Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the map of the U.S. has looked like a giant, confusing patchwork quilt of laws. One day a ban is in effect; the next, a judge blocks it. It’s a lot to keep track of. Honestly, if you're trying to figure out what states have no limit on abortion, the answer isn't just about "legal" vs. "illegal." It's about "gestational limits"—basically, how far along you can be before the state says "no more."
As of early 2026, most states have some kind of cutoff. Some are super early, like six weeks. Others wait until "viability," which is usually around 24 weeks. But a small handful of places have no specific week-based limit written into their statutes.
The Short List: Where the Clock Doesn't Tick
Right now, there are nine states (plus Washington, D.C.) that do not have a specific gestational limit on the books. In these places, the law doesn't step in at 15, 20, or 24 weeks to mandate a hard stop.
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington, D.C.
Now, does this mean you can just walk into a clinic at 38 weeks for any reason? Not really. In the real world, medical ethics and the lack of providers who perform late-term procedures create their own kind of "limit." Most of these very late procedures are for extreme medical emergencies or fatal fetal anomalies.
Why Do These States Have No Limits?
It’s mostly about how the state constitutions or specific laws are written. Take Colorado, for instance. Voters there recently doubled down on reproductive freedom. In 2024, they passed Amendment 79, which basically says the government can't deny or impede the right to abortion. Because the language is so broad, there’s no "viability" cutoff.
📖 Related: Sweden School Shooting 2025: What Really Happened at Campus Risbergska
Maryland did something similar. They passed a constitutional amendment in late 2024 that enshrines "reproductive freedom." This effectively keeps the state out of the doctor's office, regardless of the month of pregnancy.
Then you have New Mexico. It’s become a massive hub for people traveling from Texas or Oklahoma. There are no gestational limits there, but the state has been fighting local "sanctuary city" ordinances that try to sneak in restrictions through the backdoor.
What Most People Get Wrong About "No Limits"
There is a huge misconception that "no limit" means a free-for-all. That's just not how medicine works.
If you're looking into what states have no limit on abortion, you've probably heard the phrase "abortion until birth." It’s a catchy political slogan, but it’s medically rare. According to the CDC, only about 1% of abortions happen after 21 weeks. When they do happen later, it’s usually because something went devastatingly wrong with the pregnancy or the person's health is at a breaking point.
👉 See also: Will Palestine Ever Be Free: What Most People Get Wrong
The Viability Factor
In about 18 other states—like California, Illinois, and New York—the limit is "viability." This is the point where a fetus could potentially survive outside the womb.
Viability isn't a fixed date. It's a medical determination. Doctors usually peg it around 24 weeks, but it varies. Once a fetus is viable, these states do allow for restrictions, though they almost always have exceptions if the mother's life or health is at risk.
The Changing Tide in Arizona and Missouri
The 2024 elections were a massive turning point. Voters in Missouri and Arizona approved constitutional amendments to protect abortion rights.
In Missouri, where abortion was almost entirely banned, the new amendment technically protects the right up to viability. However, there’s been a ton of litigation in 2025 and early 2026 to figure out which old laws (like the total ban) are now unconstitutional.
✨ Don't miss: JD Vance River Raised Controversy: What Really Happened in Ohio
Arizona is in a similar boat. While they have a 15-week limit on the books, a judge recently voiced serious doubt about whether that limit can coexist with the new constitutional right. We might see Arizona move into the "no limit" or "viability" category depending on how the state Supreme Court rules this year.
The Practical Reality of Access
Having no legal limit is one thing. Actually getting the care is another.
- Provider Availability: Very few doctors in the U.S. are trained or willing to perform abortions in the third trimester. Even in Oregon or New Jersey, you might only find one or two clinics in the entire state that can handle complex, late-stage cases.
- Cost: An abortion in the first trimester might cost $600. In the third trimester? You're looking at thousands of dollars, often not covered by insurance.
- Travel Hurdles: If you live in a "ban" state like Texas or Idaho, getting to a "no limit" state is an expensive, logistical nightmare. Some states have even tried to pass "abortion trafficking" laws to stop people from helping minors cross state lines.
What’s Next for These States?
Expect the legal battles to keep moving. Organizations like the Guttmacher Institute and KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) track these changes weekly because they move so fast.
If you are seeking care or trying to understand your rights, the most important thing is to check the current status of the state you're looking at. Maps change. Laws get stayed by courts. A "no limit" state today could have a new regulation tomorrow if a legislature finds a loophole.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check a Real-Time Tracker: Sites like AbortionFinder.org or the Center for Reproductive Rights update their maps whenever a court ruling drops.
- Verify Clinic Limits: If you're looking for care, call the clinic directly. They often have stricter cutoffs than the state law (e.g., a clinic in a "no limit" state might only provide care up to 22 weeks).
- Monitor Local Ballots: Many states are still pushing for constitutional amendments. If you live in a state with a 12 or 15-week limit, there may be a petition to move that to a viability or no-limit standard in the next election cycle.