Want to Protect Abortion Access? Start by Funding Travel Support
When we think about abortion access, we often picture debates in state legislatures or Supreme Court hearings. But for many people, the real barrier is geographic. Entire regions of the United States now have no abortion providers at all, forcing people to consider out-of-state abortion as their only option.
The roadblocks don’t stop there. For someone seeking care, traveling often means arranging child care, missing work shifts, paying for gas or airfare, booking a hotel, and navigating unfamiliar places, all while managing the stress of time-sensitive medical care. In other words, the right to abortion doesn’t mean much without the abortion support needed to reach it.
The Growing Need: Abortion Bans and Interstate Travel
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, state abortion bans have multiplied. Dozens of states now enforce near-total bans or severe restrictions. This has left millions of people without local providers, pushing abortion seekers across state borders in record numbers. This growing crisis shows how fragile access to abortion has become, with geography now determining whether or not someone can receive timely care.
Here are some key facts about how far people must travel and the growing impact of abortion bans on access to care:
In 2023, 171,300 people traveled out of state for abortion care, which represented more than 15% of all clinician-provided abortions in states where the procedure was legal.
That’s more than double the number who made interstate trips in 2020 (about 73,100).
Nearly one in five abortion patients in early 2023 crossed state lines to obtain abortion care (which is up from one in ten in 2020).
Following the Dobbs decision, the typical one-way drive for someone at least six weeks pregnant to reach an abortion clinic grew from about 33 minutes to more than two hours, a 300% increase in travel time nationwide.
For people who can’t travel, options are limited. Some turn to online care and order abortion pills by mail, but those methods may not be safe or accessible for everyone.
Why Travel Support Matters More Than Ever
When abortion is legal in one state and banned in another, the deciding factor often isn’t legality but economic status. The person who can afford a plane ticket gets care. The person who can’t may be forced to continue a pregnancy against their will. And those who can’t afford that ticket are often the same people least equipped to handle medical emergencies related to pregnancy or the long-term financial and health challenges of raising a child without adequate support.
Funding travel is one of the most practical ways to bridge that gap. Covering a tank of gas or a single night in a motel can be the difference between someone receiving care or being denied it. This is how to support abortion access in the most tangible way possible.
Supporting abortion travel also recognizes the broader principles of reproductive justice. It’s not enough to have theoretical rights. True justice means that people can actually exercise their rights regardless of their income, race, or zip code.
Who’s Already Doing the Work
Across the country, abortion organizations and informal mutual aid groups are stepping up. They arrange carpools, book hotels, provide gas money, and sometimes even accompany patients on long journeys.
The scale of need is overwhelming, though. Many of these networks operate on shoestring budgets and rely heavily on volunteers. Despite that, they’ve created powerful webs of abortion support that reach across state lines.
If you don’t know where to start, the Roe Fund’s Start Here page is a great first step: it compiles trusted, practical resources for abortion care. It can guide you through finding clinics, accessing telehealth services, and connecting with financial or travel support if needed.
How Individuals Can Help
You don’t need to run an organization to make a difference. Here are practical ways anyone can contribute:
Donate to Travel Funds: Even small contributions can help someone cover fuel, meals, or lodging.
Offer Practical Help: If you live in a state with access, consider offering rides, hosting someone for a night, or sharing local resources.
Spread Awareness: Share credible information about abortion travel and proactive health options.
Advocate for Policies: Support local measures that provide public funding for reproductive care and push back against restrictive laws.
Stay Informed: The landscape changes quickly. Reliable guides can help you navigate resources.
By combining small, everyday actions with larger systemic advocacy, individuals can play a real part in ensuring people have access to abortion no matter where they live.
Protecting Access Means Supporting Movement
So much of the national conversation focuses on legal battles, but the truth is that the fight is also happening on the ground. In buses, trains, cars, and airplanes, people are moving across borders to reach care that should have been available at home. As much as we may wish these services were accessible locally, we have to acknowledge the reality and meet people where they are, providing the support they actually need.
Protecting abortion rights means funding not just clinics but also the journeys to get there. Travel support is the bridge between legality and reality. Without it, reproductive rights remain theoretical. With it, people have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and futures.
Need Help?
The Roe Fund is dedicated to supporting anyone seeking access to reproductive health care, including information and financial assistance related to abortion services. While the Roe Fund itself doesn’t provide abortion services, we play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate their options and connect with the resources they need. Specifically, we fund abortion clinics and assist pregnant people in gathering information on obtaining a safe, legal abortion.
We partner with clinics nationwide, offering financial assistance to those who qualify. This support is designed to ease the financial burden of seeking safe and legal abortions. We empower individuals by connecting them with credible resources and clinics that can help, including information on obtaining medical abortion pills.
If you believe in reproductive justice and equitable access to care, please consider donating or spreading the word.