By the end of the previous lesson, you’re almost ready to hit the road. How exciting! But before you head out, there are a few important things to do and keep in mind to make sure your transport goes smoothly.

• Step #1: Vehicle and Equipment Preparation
• Step #2: Route Planning, Location Sharing, and ETA
• Step #3: Pro Tips

Step 1: Vehicle and Equipment Preparation

A well-prepared vehicle is the foundation of a successful trip. Before you start your first transport:

• Provide proper vehicle upholstery protection in case of any “accidents”, spills or excessive pet hair
• Confirm the size of the pet for proper size crate preparation (since a lot of times customers do not have their crates) 
• Secure any loose cargo or parts that might injure the pets during travel (i.e. a toolbox in your trunk) 
• Employ proper vehicle, crate, and food bowl sanitation (using diluted bleach or alcohol solutions as well as any recommended parvovirus cleaner)
• Carry a cooler if your vehicle permits, to hold cold water for pets during travel (and yourself)  
• Examine your vehicle, make sure that it’s roadworthy - you don’t want a breakdown to disrupt your first trip(check your fluid levels, tires, battery, AC unit, lights, and switches, etc.)
• Stock up on supplies you will be needing on the road (i.e. cleaning wipes, litter boxes/ litter, puppy pads, sanitized towels/blankets, extra leashes, toys, any dog food if agreed upon with the customer, etc.) 
• Get additional phone chargers and consider purchasing a power bank for remote charging as well

Some more “advanced” but highly-recommended actions to take include: 

• Prepare a manifest with passengers info and photograph each one - both human and furry passengers (and leave behind a copy in case of an accident) - required by PACFA (State of Colorado) 
• Map out the location of emergency vets along the route
• Carry human and animal first aid kits
• Have an emergency/contingency plan set in place (create a worst-case scenario in your head, and try to establish a protocol on how to handle things in case it manifests) 
• Plan and check your route before departure for any road closures, weather complications, or construction, and make the necessary adjustments. Always inform the customer promptly if these changes may affect the timeline or route.
  
  

Once you have your vehicle and associated equipment all set, it’s time to plan your route.

Step 2: Route Planning, Location Sharing, and ETA

Planning your route isn’t just about picking the fastest path. It’s about being transparent and realistic with your customers. Before setting off, make sure you:

• Confirm pickup and delivery contacts.
• Map your trip carefully, checking for construction, tolls, or weather conditions that could impact timing.
• Consider overnight stops if your trip is long and book accommodations in advance when needed.

Clarification on routing:

We have previously discussed route-planning from the perspective of winning shipments: our search tool, our trip notification settings, advice on “thinking outside of the box”, etc.

Most drivers transport more than one pet at a time, which means deliveries are often part of a “stacked” route. Each additional stop adds time, so it’s critical to set expectations clearly. Customers should know if you’re transporting multiple pets, what that means for travel time, and whether their shipment is part of a shared (stacked) or VIP (single-pet) service.

When it comes to location sharing, make sure your customers understand what they’re seeing. Sharing your live location is helpful, but it’s best to do so after major stops so your ETA matches real progress instead of fluctuating with every break.

Finally, remember that your ETA is one of the most important parts of your agreement with the customer. Experienced drivers recommend calculating conservatively, factor in breaks every few hours and account for extra time with multiple pets. It’s better to slightly overestimate and arrive early than to underestimate and cause unnecessary worry.

Step 3: Pro Tips

• Calculate realistically: Instead of using max speed limits, assume about 50 mph average speed to allow for breaks, traffic, and fueling.
• Plan stops: Expect to take a break every 3 - 4 hours, and factor in an additional 15 minutes per extra pet.
• Think in days, not hours: If your calculation shows 18 hours of driving but you can only drive 12 hours per day, set an ETA of 1.5 - 2 days instead of just “18 hours.”
• Communicate early: Let customers know how many pets you’re transporting, how often you’ll update them, and what type of ETA they can expect.
• Don't forget to account for the time zones! 

The combination of transparency, good math, and consistent communication helps you stay on time, earn positive reviews, and keep your customers happy.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome below! 

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