Older Adults Willing to Travel Further for Specialty Care, Study Finds

Willingness to drive over an hour varies by demographics, with higher-income and minority patients more likely to travel longer distances.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A study of 2,650 adults aged 65 and older found that the median willingness to travel times was 67.5 minutes for primary care, 127.5 minutes for specialty care, and 112.5 minutes for one-time diagnostic appointments. Over 80% of respondents were willing to travel at least an hour for specialty and diagnostic care, with higher-income, more educated, and minority individuals more likely to travel longer distances. Those living in metro areas, reporting poor health, and having difficulty traveling were less willing to go far for care.

Why it matters

The findings highlight disparities in healthcare access and utilization among older adults, with socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing how far patients are willing to travel for necessary medical services. This information can help healthcare providers and policymakers better understand barriers to care and develop strategies to improve access, especially for vulnerable older adult populations.

The details

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, surveyed 2,650 adults aged 65 and older through the nationwide Understanding America Study. Key findings include that 60.3% of respondents were willing to travel at least an hour for primary care, while 84.4% would travel that far for specialty care and 82.5% for one-time diagnostic appointments. Respondents with higher incomes, more education, and from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to be willing to travel longer durations. Conversely, those living in metropolitan areas, reporting fair or poor health, and having difficulty traveling for past appointments were less willing to go the extra distance for care.

  • The survey was conducted between April 23 and June 8, 2026.
  • The study was published on February 23, 2026.

The players

University of Southern California

The research team that conducted the study on older adults' willingness to travel for medical care is based at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

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What’s next

The study authors suggest the findings can help healthcare providers and policymakers develop strategies to improve access to care, especially for vulnerable older adult populations who may face barriers to traveling longer distances.

The takeaway

This study provides valuable insights into the travel patterns and preferences of older adult patients, which can inform efforts to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare services for this growing demographic, regardless of their socioeconomic status or where they live.