It’s already a major life and time commitment to go through any kind of fertility treatment, so of course it’s ideal to schedule your fertility care as close to home as possible. But that may not be the reality in many parts of the country. The reality is that there are only about 1,300 reproductive endocrinologists in the U.S., and a number of those specialists are limited to certain larger cities as opposed to more rural areas. Research also estimates that 25 million people don’t have access to a fertility clinic in their area.

Even if there is an IVF clinic right where you live, you could be subjected to limited availability within that clinic, and long wait times. Not only that, but IVF costs, insurance laws, and access to certain specialized fertility care can vary based on the state you’re in.

So in some cases, traveling for IVF makes sense and is your best option not only for convenience of location, but for the kind of care you need for your unique journey.

You may not have thought that packing the car and driving across state lines or hopping on a flight would be part of your journey to becoming a parent. Nevertheless, IVF travel can expand your fertility treatment options and may improve your overall experience and outcomes. And that’s worth the extra trek.

Why People Travel for IVF

Traveling for fertility treatment and leaving your home state isn’t as uncommon as you’d think. Many patients routinely drive (or fly) a few hours to another state to receive fertility treatment.

Your state may have limited fertility clinics

About 20% of people in the U.S. live in rural areas. Healthcare is absolutely impacted by this geographically: 36% of all U.S. counties are considered maternity care deserts, where there are no hospitals providing obstetric care, birth centers, or obstetric providers.

Some of those same people in maternity care deserts also live in an area that is a fertility care desert. There are certain states, like Wyoming, that have zero free-standing IVF clinics and very minimal access to care, sending patients over the border to nearby Utah or Colorado for out-of-state IVF care.

You may need access to specialized treatments

Especially if you live in a state with limited assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, there’s a chance you could have fewer options if you need more specialized care. For example, some fertility clinics and providers have more expertise with certain situations such as diminished ovarian reserve, use of donor eggs, or genetic counseling capabilities. Patients sometimes use IVF travel to access specific programs or expertise aligned with specific needs, such as LGBTQ+ family building or recurrent pregnancy loss.

How State Laws Can Affect Your IVF Options

Your state and location within it may also influence your insurance coverage or fertility benefits, and regulations surrounding fertility care.

Insurance mandates vary by state

About half the states in the U.S., 25 states and Washington, D.C. require private insurers to cover fertility care to some degree. (Click here for a map of what coverage your state offers.) Even with those state mandates, eligibility for fertility treatments vary - some states only cover fertility care like IVF or egg freezing for certain infertility diagnoses or for people undergoing cancer treatment.

In general, the other half of states offer limited or no mandated coverage for IVF treatment, which can make fertility financially stressful, or inaccessible entirely.

Access can differ from one state to another

In densely populated areas, like big cities, it’s possible that you’ll find greater wait times due to higher demand and less appointment availability, plus limits on laboratory capacity for egg or embryo storage. The same might be the case if you live in a state where there are only a few clinics in total. Donor programs might have limited availability in certain states, and some states that have been particularly affected by laws regarding legal personhood for frozen embryos.

Traveling for IVF can open access to options that simply aren't available locally.

When Traveling Could Actually Save Money

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Keep in mind that IVF clinic pricing varies quite a bit from state to state, and can even vary from clinic to clinic within or outside of certain metropolitan areas. It’s a good idea to also research medication costs (Sunfish planning partners can help with that) differences between states.

Hotels and transportation fees are expenses you’re likely to incur if you have to go to another state, but you should consider the total cost and not just travel expenses. Certain metropolitan areas have bundled treatment packages, multiple-cycle pricing, and even refund and protection programs. Sunfish’s Success Programs offer all of those things, and we can even assist you in finding the best IVF clinic for you if you haven’t found one yet.

What Parts of IVF Do You Actually Need to Travel For?

Choosing an out-of-state fertility clinic doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to spend your entire IVF cycle away from home. Depending on your clinic, treatment plan, and the availability of local providers, you may be able to complete much of your care close to home and travel only for procedures that need to happen at your IVF clinic.

For an egg retrieval cycle, for example, your clinic may allow you to complete routine monitoring (such as bloodwork and ultrasounds) with a local provider or OBGYN. Your results can then be shared with your fertility clinic so your care team can monitor your progress and let you know when it’s time to travel. You would typically need to be at your IVF clinic for the egg retrieval itself, along with whatever time your care team recommends before and after the procedure.

If you’re returning later for an embryo transfer, you may not need to make the same trip all over again. Monitoring may again be possible closer to home, depending on your clinic’s protocols. If sperm is needed and your partner or sperm source can’t travel with you, it may also be possible to arrange for a frozen sperm sample to be shipped to the clinic in advance, subject to the clinic’s requirements. That can allow you to plan your travel primarily around the transfer itself.

Every clinic has its own policies for remote monitoring, outside labs, specimen shipping, and how long patients need to be onsite. Before choosing an out-of-state clinic, ask exactly which appointments must happen in person and which can happen near home. A little coordination upfront can make traveling for IVF much more manageable, and help you understand the true travel costs and time commitment before treatment begins.

Practical Things to Consider Before Traveling

Take a look at this checklist before you make the decision to travel out-of-state for IVF treatment.

Travel logistics

• Flights or driving distance
• Time off work
• Hotel stays
• Recovery after retrieval

Availability of local monitoring

Can you complete all of the following in your home state or area?

• Bloodwork
• Ultrasounds
• Monitoring appointments near home before traveling for procedures.

Support system needs

• Ability to travel with a partner, friend, or family member
• Having someone available after retrieval
• Emotional support during treatment itself

Communication with your clinic

• Capacity for clear scheduling
• Shared records
• Well-coordinated care

In addition, here are some questions to ask before choosing an out-of-state IVF clinic:

• How many trips will I need to make?
• Can any monitoring/testing happen near home?
• What is included in your pricing?
• Are medications included?
• What happens if additional treatment is needed?
• How do you coordinate care with local providers?
• Who can I contact between appointments?
• What are the expected timelines?

Choosing the right IVF clinic for you isn't simply about finding the closest, most convenient option. You want to make sure the chosen fertility clinic has the care that is closest suited to your medical needs, timeline, and budget. (Take a look at our trusted clinic network to get a better idea.)

For some people, that may be a clinic close to home. For others, traveling out of state may provide access to more options, different pricing structures, or specialized expertise worth considering. Double check the above checklists to verify your top priorities in a clinic, as it can help you evaluate the full picture of the best IVF clinic location for you.