A multicenter evaluation on the impact of non-therapeutic transfer in rural trauma

•Non-therapeutic transfers are common in rural settings, encompassing up to one-third of trauma transfers in this analysis.•Futile transfers were a small percentage of rural transfers, however they utilized a large amount of EMS and hospital resources, most commonly for severe traumatic brain injuries.•Non-therapeutic transfers resulted in EMS traveling 76 min and 70 miles to transport a patient to a receiving hospital.