Travel Restrictions During COVID-19: 50-State Legal Resources
To stem the spread of the coronavirus, certain states enacted restrictions on interstate and sometimes international travel. These often took the form of a quarantine for 10 or 14 days, which could be either mandatory or advised. A traveler often could avoid or lessen a quarantine requirement by getting tested for COVID-19 shortly before their trip or after their arrival. During the spring and summer of 2021, most travel restrictions were lifted or largely lifted, but a few restrictions and some advisories remain near the end of 2021.
Specific federal rules apply to international travel. US citizens, lawful permanent residents, and people immigrating to the US must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 viral test taken no more than one day before traveling by air into the US, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days. (Children under two are exempt.) Other travelers must provide proof of vaccination in addition to the negative test result, unless they are under 18 or fall within certain other exceptions.
The list below focuses on restrictions at the state level. Some county and city governments have adopted their own restrictions, which are generally not covered here. You may want to check the website of your local governing authority to find out about the most recent travel rules that may affect you.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Alabama
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Alaska
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although unvaccinated travelers should get tested when arriving in Alaska, and vaccinated travelers may choose to get tested. People with a current positive test cannot travel to Alaska until they are released from isolation by a medical provider or public health agency. Critical infrastructure workers should follow the work plan filed by their employer with the state.
Arizona
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Arkansas
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
California
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a reminder to follow CDC travel guidelines. These include getting tested 3-5 days after entering the state and delaying travel until fully vaccinated. (Unvaccinated people who choose to travel are advised to get tested before and afterward.)
Colorado
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, but non-essential travel is not recommended for people who have not been fully vaccinated. People who have been fully vaccinated do not need to get tested before or after domestic travel and do not need to self-quarantine. International travelers should get tested 3-5 days after their trip. People who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, or traveling with higher-risk people, should consider limiting their travel. People should not travel if they are sick or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, if they are with someone who is sick, or if they have been around someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Connecticut
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although people entering Connecticut should follow travel-related guidance from the CDC and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Delaware
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a general advisory to stay home if you are sick.
District of Columbia
Fully vaccinated travelers (or travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days) may enter the District of Columbia from domestic locations without a quarantine unless they have COVID-19 symptoms. International travelers must provide a negative test before boarding a flight to the US and get tested 3-5 days after travel. Unvaccinated travelers must get a COVID-19 test 1-3 days before visiting the District. A traveler who tests positive in the District must complete their isolation before traveling home, and susceptible close contacts must complete a 10-day quarantine. Essential travelers who are unvaccinated must take a COVID-19 test if they have more than one week of notice and must limit their activities in the District. Unvaccinated travelers coming from Maryland or Virginia, or staying in the District for less than 24 hours, are exempt from testing requirements.
Florida
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although there is a general warning not to travel if you are sick or with someone who is sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Georgia
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a general warning not to travel if you are sick and a recommendation to practice precautions during travel. The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a set of issues to consider and precautions to take when traveling during the pandemic. People should reconsider international travel, following a US State Department recommendation.
Hawaii
Domestic travelers entering Hawaii must use the Safe Travels Hawaii program, which involves creating a digital account, providing details about the trip, and completing a health form. Travelers must undergo a 10-day quarantine unless they upload a vaccination document or a negative result from an NAAT test taken by a Trusted Travel Partner within 72 hours before departing for Hawaii. International travelers entering Hawaii (who are two or older) must show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than one day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days, before boarding the flight.
Idaho
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than an advisory to follow CDC guidelines and any applicable ordinances and resolutions.
Illinois
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021. The Illinois Department of Public Health has adopted CDC recommendations and guidance.
Indiana
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Iowa
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a recommendation to follow CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines.
Kansas
A home quarantine is mandated for anyone who has attended a mass gathering involving 500 or more people where they did not socially distance and wear a mask. A quarantine mandate also applies to people who have traveled to certain countries or islands between dates identified in a Kansas Department of Health and Environment policy (linked below), and to people who have traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020. The length of the quarantine can be 7, 10, or 14 days after last exposure, depending on whether the traveler has been tested and the preference of the local health officer. People who have been fully vaccinated or have had COVID-19 within the last six months are exempt from quarantine requirements.
Kentucky
Non-essential travel is discouraged for people who are not fully vaccinated. International travelers (who are two or older) must show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test performed within one day of their departure. They should get tested 3-5 days after arrival. Unvaccinated international travelers should quarantine for seven days after their arrival. People who are fully vaccinated may travel without testing or quarantine requirements.
Louisiana
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a recommendation to follow the latest guidance from the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health.
Maine
No statewide restrictions on domestic travel as of December 21, 2021. International travelers should follow applicable CDC guidelines. Fully vaccinated international travelers do not need to quarantine unless they have symptoms, but testing is recommended 3-5 days after arrival. Unvaccinated international travelers must quarantine for seven days after their arrival and get a COVID-19 molecular or antigen test 3-5 days after their arrival. Even if they test negative, they should complete the quarantine. If they do not get tested, they should quarantine for 10 days. They should avoid being around people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 for 14 days after their arrival. Any international travelers should isolate if they test positive.
Maryland
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021. The Maryland Department of Health echoes CDC warnings against travel on cruise ships for everyone and against non-essential air travel for people at increased risk for serious illness.
Massachusetts
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021. Travelers seeking recommendations can consult CDC guidance.
Michigan
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a warning not to travel if you are sick, were exposed to COVID-19, or tested positive for COVID-19. People are advised to delay travel until they are fully vaccinated.
Minnesota
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Mississippi
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Missouri
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a general recommendation to check CDC resources and local public health agency orders.
Montana
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a recommendation to review any local public health guidelines and stay home if you are sick.
Nebraska
No statewide restrictions on domestic travel as of December 21, 2021. International travelers must get tested within 3 days before returning to the US via airline, or provide documentation of recovery from COVID-19. International travelers are also urged to get tested 3-5 days after returning to the US and quarantine for 7 days after travel, or quarantine for 10 days if they do not get tested.
Nevada
People should not travel if they have been presumptively diagnosed with COVID-19, are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive and have not yet recovered, or have been potentially exposed to someone who is positive.
New Hampshire
No statewide restrictions on domestic travel as of December 21, 2021, other than a general recommendation to follow CDC travel guidance. People entering New Hampshire following international travel (except essential travel to or from Canada) or travel on a cruise ship should self-quarantine for 10 days after the last date of international or cruise ship travel. The quarantine may be shortened to 7 days if a traveler is asymptomatic and receives a negative result from a COVID-19 molecular test taken on day 6 or 7 of quarantine. Fully vaccinated people and people within 90 days of a prior testing-diagnosed COVID-19 infection are exempt from quarantine after international travel or travel on a cruise ship. However, people not subject to quarantine requirements still should monitor for symptoms and practice social distancing and other public health precautions.
New Jersey
No statewide travel advisory in effect as of December 21, 2021, but travelers should follow CDC recommendations and federal requirements for international travel.
New Mexico
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
New York
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a reminder to follow CDC travel requirements.
North Carolina
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021. Travelers are urged to follow CDC guidance and US State Department recommendations.
North Dakota
Unvaccinated people entering North Dakota are advised to get a viral COVID-19 test 3-5 days after travel and quarantine for 7 days after travel, even if they test negative. They should quarantine for 10 days after travel if they do not get tested. Travelers who test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and follow North Dakota Department of Health recommendations. Unvaccinated travelers should avoid being around people who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 for 14 days, even if they get tested. People should not travel if they are sick or have been around someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Fully vaccinated individuals should follow CDC guidance.
Ohio
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although Ohio residents are encouraged to carefully review CDC guidance when considering travel.
Oklahoma
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although people are advised to delay travel until they are fully vaccinated. Travelers should follow CDC recommendations.
Oregon
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Pennsylvania
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although travelers should take appropriate public health measures.
Rhode Island
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, regardless of whether travelers are vaccinated. However, the Rhode Island Department of Health recommends following CDC quarantine and testing guidance. International travelers must follow CDC rules.
South Carolina
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a recommendation to follow CDC guidelines. Travelers should consider getting tested and avoid being around people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
South Dakota
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although there may be checkpoints on highways or tribal lands.
Tennessee
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, although everyone is encouraged to follow health and safety practices.
Texas
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than a general recommendation to follow CDC advice and the travel advisories, notices, and recommendations issued by the US State Department.
Utah
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than recommendations to follow CDC guidance and consider purchasing travel insurance.
Vermont
No statewide restrictions on domestic travel as of December 21, 2021. The Vermont Department of Health notes that the CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. People should consider getting tested and taking other precautions if they travel to a location with a high COVID-19 rate. International travelers should check US State Department travel advisories and follow CDC guidance.
Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health recommends that people delay travel until they are fully vaccinated, especially if they are at higher risk of serious COVID-19 or visiting someone at higher risk of serious COVID-19. Unvaccinated travelers should quarantine after domestic or international travel. People who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last three months do not need to get tested or quarantine unless they have symptoms.
Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine, and fully vaccinated domestic travelers do not need to get tested either. Fully vaccinated international travelers should get tested 3-5 days after travel. Unvaccinated travelers should get tested 1-3 days before travel and should not travel if they are sick, if they test positive, if they are waiting for their test result, or if they have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Unvaccinated travelers should get tested 3-5 days after travel and quarantine for 7 days, even if they test negative. They should quarantine for 10 days if they do not get tested. Also, they should monitor for symptoms and avoid being around people at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19 for 14 days.
Washington
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021, other than an advisory to comply with CDC travel requirements and recommendations.
West Virginia
No statewide travel restrictions as of December 21, 2021.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents are advised to postpone all travel until they are fully vaccinated. People should not travel if they are sick or with someone who is sick, or if they have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days or think that they may have been exposed. Unvaccinated people should avoid travel between multiple private homes within Wisconsin and should avoid going out into the community as much as possible if they travel to an area with few doctors or hospitals.
Wyoming
No statewide travel restrictions for US travelers as of December 21, 2021, although both vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers should follow CDC recommendations.