Is it too hot to walk my dog?
Estimated asphalt temperature for your ZIP code, hour by hour for the next day, and the best times to walk.
How pavement temperature is estimated
Dark asphalt in full sun runs about 50°F hotter than the air: measured at 125°F on a 77°F day and 135°F at 86°F. We take the National Weather Service hourly forecast for your ZIP code and work out, hour by hour, how high the sun is and how much of it the forecast cloud cover lets through. Wind cools the surface a little, and pavement stays hot for an hour or two after the sun drops.
- Under 100°F: comfortable for most dogs.
- 100–124°F: uncomfortable; keep walks short and stick to grass and shade.
- 125°F and up: can burn paw pads in about a minute.
These are estimates for dark asphalt in the sun. Concrete, shaded sidewalks and grass are cooler; artificial turf and black rubber surfaces can be hotter.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is too hot to walk a dog?
Pavement at 125°F can burn paw pads in about a minute, and asphalt in full sun reaches that when the air is only in the upper 70s. Below about 100°F, pavement is comfortable for most dogs.
What is the 7-second rule?
Press the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't hold it there for 7 seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
Is concrete cooler than asphalt?
Yes. It is lighter in color, so it stays noticeably cooler than asphalt in the same sun, though it can still be too hot on a summer afternoon. Grass and shade are cooler still; the estimates here are for dark asphalt in the sun.