Spring has officially sprung, and the warmer weather and school breaks are bringing out U.S. travelers in pandemic-era record numbers. COVID-19 vaccination rollouts throughout the states have built up some real momentum and those that have already been inoculated impatient to take the vacations they’ve put off for the past year.
Luckily, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just released new guidance for fully vaccinated Americans in which the agency states that those who’ve received a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine can travel safely within the U.S.
That’s great news for the already-immunized, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that travel restrictions in individual states don’t still apply to everyone else.
The U.S. is actually seeing infection numbers rise again nationwide, and another surge could be imminent, despite the air of optimism that vaccine distribution has inspired.
Ahead, we take a look at which states have dropped their defenses against interstate visitors and which are maintaining certain requirements for out-of-state travelers as we head into April.
Alabama
As of April 4, Alabama had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors. *For further updates, and detailed information on local health and safety measures,
check Alabama's official website. *Alabama's current statewide mask requirement is set to expire April 9, but the wearing of masks in public is still recommended.
Alaska
Alaska’s former interstate travel restrictions have been downgraded to a Health Advisory (i.e., official guidance that visitors should observe voluntarily). Out-of-state travelers are still strongly encouraged to test within 72 hours of arrival in the state and airport testing remains available.
—A second test, to be taken between five and 14 days after arrival in Alaska, is also strongly recommended.
—All interstate travelers must still complete a Travel Declaration Form through the Alaska Travel Portal.
*For more detailed information on local health and safety measures, check Alaska’s official website.
Arizona
As of April 4, Arizona had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
—Native American tribal lands may have their own specific restrictions, so visit this link to see their various opening statuses.
—The statuses of tourism attractions, businesses and parks are listed here.
*For more detailed and local information, check Arizona's official website. *Masks and social distancing in alignment with CDC recommendations are encouraged, but not mandated.
Arkansas
As of April 4, Arkansas had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Arkansas' official website.
*A statewide mask mandate is in effect, requiring everyone to wear masks while in public spaces.
California
California no longer has statewide restrictions on inbound travelers and the California Department of Public Health lifted its 120-mile travel advisory on April 1.
—In Los Angeles County, travelers coming from out of state are still required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
Those over the age of 16 must fill out this online form, acknowledging that they have read and understood the L.A. County Department of Public Health's travel requirement. Failure to submit this form prior to or upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport or Union Station is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
—Those who intend to visit California should continue to monitor the latest local restrictions for their destination city.
*For more detailed and local information, check California's official website.
Colorado
Colorado doesn’t have statewide travel restrictions, but Pitkin County (home to ski resort towns Aspen and Snowmass) has had formerly enforced its own entry requirements. As of March 5, however, the previous Pitkin County Traveler Affidavit Requirement changed to the Traveler Responsibility Code.
—Travelers ages 10 and up who are spending one or more nights in the county must complete the new Traveler Responsibility Code, which simply asks visitors to acknowledge the CDC’s travel recommendations and local public health orders.
—While the guidelines are similar to what they were previously, the new program asks visitors to follow CDC’s updated travel guidance in lieu of enforcing pre-arrival testing or quarantine requirements.
—Note that CDC does recommend getting tested one to three days prior to travel and reducing non-essential activities for a full seven days after traveling.
*For more detailed and local information, check Colorado’s official website and Pitkin County's website.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s previous interstate travel restrictions are no longer in effect, although pre-travel testing and post-arrival 10-day quarantines are still recommended.
—Domestic travelers are now directed to refer to CDC travel-related guidelines.
*For more detailed and local information, check Connecticut's official website.
Delaware
As of April 4, Delaware had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Delaware's official website.
Florida
As of April 4, Florida had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Florida's official website.
Georgia
As of April 4, Georgia had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Georgia's official website.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s interstate travel restrictions continue to evolve, and the rules can vary depending upon which island you’re visiting, although lawmakers are currently drafting a bill that would standardize travel regulations across all counties.
Hawaii's Pre-Travel Testing Program allows passengers to bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine period by taking a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) through one of the state’s Trusted Testing Partners within 72 hours of their arrival. Interisland travelers are also currently subject to quarantine restrictions, but, in some cases, testing out of quarantine is an option. Links to county-specific details can be found here.
—Travelers must upload their test results to the state's online Safe Travels form and complete a health questionnaire within 24 hours of their departure. They’ll then receive a QR code via email to present to airport screeners upon arrival.
—Travelers are required to upload their negative test results or have them on hand prior to their departure if they want to skip Hawaii’s default mandatory 10-day quarantine.
—At least 25 percent of travelers who use the Pre-Travel Testing option will also be randomly selected to receive a non-optional second test upon arrival at the airport, free of charge.
—Kauai is set to rejoin the state’s Safe Travels program on April 5, until which time Kauai demands the full 10 days' quarantine, unless you’re staying at a designated “resort bubble” hotel and receive a negative test result after spending 72 hours confined to your resort. Or, travelers now have the option of arriving on another island, spending at least three days there, and then testing again before flying to Kauai. If the second test is negative, they get to bypass quarantine.
—As of yet, Hawaii currently has established no provisions to exempt fully vaccinated travelers from these requirements.
*For more detailed and local information, check Hawaii’s official website.
Idaho
As of April 4, Idaho had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Idaho's official website.
Illinois
While Illinois doesn’t have statewide travel restrictions, Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order applies to anyone entering or returning to the city from states identified as having a significant degree of community-wide COVID-19 spread. As of the latest update on March 23, the Travel Order applies to 26 states.
—Those coming from “Orange” states must either quarantine for 10 days or provide a negative COVID-19 test result from a sample taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Chicago.
—Those coming from “Yellow” states aren’t subject to testing or quarantine requirements.
*For more detailed and local information, check Chicago's official website and Illinois’ travel guidance.
Indiana
As of April 4, Indiana had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Indiana's official website.
Iowa
As of April 4, Iowa had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Iowa's official website.
Kansas
For the most part, Kansas is open to U.S. travelers, with quarantine and testing measures that apply only to some strangely specific groups, the list of which can be found here.
—Visitors that fall under these categories must isolate from seven to 10 days, depending upon whether or not they get tested for COVID-19 on Day 6 of their quarantine. Those who receive a negative result after testing on their sixth day will be released from quarantine on Day 8, rather than Day 11.
*For more detailed and local information, check Kansas’ official website.
*Mask mandates vary by county, since some opted out of Governor Kelly’s second mask order. A map outlining countywide ordinances can be found here.
Kentucky
As of April 4, Kentucky had no statewide travel restrictions, although the state Public Health department is discouraging out-of-state leisure travel and urging residents who choose to travel to quarantine for 14 days upon their return, or follow CDC guidance for alternative options to shorten the quarantine period.
*For more detailed and local information, check Kentucky's official website.
Louisiana
As of April 4, Louisiana had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Louisiana's official website.
Maine
Travelers to Maine will need to either quarantine for a full 10 days or provide a negative COVID-19 test result from a sample taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Both PCR and antigen tests are acceptable to exempt visitors from quarantine, but returning residents must stick to molecular tests.
—Visitors may also test after entering Maine, but must quarantine until they receive results.
—Residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont are exempted from Maine’s testing and quarantine requirements.
—There are also exemptions available for those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior, and persons who had tested positive for the virus and recovered within the past 90 days.
—Travelers will also need to complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative test result, that they will complete the 10-day quarantine or that they have already completed their quarantine.
*For more detailed and local information, check Maine’s official website.
Maryland
As of April 4, Michigan had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, visit Maryland’s official website.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has lifted the state’s travel restrictions, replacing its previous COVID-19 Travel Order with a voluntary travel advisory.
*For more detailed and local information, check Massachusetts’ official website.
Michigan
As of April 4, Michigan had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Michigan's official website.
Minnesota
As of April 4, Minnesota had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors, but the state health department writes that “any unnecessary travel is highly discouraged”.
*For more detailed and local information, check Minnesota's official website.
*There is a statewide mask mandate requiring everyone to wear masks while inside business establishments, or indoor public spaces, and in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not feasible.
Mississippi
As of April 4, Mississippi had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Mississippi's official website.
*Last month, Governor Tate Reeves put an end to all county mask mandates and announced that Mississippi businesses may open at 100-percent capacity.
Missouri
As of April 4, Missouri had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Missouri’s official website.
Montana
As of April 4, Montana had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors, although the state’s Native American tribal lands may have their own sets of rules in place.
*For more detailed and local information, check Montana's official website.
Nebraska
As of April 4, Nebraska had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Nebraska's official website.
Nevada
As of April 4, Nevada had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Nevada's official website.
New Hampshire
Visitors to New Hampshire who are coming from states outside of New England are no longer required to quarantine or provide test results upon entry. New Hampshire’s Safer at Home initiative still advises adherence to the CDC’s latest travel guidance, including testing up to 72 hours prior to travel and again three to five days after travel, on a voluntary basis.
—Travelers are exempt from the advisory if they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and more than 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of their vaccine.
—Those who tested COVID-19 positive within the past 90 days and have recovered from the infection are also exempt. *For more detailed and local information, check New Hampshire’s official website.
New Jersey
Returning residents and travelers coming from any U.S. state or territory beyond New Jersey's immediate vicinity (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware) are advised to self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other lodgings for 10 days if they haven’t been tested or their test results are pending. The quarantine is voluntary, but compliance is expected.
—Those who take a viral COVID-19 test prior to arrival in New Jersey and receive negative results should still quarantine for a full seven days following their arrival.
*For more detailed and local information, check New Jersey’s official website.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s travel advisory is no longer mandating quarantine, but emphasizes that those arriving from high-risk states or territories are “strongly advised” to self-isolate for at least 10 days. Anyone entering New Mexico’s borders is also strongly advised to get COVID-19 tested at their earliest convenience.
—High-risk states are defined as having a five-percent or higher positivity rate or a positive test rate higher than 80 per one million residents, as measured over a seven-day rolling average). At last update on March 23, all U.S. states and jurisdictions except Hawaii were designated high-risk.
*For more detailed and local information, check New Mexico’s official website.
New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo has lifted New York’s mandatory testing and quarantine measures for domestic travelers, effective April 1.
—Unless they’re coming from a bordering state (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts or Vermont), all travelers must fill out the New York State Traveler Health Form. *For more detailed and local information, check New York’s official website.
North Carolina
As of April 4, North Carolina had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check North Carolina's official website.
North Dakota
As of April 4, North Dakota had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check North Dakota's official website.
Ohio
As of April 4, Ohio had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
—The state encourages travelers to carefully review the CDC’s latest guidance when considering travel.
*For more detailed and local information, check Ohio’s official website.
Oklahoma
As of April 4, Oklahoma had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Oklahoma's official website.
Oregon
Oregon’s standing travel advisory includes a recommendation that out-of-state travelers and returning residents should quarantine themselves for 14 days after arrival in the state.
*For more detailed and local information, check Oregon's official website.
Pennsylvania
As of April 4, Pennsylvania had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
—The state directs visitors to continue practicing public health measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene.
*For more detailed and local information, check Pennsylvania’s official website.
Rhode Island
Anyone coming to Rhode Island from states having a COVID-19 positivity rate higher than five percent must quarantine for 10 days or provide proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the state. You may also test following entry into the state, but must quarantine until receiving negative results.
—Rhode Island’s ‘restricted states’ roster, last updated on March 29, currently includes 23 U.S. states and territories.
—Domestic visitors who’ve received their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to their out-of-state trip and within the past 90 days are exempt from quarantine and testing requirements.
—Travelers who’ve tested COVID-19 positive in the past 90 days and have completed their isolation period are also exempt from quarantine and testing rules, provided they provide proof.
—Out-of-state visitors must also complete a certificate of compliance and an out-of-state travel screening form upon arriving in Rhode Island.
*For more detailed and local information, check Rhode Island’s official website.
South Carolina
As of April 4, South Carolina had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check South Carolina’s official website.
South Dakota
As of April 4, South Dakota had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors. However, some road routes through Native American tribal lands may be closed, and affected travelers will need to find alternatives.
*For more detailed and local information, check South Dakota’s official website.
Tennessee
As of April 4, Tennessee had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Tennessee’s official website.
Texas
As of April 4, Texas had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Texas’ official website.
*On March 2, Governor Greg Abbott lifted Texas' mask mandate and announced that all businesses of any type will be allowed to open at 100-percent capacity starting March 10.
Utah
As of April 4, Utah had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Utah’s official website.
Vermont
Anyone entering Vermont from out of state, including returning residents, must either complete a 14-day quarantine or take a COVID-19 PCR test on or after Day 7 to end their quarantine early through a negative test result.
—Travelers entering Vermont in a personal vehicle are afforded the option to complete their quarantine and testing requirements in their own state, prior to travel, in order to be allowed to move freely upon their arrival in Vermont.
—Travelers entering Vermont who have not completed a pre-arrival quarantine must complete either a 14-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine followed by a negative test.
—Those who have received their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to their trip can bypass quarantine.
—All out-of-state travelers utilizing lodging, camping and short-term rental properties must sign a Certificate of Compliance or affirm a compliance statement via a digital check box at the time of reservation and check-in attesting that they meet the quarantine requirements.
*For more detailed and local information, check Vermont’s official website.
Virginia, West Virginia
As of April 4, Virginia had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Virginia’s official website.
Also, as of April 4, West Virginia had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check West Virginia’s official website.
Washington
As of April 4, Washington had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
—In lieu of the state’s previous travel guidance, referring travelers instead to follow the CDC’s updated recommendations.
*For more detailed and local information, check Washington’s official website.
Washington, D.C.
Anyone traveling to Washington D.C. from a state or jurisdiction that has more than 10 daily cases per 100,000 people must arrive carrying negative results from a COVID-19 test administered no more than 72 hours prior to entering the District.
—Visitors or returning residents entering the District from high-risk states or territories must quarantine for a full 10 days upon arrival –OR– test again within three to five days of arrival and quarantine pending the results.
—Visitors from Maryland and Virginia, and low-risk states (currently North Dakota and Hawaii) are exempt from this order.
—Those entering D.C. to attend a family emergency or a funeral do not need to obtain a negative test prior to arriving but must restrict their activities to those related to the emergency.
—Testing requirements are waived for visitors who’ve been fully vaccinated within the previous 90 days, as well as those who have already tested positive for and recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days of travel. Travelers should carry with them documentation to this effect.
*For more detailed and local information, check the district’s official website.
*Wearing masks in public is mandatory in Washington D.C., with slim exceptions permitted during vigorous exercise, and while eating and drinking.
Wisconsin
As of April 4, Wisconsin had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors, but the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is recommending cancellation or postponement of all travel, including travel within the state.
*For more detailed and local information, check Wisconsin’s official website.
Wyoming
As of April 4, Wyoming had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.
*For more detailed and local information, check Wyoming’s official website.