information which will help authorities reunite you with your pet in the unlikely occurrence it’s lost.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Pet to Another State?

Shipping a pet to another state typically costs $300 to $1,500, depending on distance, transport method, and your pet’s size. Ground transport usually runs $0.50–$1.60 per mile, while air cargo can cost $500–$2,000+, especially for large pets or international routes.

Cost factors include:

• Distance and route popularity
• Pet size and crate requirements
• Solo/private transport vs. shared ride
• Health certificates and vet visits ($50–$150)
• Expedited or last-minute bookings

Ground transportation is often more affordable and less stressful than flying, especially for large dogs, senior pets, or brachycephalic breeds.

Can You Ship a Dog to Another State Without Flying?

Yes — you can absolutely ship a dog to another state without flying. Ground pet transport has become a popular alternative to air travel because it avoids cargo holds, airport restrictions, and airline breed limitations.

Many pet owners prefer ground transport because:

• Dogs travel in climate-controlled vehicles
• There are no airline breed restrictions
• Pets receive rest breaks and direct supervision
• Door-to-door delivery is available

State-by-State Pet Transport Requirements

Pet transport requirements vary slightly by state, but most states require proof of rabies vaccination and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 10–30 days before travel.

Common requirements include:

• Valid rabies vaccination certificate
• USDA-accredited veterinarian-issued health certificate
• Microchip identification (required in some states)
• Import permits (for certain states like Hawaii)
• Breed-specific restrictions in rare cases

For example, Hawaii has strict quarantine and vaccination requirements due to its rabies-free status. Always check with the destination state’s Department of Agriculture before travel.

How Long Does Pet Transport Take?

Transport time depends on distance, route, and whether the trip is direct or shared with other pets. Most interstate ground transport deliveries take 1 to 7 days.

Typical timelines:

• 300–600 miles: 1–2 days
• 600–1,200 miles: 2–4 days
• Cross-country (2,000+ miles): 4–7 days

Air travel is faster (same-day or next-day), but scheduling and paperwork can extend the total timeline. Ground transport often offers more flexible scheduling and consistent updates throughout the journey.

Pet Shipping Methods: Airlines vs Ground Transport

As to the specifics of the move itself, air travel is the most common choice for long-distance travel. Traditionally, airlines ship a live animal in one of two ways.

• One option is to have the pet loaded into the cargo hold inside its crate.
• Two, you can have a passenger bring the pet into a cabin as carry-on luggage. However, your animal will have to be small enough to fit under your seat for the entire flight.
• Neither option is cheap or risk free.
• Brachycephalic dogs are specifically banned from flying with most airlines.
• Because of staffing and logistical issues, most airlines are unwilling to transport pets at all.

So how do you transport a pet across the country, then? You can’t just put them in a car and drive them to the destination yourself, can you?

Find a Reliable Driver at an Online Marketplace

Well, maybe you can’t. Driving your pet across country expensive, it takes a lot of time and the logistics can be a nightmare. But there are shipping services with professional drivers willing and able to do just that, for a fraction of the cost. Using an online pet transportation marketplace like CitizenShipper, you can get in touch with these independent contractors and arrange the pet travel. Why use CitizenShipper?

• It’s much cheaper than air shipping, and more importantly, it’s fully customizable.
• There are professional drivers with years of experience shipping pets.
• These transporters are skilled in keeping your pet happy and healthy as well as reacting to your pets’ individual needs.
• With the marketplace structure and reverse bidding system you’re able to negotiate the best possible price for your transport.
• Nearly 80,000 pets have been safely transported using CitizenShipper.
• CitizenShipper is the first in the industry to offer a Pet Protection Plan on every shipment.

Using CitizenShipper is easy and it’s free to review quotes. First, post your shipment with all of the information about your pets, any special needs and the distance you want them to travel. Then, you wait for a driver to contact you with a quote — most shipments receive quotes within minutes. Then, you can use our internal messaging system to negotiate details of the shipment before accepting a bid. Between reviews from previous customers, a robust About section and the messaging system, you’ll be able to get comfortable with their experience. 

So that’s the simplest answer to our initial question. How to ship animals to another state? You just find a reliable pet mover and get them to do it for you!

Pet Shipping and Essential Self-Care

Finally, let’s spare a few words for a worried pet owner’s frazzled nerves. We know how tough it can be to leave your little buddy in a stranger’s care. A million worried thoughts may run through your head. Maybe you’re having trouble falling asleep or you lost your appetite. Separation anxiety works both ways. When your pet is on a long-distance trip, time seems to stand still!

Luckily, technology now lets us transcend distance! Before booking a driver, make sure to talk with him about updates from the road. They can send you images or videos at regular intervals — for example, when they’re about to cross state lines. That way, you’ll be able to see how well your pet is doing or how the trip has been going.

If you’ve been asking yourself “How do I transport my pet long-distance”, hopefully, you’ve found an answer here. When you need to transport your pet out of state and don’t have time for the DIY approach, post a shipment on CitizenShipper and receive quotes from experienced pet transporters within minutes!

We wish you a safe travel for you and your pet friend!

Frequently Asked Questions