Thinking of Traveling in the U.S.? Check Which States Have Travel Restrictions

As many as 50 million people were expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, with 95 percent of all trips happening by car, according to a forecast from AAA. Despite the pandemic, that’s only a 10 percent drop compared with last year, though AAA noted that its modeling was done earlier this fall, before states like California, Pennsylvania and others implemented new quarantine restrictions in response to the alarming rise in virus cases. The number of air travelers was expected to be half what it was last year.

People who are planning to travel outside of their home state should familiarize themselves with the virus rates where they plan to visit and assess the risk. For those who do decide to travel, the C.D.C. offers a series of recommendations for safety: that people wear a face mask in public, wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their face, keep six feet from others, cover coughs and sneezes, and use drive-through service and curbside pickup at restaurants and stores.

Here is a summary of current restrictions in the United States for leisure travelers, although many states do not apply them to those staying for less than 24 hours. Some municipalities or counties may have more stringent regulations. There are generally exemptions for essential workers who are on the job, including health care workers, members of the military and others, but even they may be subject to some restrictions. Visits for medical care may be considered essential, as they are in Massachusetts, but some states, like New York, require the patient and their companion to remain quarantined when they are not at their appointment. ...