Traveling anywhere right now is not a good idea thanks to COVID-19. But if you’re still RVing for some reason, many states have self-quarantine requirements that apply to you.
What to Know About RVing with States Self-Quarantine Requirements
As I mentioned last week, the biggest full-time RVing drawback is a virus. But that’s not the only downside. It’s the self-quarantine restrictions that accompany it.
Traveling when the COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing put everyone’s health in jeopardy. And now state governments want to make sure you don’t do that.
Chances are good that the United States will not issue strict lockdowns as seen in European and Asian countries. The federal government has limited legal authority to do so. But state governments can take matters into their own hands with recommendations and advisories.
According USA Today, the following states are now requiring new or returning visitors to self-quarantine. Remember, this information will change during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of April 6, 2020, the following states have issued travel advisories. More are expected to follow.
Alaska
People coming into Alaska must comply with a new mandate requiring everyone entering the state from outside to self-quarantine for 14 days. Travelers must fill out a State of Alaska Travel Declaration Form to let authorities know where they plan to wait out the self-quarantine.
Delaware
The governor is ordering all visitors to self-quarantine for 14-days, but will not require travelers just passing through the tiny state. Authorities have the legal right to stop all vehicles with out-of-state plates.
Florida
Be on the lookout for highway checkpoints installed to remind travelers that anyone driving into Florida must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Kansas
The state’s self-quarantine requirement appears to only apply to state residents. According to USA Today, “residents who traveled to California, Florida, New York, Washington on or after March 15; Illinois or New Jersey on or after March 23; or Colorado and Louisiana on or after March 27 must self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to Kansas.”
Kentucky
Visitors returning from another state must self-quarantine for 14 days. It does not apply to anyone driving through the state or not staying overnight.
Maine
Maine issued some of the clearest self-quarantine requirements. Travelers coming to the state from anywhere, for any time length must, self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their state of residency.
Massachusetts
If you drive into Massachusetts, you are urged (but not required) to self-quarantine.
Montana
Anyone arriving for reasons other than work must self-quarantine for 14 days. The Montana National Guard is authorized to check travelers’ temperatures at airports and rail stations, but no word on if they plan on adding highway checkpoints.
Nevada
If you visit Nevada, you are urged to self-quarantine.
North Dakota
If you have been in a foreign country or any of 23 designated states, you must self-quarantine for 14 days. Returning snowbirds from any state are urged to do the same.
Oklahoma
Traveled to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana or Washington lately? Then you must self-quarantine.
Rhode Island
The state has issued an order for all travelers from any state to self-quarantine for 14 days.
South Carolina
Did you go RVing to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or New Orleans lately? You must self-quarantine.
Texas
If you’ve gone RVing to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Orleans, California, Louisiana, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago or Detroit, get ready to self-quarantine. Be on the lookout for highway checkpoints at the Louisiana border.
Vermont
Anyone, resident or not, traveling into Vermont “for anything other than an essential purpose” must self-quarantine for 14 days.
West Virginia
If you’ve traveled to New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Italy or China you must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Exceptions to COVID-19 State Travel Advisories
In almost every instance, the advisories are just that. State governments aren’t forcing people into self-quarantine locations, but emphasizing the need to do so to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. If for whatever reason you are RVing into states with self-quarantine requirements, following them is common sense.
As for anyone arriving into a state to work in health care, public safety, transportation or “designated essential services,” they are not required to comply with the self-quarantine recommendations. It is unclear what kind of proof will be necessary to get around the requirements. If you fall into this category of interstate RV traveler, you owe it to yourself to look up your state’s requirements by searching “COVID-19 travel advisory” and the state you are going into.
Remember, this information is subject to change as events happen.
Read More About
RVing and COVID-19

Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Where does md, part, nj, va stand with restrictions
Chuck, I couldn’t find information about them at the time this article was written. If you can, please comment. Thanks.
What happened to Missouri? Don’t we still have a state?
Mike, I couldn’t find any information about MO at the time I was writing the article. If you can, please comment. Thanks.
Call a head ,but Coachlight RV Park is still taking nightly and monthly RV spaces in Carthage, Mo
This article would be more useful if it explained what self-quarantine means. How does it differ from shelter in place? If I am sheltering in place I am allowed to go to the grocery store or pharmacy for food and medicine. What if I am self-quarantining?
Larry, as far as I understand, quarantine in this circumstance means to not leave your location for any reason for 14 days. Shelter in place means only leave for essential things like groceries and urgent medical care.
My wife and I live in FL now but are planning to drive our self contained RV up to Maine for the summer as we have family there. We plan to leave Monday 5/18 to start our journey to Maine.
We as I’m sure other RVer’s need more clarification around the 14 day quarantine in many states.
Our plan is drive our route to Maine only stopping at truck stops to refuel and sleep then continue on to Maine, where we plan to self quarantine for their 14 day request.
Can I assume where we are not stopping in any state off of the interstate we are traveling, that we would not be required to quarantine in every stated on our way up to Maine???
Any advice on the latest on the interstate travel from Florida to Maine would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Stay Safe & Healthy!
Brian & Jean Cram
As of May 15th, Maryland is opening (loosening) restrictions for travel with the exception of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Both of these counties are part of the main interstate corridor (I-95/495 and I-270), which is also the congested Washington DC metro area. DC is still under a restriction order until June 8th. Baltimore is opening some but still has restricted policies in place. All areas reporting at least minimum wear masks in stores and other gathering places.
Thank you Chuckt-
I think if we follow the guidelines- social distancing, face masks , gloves etc when at truck stop etc we should ok to travel north.
We’ll see won’t we?
Be safe!