For the 15% of Americans who live with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or the 3 million with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) — which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis — access to nearby restrooms is not a convenience but a medical necessity. Here is how to travel with confidence.

Plan Your Route Around Restroom Access

Before any trip, use tools like Google Maps to identify restroom stops along your route. Highway rest areas are spaced every 25–50 miles on most Interstates. Note locations of fast food chains, gas stations and truck stops along your intended route.

The Restroom Access Card

Many states have passed "Restroom Access Acts" (sometimes called Ally's Law) that require retail establishments with more than a certain number of employees to allow customers with medical conditions to use employee restrooms. Print a medical necessity card from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation website to carry with you.

Research Destinations in Advance

Before visiting a new city, identify the nearest hospital emergency room to your hotel — these always have accessible restrooms and medical staff if needed. Also locate the nearest pharmacy, grocery store and transit hub with facilities.

Tip: The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation offers a "Can't Wait" card that you can show to businesses requesting urgent restroom access. Print one from their website before your next trip.

Apps and Tools

Flush, SitOrSquat and Google Maps are your best tools for real-time restroom finding. Download them before you travel and consider using Google Maps offline mode for areas with limited cell service.

Hotel Strategy

When booking hotels, request a room near the lobby restroom or near the elevator. Rooms closer to ground-floor public facilities reduce the time needed in urgent situations. Inform hotel staff discreetly if you have specific needs.

Air Travel

For air travel, book aisle seats for easier access. During flights, note the location of the nearest lavatory immediately upon boarding. Flying during lower-gut-activity periods (morning for most IBD patients) can help.

Carry Your Kit

Pack a small emergency kit: extra medication, wipes, a change of underwear and a small deodorizing spray. Having these items reduces anxiety, which itself can trigger flares.