Traveling from Missouri to Illinois for the Abortion Pill

Yes. You can legally travel from Missouri to Illinois for abortion care. No law stops you from getting healthcare in another state. Illinois has no residency rule. You do not need to live there or have an Illinois ID to get care.

Missouri's total ban on abortion took effect after the Dobbs decision in 2022. It bans all abortions except in a medical emergency, and there are no exceptions for rape or incest. The ban only applies inside Missouri. Once you cross into Illinois, you are under Illinois law, and abortion there is legal and protected.

Illinois also has shield laws that protect patients who travel from other states for care. Missouri cannot use Illinois courts to take legal action against you for care that is legal in Illinois. Laws can change, though, so ask about the current rules at your visit if you are worried.

The Center for Women is in Westchester, IL, a western suburb of Chicago. Here are rough driving times from major Missouri cities:

• St. Louis: about 4.5 hours (300 miles) via I-55 North to I-294
• Springfield, MO: about 6 hours (370 miles) via I-44 East to I-55 North
• Kansas City: about 7.5 hours (500 miles) via I-70 East to I-55 North
• Columbia: about 5.5 hours (350 miles) via I-70 East to I-55 North
• Cape Girardeau: about 5.5 hours (350 miles) via I-57 North to I-294

The clinic is at 10215 W. Roosevelt Rd. #101, Westchester, IL 60154, with free parking on site and restaurants, gas stations, and stores nearby.

For patients in the St. Louis area, there are also clinics closer to the border in the Metro East region of Illinois. If you prefer the in-person, doctor-supervised care The Center for Women provides, the extra drive may be worth it.

Your appointment at The Center for Women takes about 1 hour. The doctor will do an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are. They will also review your health history and medicines, then prescribe the abortion pill if you are eligible (up to 10 weeks of pregnancy).

You take the first pill, mifepristone, at the clinic during your visit. It rarely causes immediate symptoms, so you will feel fine to drive home after, even with a 4 to 5 hour drive ahead. You take the second set of pills, misoprostol, at home 24 to 48 hours later. The doctor gives you clear instructions on timing and what to expect.

The cost is $380. It covers your appointment, ultrasound, both medicines, and a follow-up visit, and a cash discount is available. Bring a valid photo ID; your Missouri driver's license works.

Illinois shield laws protect out-of-state patients who travel to Illinois for abortion care. Under these laws, Illinois will not help with another state's investigations, subpoenas, or legal actions over care that was legal in Illinois. That includes actions from Missouri.

Your medical records at The Center for Women are protected by federal HIPAA rules and by Illinois privacy laws. Missouri law enforcement cannot get your records through Illinois courts or agencies.

Healthcare providers in Illinois are protected too. The doctor who treats you faces no legal risk for caring for Missouri patients. The clinic regularly serves patients from Missouri and other states with abortion bans.

A trip from Missouri to Westchester is a full day of driving, so it helps to plan ahead:

• Plan for the full day: The drive from St. Louis is about 4.5 hours each way, and longer from other cities. Add a 1-hour appointment and you are looking at a 10 to 12 hour day. Leaving early in the morning helps.
• Consider staying overnight: There are low-cost hotels near the clinic in Westchester and the nearby suburbs. Staying over before or after your visit can make the trip less tiring. It is a personal choice, not a medical requirement.
• Misoprostol timing: You take the second set of pills at home 24 to 48 hours after your visit. That leaves plenty of time to drive home and get settled before any symptoms begin.
• What to bring: Photo ID, comfortable clothes for the drive, a phone charger, snacks and water, and a list of any medicines you take.
• Gas and rest stops: The I-55 corridor between St. Louis and Chicago has regular gas stations and rest areas. Plan your stops so the drive stays comfortable.

You do not need a companion, but you are welcome to bring someone for support or to share the driving. Your companion can wait in the waiting area during your appointment, which takes about 1 hour.

The clinic does not have childcare, and children cannot be in the exam room. If you travel with kids, plan for another adult to watch them during your visit. Nearby restaurants or shopping areas can keep them busy.

Some patients like to have a support person on the phone when they take misoprostol at home. That helps even if the person did not come along for the clinic visit.

Call The Center for Women at (708) 450-4545 to schedule your appointment. Same-day, evening, and weekend appointments are available. Let the staff know you are traveling from Missouri so they can help find a time that works with your travel plans.

The Center for Women is at 10215 W. Roosevelt Rd. #101, Westchester, IL 60154. The cost is $380 and covers your appointment, ultrasound, medications, and follow-up visit.