Forecasts for a post‐Roe America: The effects of increased travel distance on abortions and births

Abstract

I compile novel data measuring county‐level travel distances to abortion facilities and resident abortion rates from 2009 through 2020. Using these data, I implement a difference‐in‐difference research design measuring the effects of driving distance to the nearest abortion facility on abortions and births. The results indicate large but diminishing effects: an increase from 0 to 100 miles is estimated to reduce abortion rates by 19.4% and increase birth rates by 2.2%, while the next 100 miles reduces abortions by an additional 12.8% and increases births by an additional 1.6%. Based on this evidence, I forecast the effects of post‐Roe abortion bans on abortion rates by county, state, and region. In a scenario in which total abortion bans take effect in 24 states, about one‐quarter of residents seeking abortions are predicted to become trapped by distance and about three‐quarters of those who are trapped are predicted to give birth as a result.