How to Fill Prescriptions While Traveling in 2025 | TravlSync by TravlFi

Hitting the road but worried about filling prescriptions out of state? A pharmacist and a full-time traveler with type 1 diabetes weigh in.

Full-time travel offers open highways, new destinations, and seemingly endless unpredictability. One thing you don’t want to be unpredictable, though, is where you’re going to get your next prescription refill. For RVers and vanlifers, access to prescription medications requires an additional kind of planning when you’re on the road (especially if you’re full-timing).

“Preparation is key when travel is pre-planned,” says Michael B. Creason, MS, PharmD.

And Gretchen Woodson, a full-time traveler with type 1 diabetes, agrees that extra thought goes into planning a long-term trip when prescriptions are a necessity. Our guide will walk you through the realities of filling prescriptions while traveling, covering controlled substance restrictions, out-of-state laws, digital tools, and storage.

Plus, we got some additional tips from both Creason and Woodson, so you can hear it straight from the pros.

Michael B. Creason, MS, PharmD, an experienced San Diego pharmacist and Gretchen Woodson, a full-time traveler with type 1 diabetes contributed expertise to this article.
This article was reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Capritto, TravlFi editor.

Can You Fill Prescriptions Out of State?

U.S. federal law allows non-controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies in different states, but the process isn’t always as easy as it sounds, especially with smaller pharmacy chains that don’t have as many locations. Controlled substances require even deeper consideration as the laws are much more rigid.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permits a one-time electronic transfer of Schedule III to Schedule V controlled substance prescriptions (like Tylenol with Codeine, some testosterone therapies, Ambien, Xanax, Ativan, and Tramadol) between pharmacies, pending state law. However, Schedule II medications, like some ADHD meds and pain relievers (i.e., Adderall, Ritalin, OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin), usually can’t be transferred at all.

“Keep in mind that controlled meds have limitations to the total number of refills that they can have,” Creason explains. “CII meds (Schedule II drugs) are not permitted to be transferred, and controlled meds often cannot be transferred back to your home state after travel due to the other state’s regulations.”

Travelers managing ADHD medications, opioid pain relief, or certain anxiety treatments may come across road blocks. For these folks, it’s critical to map out pharmacy locations along your route and consult with your healthcare providers and pharmacist before you hit the road.

Creason emphasizes an important tip: “Transfers for any prescriptions should always be initiated at the pharmacy where you’d like to have the prescription filled. Find a pharmacy where you would like to have it filled and give them your info, your pharmacy’s info, and the meds you need and they can transfer them over.”

International Travel

For international travel, the situation changes (again). The FDA allows travelers entering the U.S. to carry up to a 90-day supply of medications for personal use. However, if traveling out of the U.S., some countries’ laws are stricter than others, and they may ask for a doctors' note or other documentation. Woodson weighed in on this as she crossed the border into Canada recently with her medication in tow.

“Anytime I travel internationally, whether by plane or car, I do feel some anxiety about carrying medical supplies like insulin, syringes, insulin pumps, and CGMs,” she says. “As a precaution, I always carry a doctor’s note explaining my condition and the medical devices I need to have with me at all times. This helps ease any concerns at security checkpoints and ensures I’m prepared if I’m ever questioned.”

Filling Prescriptions at Different Pharmacies While Traveling

Choosing to fill your prescriptions at a national pharmacy chain can be a huge stress reliever for travelers. Chains like Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS boast networks that make it much easier to refill medications when you don’t have access to your home pharmacy.

“I use a national pharmacy chain—CVS Pharmacy—so I am able to transfer prescriptions easily to different CVS locations all across the country as I travel,” says Woodson.

For digital nomads using smaller, independent pharmacies, how easy it is to refill your prescriptions depends on planning and communication. Contact the pharmacy you plan to refill at well before you arrive, confirm they accept out-of-state transfers, and provide your home pharmacy’s information to avoid scrambling at the last minute.

Many travelers also don’t realize that insurance companies often allow one or two “vacation overrides” per year. These let you fill a prescription early if you’ll be away when your next refill is due. Call your insurer in advance to request this accommodation.

But as Woodson noted, apps from major chains simplify the process. “Many larger pharmacy chains have apps that provide vision on the number of refills and how long until the prescription expires (six months from the date the prescription was written for controlled meds and 12 months for non-controlled meds),” Creason says.

How Digital Nomads Manage Prescriptions on the Go

For full-time travelers, managing medications requires careful planning and flexibility. Woodson has developed a multi-layered approach to avoid gaps in care, adapting her strategies based on the length and style of her trips.

Packing for Shorter Trips

“For shorter travels with a set start and end date, I pack all the medications I’ll need, plus double the amount as a backup in case of emergencies or malfunctions. I also make sure to get my monthly prescriptions filled right before I leave,” Woodson says.

This approach works well for vacations or seasonal travel when you know exactly how long you’ll be away. It also builds a buffer against common travel disruptions like flight cancellations or lost luggage.

Using Pharmacy Apps for Long-Term Travel

For longer, open-ended trips, Woodson relies on digital tools to manage her digital nomad prescriptions. “The CVS app allows me to easily manage my prescriptions, request refills, and even transfer prescriptions to other CVS locations,” she says.

Pharmacy apps like CVS Health and Walgreens provide a centralized way to track medications, receive refill reminders, and handle transfers between locations. For digital nomads moving from one state to another, these apps can be the key to maintaining access to necessary prescriptions.

Mail-Order Pharmacies

Mail-order pharmacies are another option for travelers staying in one location for several weeks or months. “If you will be staying in another location for an extended period of time and your insurance offers it, using mail order can be used to have many (but not all) prescriptions sent directly to that non-home address,” says Creason

This method can save time and reduce stress, but it isn’t without challenges. Woodson points out why mail order hasn’t been practical for her travel style: “We often book accommodations spontaneously based on how we feel about each place as we arrive. Because of this, it’s difficult to predict exactly where we’ll be on any given day, which makes coordinating deliveries challenging.”

Telehealth and E-Prescriptions as Backups

When prescriptions run out or new health issues arise, telehealth can provide a vital safety net. Many states now allow providers to issue electronic prescriptions that can be filled at local pharmacies, making it possible to get necessary medications without visiting a doctor’s office in person.

Keeping Your Medications Accessible and Safe

Gaining access to your medications on the road is only half the battle. Once you have your prescriptions filled, storing them and keeping them safe isn’t as straightforward as it may be at home where you have access to refrigerators, cabinets in air conditioned spaces, and reliable security systems installed in your house.

Storage in RVs and Vans

Temperature control is critical for many medications, particularly insulin. The CDC advises against storing medications in vehicles where temperatures rise quickly.

Woodson uses a high-quality cooler system to keep insulin at the right temperature. “I invested in a durable, high-quality Yeti cooler before I started traveling with type 1 diabetes. I keep it stocked with ice, usually from gas stations, which lasts about three days. When staying in hotels or rentals with a mini fridge, I transfer my insulin there temporarily until I can restock the ice. It takes a bit of effort, but it’s a reliable system that ensures my insulin stays protected.”

Creason advises travelers to ask their pharmacy for reusable insulated containers. “Many pharmacies have extra storage containers (like styrofoam coolers) that they often dispose of that can be given to patients when asked,” he notes. “Take caution to keep the meds from touching the ice or freezing, and I recommend using a small thermometer to ensure the temp is in the appropriate range [for your medication].”

Setting Refill Reminders and Backup Plans

Set refill reminders a week or two before your medications run out to allow for delays, especially in remote areas. Pharmacy apps can help, but travelers should also carry a paper copy of prescriptions and keep a small backup supply in case they’re off-grid or without cell service. “Travel delays or changes happen frequently, and having extra can help minimize the stress of needing to get more,” Creason advises.

Lost or Stolen Medications

Traveling with medications carries security risks, but most insurers offer solutions. “Many insurances allow a once-yearly override for lost/stolen medications,” Creason says. “If not, many pharmacies can apply discount cards (like GoodRx) to lower the cash price for the prescription. Note that you may not need to purchase a full 30- or 90-day supply, just however much is needed until the date the prescription can be filled again through insurance.”

FAQs

Can I use GoodRx or other discount cards on the road?
Yes. GoodRx and other discount programs work nationwide at participating pharmacies. They’re especially helpful when paying out of pocket for an early refill or replacement.

Can I switch pharmacies frequently?
With planning, you can, but frequent transfers increase the chance of errors. Staying within a national chain, like CVS or Walgreens, helps simplify the process.

How can I fill prescriptions while traveling?
Plan far in advance. Use pharmacy apps to manage refills and transfers, ask your doctor for a 90-day supply if possible, and carry a paper copy of your prescriptions as a backup.