Cats are territorial animals with a strong preference for predictable, familiar environments, which makes car travel inherently more stressful for them than it typically is for dogs. That doesn't mean it can't be done reasonably well — it means the preparation matters more.
Carrier training before the trip, not during
A cat's first experience with their carrier shouldn't be the day of travel. Leave the carrier out at home for weeks beforehand with soft bedding inside, treats placed in it periodically, and the door left open, so the cat associates it with a safe, normal object rather than something that only appears right before something stressful happens.
Secure the carrier, don't let the cat loose in the car
A loose cat in a moving vehicle is a genuine safety hazard — for the cat, who can end up under pedals or hiding in ways that cause an accident, and for everyone in the car during any sudden stop. Secure the carrier with a seatbelt or in the footwell, not on an unsecured seat where it can slide or tip.
Withhold food, not water, before departure
A light or absent meal a few hours before travel reduces the chance of car-sickness-related vomiting; water should still be available up until departure and offered during any stops. For trips longer than a few hours, a spill-proof water option inside the carrier is worth having.
Pheromone spray and familiar scent
A synthetic feline facial pheromone spray (available over the counter) applied to carrier bedding roughly 15 minutes before use can meaningfully reduce stress signaling for some cats. Bringing a blanket or bedding with the cat's own scent, and ideally the owner's scent too, gives a consistent, familiar element in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.
Anti-anxiety medication for genuinely fearful travelers
For cats who show significant, consistent distress with travel — heavy panting, prolonged yowling, drooling — talk to your vet about pre-travel anti-anxiety medication (gabapentin is commonly used and generally well tolerated) rather than assuming the cat will simply adjust. Trial the medication on a low-stakes day before the actual travel day, since response varies between individual cats.
Stops and temperature
Never leave a cat unattended in a parked car, even briefly and even with windows cracked — vehicle interior temperature rises dangerously fast in warm weather and drops dangerously fast in cold weather. If you need to stop, take the carrier (with the cat still secured inside) with you, or have someone stay with the car and the air conditioning or heat running.
Litter box logistics for longer trips
For trips over a few hours, plan for a litter box stop — a small disposable litter tray in the car (used during a stationary break, not while driving) or a rest stop with the carrier taken to a quiet, enclosed space works better than expecting a cat to hold it for a full day's drive.