10 Most Boring States to Visit
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- Counting down the 10 least interesting states for road trips. These are the most boring places to spend your limited time on a road trip and would be best avoided in favor of more interesting states. I've done more than 20 cross-country road trips and would like to share some of what I've learned through the years.
He forgot Hawaii is a pretty poor choice to visit on a road trip.
LOL! Hard to drive there.
lel
Hahahaha
AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
Road to Hana on Maui is definitely a great road trip. Tons of curves..!!!
As a central Illinois resident, I've never been so insulted by something I 100% agree with
Hey, got Paris there!
@@billolsen4360 Hey, thats fairly close to champaign, where I am
I hate living in central Illinois, take so long to go somewhere interesting. Wanna go for a hike, plan for 2 1/2 hour drive one way at least. ugh....
I drove from dallas to chicago and my god illinois is incredibly dreary
@@WilliamMohamad-uv5fi there are nice little hidden pockets, but they are scattered all over and far apart sadly.
this the type of videos my dad watches before a road trip and makes sure we go there
😀
The one state I would have to disagree with would be West Virginia. WV is a beautiful state. If you love mountains and the outdoors it's a great place to visit. The nearest mountains of any appreciable size are the Smokies or the Adirondacks. Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, cave tours, scenic train rides, civil war sites, etc. And if you're into the paranormal like I am, there are some great haunted sites as well. (WV State Penitentiary, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, the paranormal museum, etc.). The other states on this list I totally agree with.
Well, nature is beautiful everywhere. If you love nature and landscapes then every state is for you.
@@ToutCQJM go tell that to new Jersey
@@srgantmoomooogo literally anywhere south of of Bergen and Passaic
@@LrB69 south of bergen and passaic??? thats just endless concrete... newark, the oranges, all of hudson county, all the way down to the amboys lmfao... no beautiful landscapes there trust me
@@srgantmoomooo south of that
The unofficial tourist motto of Nebraska is...”If you haven’t been to Nebraska, you haven’t seen nothin’ yet.”
I have been to Nebraska. So I HAVE seen nothin'. Actually, as he points out, I was pretty well accustomed to seeing nothing, having driven across Indiana, Illinois and Iowa to get there.
When the longest river through the state is another word for "flat", Nebraska is lucky to have been ranked where it was in this video.
I live in Nebraska and was genuinely surprised that we weren't ranked higher lol
But then again, I do agree that Iowa and Kansas are MUCH more boring than Nebraska.
The official is worse “Nebraska its not for everyone “ yeah I need to move lol
@@Commander30 Nebraska was pleasant, nowhere near as dull as Kansas. Would like to go back to Omaha at some point
“You have to go through us to get somewhere better.”
-Indiana
and the people were MOSTLY awful there!
There’s more than corn in Indiana
Pretty accurate
@@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia Right, there's a huge opioid epidemic
-Indiana resident
"We're from Indiana, and...we're gonna move!" - Jim Gaffigan's proposed Indiana state sign
I completely disagree with West Virginia being on the list, but I agree with the other 9. The Allegheny Mountain region of WV is a very beautiful place with tons of outdoor activities to do from fantastic hikes, rock climbing, snow skiing, and whitewater rafting. That area of WV is well worth seeing.
Don't forget the Great Allegheny Passage and the Appalachian Trail. They converge in Harper's Ferry.
I don't agree with how high it was but, as I think about it, what state would include instead? Jersey? It has the Statue of Liberty. Connecticut? I don't know anything about Connecticut except that they used to have a hockey team with sick jerseys.
@@andrew6815 There's plenty of nice spots in CT &, believe it or not, NJ, but both pale in comparison to the beauty of WV.
100%
I loved visiting WV. I went to so many beautiful state parks there. National parks, gorgeous forests, mountains, and waterfalls. I was there for about a week and felt like I didn’t even get to see everything, and I saw a lot. The people were also really friendly. Just driving on the highways there was beautiful. So many overlooks.
Ditto, yeah he's way off on WV.
@@johni1622as an ohio resident and annual florida traveler, i hate going thru wv. It sucks! Tolls all over 77 and it takes forever to get thru. The tunnels are neat for a second, but then you realize its just like a lame version of ohio. Ohio may not have mountains but i believe it has a much more cohesive landscape that is appealing to look at (i.e. lakes, rivers, with hills and flat parts mixed in) i bet west ohio sucks to drive thru but eastern ohio is pretty scenic
I can't help but feel shocked at the pictures that were used to depict West Virginia! I lived there for many years and never saw anything like the ramshackle pictures used for this hatchet job! It certainly ISN'T exciting to drive through because so much of it is mountains and forests and you can't see the beautiful state parks or whitewater rafting from the car, but this depiction of us as a pitiful state is just ignorant.
@@austin3553 I live in Miami FL. In my opinion it seems like Florida has way more tolls than WV did. So the tolls didn't bother me. I loved all the mountains. My goal is to road trip/travel to all 50 states with my son. So far we've done 16 states by car. Haven't been to Ohio yet although I have family there. So I can't judge Ohio yet, but WV was breathtaking for sure.
@@laurawilliams2294 I've seen some of the stuff he showed in the pictures, most of that type of scenery is off the beaten path, but still is situated in some of the best scenery.
If you get off the interstate in West Virginia, you will experience roads so curvy that you can see your own tail lights ahead of you.
lol - Yes, I remember driving out to Snowshoe and WOW, were those some twisty mf'n, up and down roads! I mean, I love a nice twisty road, but that was just aggravating!
😂
🤣
West Virginia isn't as boring as he makes it out to be. He ignored the New River bridge.
@@penguinsfan251 I completely agree. Actually if there is one state where you will leave the highway and just drive the roads without doing anything, I think WV may be the one
West Virginia is one of the coolest states to drive through. Certainly would not want to live there but the state has lots of natural outdoor beauty.
It's a beautiful place if you like mountains, trees, and racism.
As a border state resident WV is good for skiing, moonshine, and looking pretty while you drive through it to get to Virginia
@@jenniferbraun7269 I like all of those things
If you are into hiking, kayaking, mountain biking etc... It is pretty cool.
On my East-to-West road trip, WV is where I actually got stuck doing fun stuff, and intend to go back now that I've been there and see what's there to do. But that's pretty good that most people disagree - more left for me to enjoy.
To me, a roadtrip isn't just about seeing famous sights, it's about discovering. The travel in itself is just as rewarding as the goal.
nothing to discover in Illinois but a few pretty parts and corn, corn, corn, a cow, corn.
edit: I dont mind rolling fields of grass with wild flowers that you'll find west of Illinois. I don't like looking a farms for 3-5 hours.
@@naturesfinest2408 As someone from regional Australia, I love driving through farmland. It looks beautiful compared to the endless bushland that we have throughout Australia.
And of course there are different sorts of not-very-interesting scenery and whatnot. I've driven through all of these (I drive through Kansas several times a year), and I'll say that, for example, driving the lesser highways through Mississippi is a lot prettier and more visually interesting than driving I-80 through Nebraska. I also have a strange affection for driving the Oklahoma panhandle when going to/from New Mexico, though the stretch between the panhandle and eastern Oklahoma is pretty forgettable.
I was amused to note that the two bits of Nebraska he likes are in opposite corners of the state. Nebraska on I-80 is "oh, Omaha is actually kind of cool!", then "oh, Lincoln is ... not that bad!" an hour later, then "good lord will this never end" for the rest of your natural existence. (Though Nebraska honestly isn't as bad as eastern Colorado on I-70, which is *agonizing*.)
Drove from NC to UT a few weeks ago and I’ll be honest, Kansas was awesome!! The flint hills in the eastern part of the state were just so beautiful. Looking out and seeing nothing but peace and quiet. I loved it, I even stopped at a gas station with my buddy and we both got $5 matching Kansas heartland shirts. 10/10 would drive through again
Staying off the Interstate is the best way to see interesting things anywhere.
Staying off the Interstate is the best way to not get to where you're going. Never get off the highway!
@@1pcfred if you don’t like having fun I guess
@@thebigstink7472 not everyone has the same definition of fun. My idea of fun is getting where I am going.
@@1pcfred ever heard of "its about the journey not the destination?" I completely understand and agree if it's for business or urgent, however I don't see how always pretending were in a rush helps anything but cause distracted driving and more traffic
@@TheFonzieProductions while it may be about the journey and not the destination we are supposed to at least pretend it is about the destination or it does not work. And if you do it right it can really be about the destinations too.
Oklahoma isn’t too bad, sometimes we get enough cow dung to fling at one another.
Hint, Penny says Cow Tipping encourages dung production. Warning sexist joke coming:- How are Girls and cow dung similar? The older the get, the easier it is to pick them up!
@@qualicumwilson5168 that’s not even sexist it’s just true😭
@@qualicumwilson5168 ...the state sport of Wisconsin.
Oklahoma is about 30% forested actually
As far as I am concerned, eastern Oklahoma is one of the greatest places on earth! It smells great, it looks great, and is great! This is coming from an east coast suburban boy
As others have said, the best way to see the plains states is to stay off the interstate. An interstate being a road of quick travel will naturally follow the paths of least resistance, so for example, in Nebraska, you are following the Platte River, which CAN be pretty, but for much of the journey it's beyond the view of the interstate. The northern half of the state may seem desolate, but it's beautiful if you like to look upon the horizon and see the hundreds of rolling hills. And sometimes, the best views you get upon the plains aren't around you, you have to look up! The vast open sky seems painted and you can get lost in it.
Trust me no one knows how Nebraska actually looks like.
@@apexkiller66-94, This guy sure doesn’t seem to know it. I’ve listened to people whining about I-80 across Nebraska my whole life. That’s alright, keep driving it and whining about it.
The older I get the more "boring" I like it. I retired to Kansas, though I was raised in Virginia (yes, a woman was involved). When I have family come out, they can't believe how quickly they can drive completely through Wichita, and such little traffic. What they are really impressed with is the hospitality of the people they come in contact with. So, all in all, if you just wanna drive and sightsee, you'd probably choose another state. On the other hand if you want a great place to live and work, with low cost of living...consider one of the boring states. Keep in mind - like the folks in ND say, the cold weather and "boring" state keeps the riff-raff out.
Broke down in Kansas, met nothing but friendly & helpful people. Might be boring to look at, but good people go a long way.
You bet. I believe it the helpful farmer mentality.@@chizorama
Last year, Nebraska's tourism office tried the advertising slogan: "Nebraska--honestly, it's not for everyone."
Well at least Nebraska isn’t Iowa
Iowa---gateway to---Nebraska!
Lol thats well said
@@davidlarson9125 The drive through Iowa and Nebraska suckkkkksssssss.
Iowa is pretty much the same all the way through. I grew up in Nebraska and the drive through Nebraska changes very gradually from wet (east) to dry (west) and the scenery changes with it. But at least it changes. I've always said nobody would notice this unless they were traveling at 1,000 miles an hour.
Back in the 70s my parents use to take us on some epic road trips. I remember rolling west across Kansas bored to tears thinking it would never end. The only saving grace was I knew we were headed to Colorado and the mountains. To this day I still recall the exact moment we passed the Welcome to Colorado sign and I discovered that Colorado is not just a mountain state....
You can usually see Pikes Peak on the horizon about when you get to Limon…….it gives you hope. 😉😄
Yeah, just drove through KS with my sisters from Pgh to CA. Wow. Talk about boring! I already knew that about a third of CO was flat like KS. But you can see mountains ahead!
Yeah the mountains was where the snow was still packed on top of the peaks, Ponderosa forests, lots of bears, elk, cougars, bobcat,,,lol
Yeah... everything east of Calhan, CO is basically Kansas. If you don't like Kansas, you won't like east Colorado, that's for sure. You can at least see mountains for a lot of it, but if the air quality isn't great, you can't even see Pikes Peak until you're pretty close to Colorado Springs. Found that out when I drove from Goodland, Kansas to Colorado Springs, CO once.
Yeah agree.
I've always been fascinated with the Panhandle of Oklahoma... the idea being in a part of the county which was once labeled as "No Man's Land" holds a certain mystique!
If you've never been, GO! I took a road trip and visited all the state parks in the area including the Black Mesa at the western most point. Truly one of the best vacations I've ever taken. It is a geological wonder, with mountains, flat lands, cayons, rivers, etc. The 8 mile round trip hike up the back mesa (moderate with one strenous 1 mile section but still doable) ranks as one of the most scenic hikes I have ever taken, and I have hiked all over this country. At the top you can see hundreds of miles into Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma. But go there in the winter or late fall/early spring. The rest of the year it'll be too hot. Also expect very few or no amenities for tourists because it truly is still a no man's land. Cell phone coverage is also very spotty there.
@@mark-briansonna7670, so I heard that there are some scary meth labs/people in that area. Have you heard this?
@@msannthropic7661 No. This area of the country is very desolate. Most of the few and far between towns have less than 500 people. Seera that are the map are actually almost ghost towns. The few people I ran across at gas stations and the motels I stayed at were very friendly. Keep in mind there are VERY few motels, gas stations, and barely any restaurants either in this whole region. It is a poorer region of the country, but not scary poor like in places in Mississipi, Louisiana, or Texas (where I reside). Not for a moment did I feel unsafe the entire week I was there exploring. The only thoght that crossed my mind was "I am very much out here on my own in the middle of owhere and miles away from the next town on the map that may or may not have a gas station so I better fill up my car even though it's only 1/2 empty."
God himself hates oklahoma, texass both north and south dakotas and arkansas.
Any hot chicks there?
My Kansas story: I was on a trip wandering from Southern California to Maine and back. I wanted to get a cashier's check to pay a speeding ticket I got west of Amarillo. (My bad.) I pulled into Wichita and went to the nearly-deserted downtown looking for a bank. The first one I stopped at, the clerk said, "Oh, you'll have to go to a BIG bank for that." I went to the one he had pointed toward and told them what I wanted. They balked at taking my check or debit card and didn't want to call my bank. I said, "Okay, you won't accept my debit card, but your ATM will, so I'll get the cash from there to cover the cashier's check." They looked at me like that would be illegal or something, but agreed it would work. After that was taken care of I asked for directions to I-35 north. "Ummmmmm... Sally, do you know how to get to 35?" "Where?" "The highway to Kansas City," I replied. "Oh, um, Bill, how can this fellow get to Kansas City? "Oh, um..." "Forget it," I said, "I'll just figure it out on the map." (pre-GPS days) I decided people live in Wichita because they don't know how to leave.
Alabama's new state motto: "Hey, at least we're not Mississippi".
True
Or Kansas.
My mom lives in Alabama and we were making this exact joke the other day lol
It really is a step up from Mississippi. Alabama is cleaner and seems more friendly.
"_____ days without a tornado." (Originally from a Simpson's episode) Or "Without Birmingham we'd be Mississippi."
As someone who has had the misfortune of driving through Kansas multiple times, I recommend doing it overnight. You can't see the scenery not changing at night.
Agreed
So true
Cresting the bluffs along I 70 in central Kansas amongst "Amber waves of grain" is great
I disagree. Having driven through every state in America, the rural beauty of Kansas is unmatched during my drive on I-70. I see roads heading to "nowhere" on either side of I-70 and love the look of big America. I long to stop and see where they lead, knowing fully well they go on forever from one farm to another. But remember that boring America is also the breadbasket of America. Show some respect!
@@vipahman alot of those lead to museums,Wizard of Oz,Largest PrairieDog,Barbed Wire Capital,oldest hamburger stool restaurant.
A number of years ago, I took a road trip from California to Dodge City, Kansas. Of the many road trips I've taken, it was one of the more memorable ones I've taken. I spent a few days there, and really enjoyed it. The other things I found and saw along the way would also likely not make your list of worthwhile things to see, but some of them are hidden gems that are quite enjoyable (for me, at least) and would be missed otherwise.
We visited the Front Street museum in Dodge City, and it was a great place to see. We also visited the Wright Park Zoo while we were there, and although it was very small, it was great for my kids when they were young because we could get up close to nearly everything there.
For me, it was a great trip, and one I'll likely remember the rest of my life.
I highly recommend googling Roadside America for the state(s) you're passing through. So many interesting, cool and eclectic attractions that most people unknowingly just breeze by. If you're not strapped for time, stay off the interstates. Travel slow, explore around small towns, go into a local watering hole for a conversation and a drink, etc. Those are the memories I like to make and the adventures I like to have.
Man, I’m not even from West Virginia but his roasting them literally made me say “damn” out loud.
And it’s totally wrong. It’s the same lazy journalism that would typically come from Washington or the Northeast.
I'll agree with everything but West Virginia, the nature there is gorgeous
yeah I would have put in South Dakota instead of West Virginia.
Lots of hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, great whitewater rafting.
@@edwardrhoads7283 South Dakota has Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore I suppose. West Virginia has some pretty roads. I did hike to the top of Spruce Knob, but it's a pretty easy hike for someone who grew up out West like me. I just wanted to see some sort of hill/mountain, I was stationed in Norfolk, and after a while the flat terrain gets to me. LOL. I'm grew up in a valley with mountains surrounding it.
maybe not the stops but even the interstates are beautiful drives. I-64 from VA-Charleston is freaking beautiful especially at sunset. I-79 is one of the nicest north-south interstates. US 50 west of Clarksburg is crazy fun if you have a hot hatch.
I came here to say this.
There’s a sublime beauty in the plains of Kansas that is like looking out on the ocean. Watching the weather move across the sky and the wind ripple over the tall grass are fond memories from my childhood. Nonetheless, I would have been disappointed if it wasn’t ranked number one.
William Heat Moon's 'PrairyErth' does an excellent job of capturing
the particular beauty of our nation's surviving Seas of Grass.
An optimist and a realist all in one!
Driving west across Kansas, chasing the summer sunset with thunderclouds and lightning in the distance--that's quite an experience. I was lucky enough to do that more than once! But yes, I'm not too surprised that Kansas is ranked so high.
Wow that's how I describe kansas; it's like being in the middle of the ocean
Love driving through Kansas. There is something very peaceful about it.
Southern Illinois is actually insanely beautiful from a nature perspective. I reccomend going to giant city state park, garden of the gods, little Grand Canyon and hole in rock right on the Ohio river. In northern Illinois Starved Rock State park is incredible and only an hour and half from Chicago
Agree illinois should not be on the list I'd replace it with Arkansas seriously arkansas is super boring
@@michaelsuzio4364 Arkansas is lowkey pretty too! I highly reccomend going to the ozark national forest some beautiful scenery there especially mount magazine and petite jean state park! But illinois does have some hidden gems too it's a toss up for me
@@williamborland3106 ozarks in missouri are way more interesting to me than arkansas
@@michaelsuzio4364 the ozarks are in both states. Worth checking out in Arkansas
I live in IL and I’ve legit never heard of Giant City. Granted I’m less then an hour from the WI border but it does look amazing, might have to make the 5 1/2 hour trek down state lol
I had to giggle at your parting words about New Jersey. I grew up there and fully expected it to be on this list although there are some really nice places. I haven’t lived there in over 40 years with the exception of one year and then going back for class reunions a few times. I hiked the Delaware Water Gap, enjoyed the history of Trenton and Washington’s Crossing State Park and the South Jersey shore and Cape May. It will always be “home” although I no longer have family there. I really enjoy your videos and look forward to seeing them.
Me too left nj in 77 always was defending her, but so crowded
I-O-W-A: "I Oughta Went Around"
I live in Omaha which is right across the river from Iowa. We always thought Iowa stood for "I Owe the World an Apology" or "Idiots Out Wandering Around."
@@automaticmattywhack1470 We always say the trees in Iowa lean West because Nebraska sucks.
@@jimrob4 I'll remember that if you remember next time you're "In Omaha Without Approval."
I could skip Nevada too. I really wish I could skip driving through Nevada.
@@celestepalm6949 Nevada? Really? You got Vegas, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, Lake Meade, Parts of Lake Tahoe, Reno, Ruby Mountains, Great Basin National Park, Cathedral Gorge, Virginia City, I could go on!!
West Virginia has some pretty scenery
A LOT of great scenery. I disagree with his ranking.
yeah, of all the adjectives i've heard people use to describe West Virginia, this is the first time i've heard it called "bland."
but he's not wrong if you're strictly speaking from the perspective of someone looking to take a roadtrip. this is not a state you drive through for pleasure (except maybe bikers). the roads are bad and curvy, amenities are lacking, and we have no major cities. when someone visits, they need to come here with a purpose. and 99 times out of 100 that purpose is to be outside, engaging with nature, not looking for tourist traps.
There's Deep Creek Lake as well, which is between Maryland and West Virginia
@@howardcitizen2471 Agreed. I love the mountains.
Deep Creek is entirely in Maryland. It's one of the main tourist attractions in my area.
I drove from california to Boston and driving through Kansas was one of the best parts of the whole trip.
If you’ve been in a drought for twenty years, you will be delighted by the miracle of HOURS of rolling green hills. Long, dark grass rippling in the wind.
Healed my soul.
Everyone should drive out of their way to check out Dubuque Iowa. It’s a hidden gem with incredible 1900s architecture. The downtown is like going back in time and everything is looks new. I passed through last fall and all I could say was “wow.” Then head north up to Hastings Minnesota on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River and check out the driftless region. Some of the most spectacular bluffs you’ll ever see. Kings and Queens bluff is an awesome hike up to the razor edge. I’ve driven all over this country and that stretch is one of my favorites…it feels like you’re driving through New England.
"I'm not sure what the top tourist attraction is in the state"
Truck stop...and yes i'm being serious lol
Yeah
I live up in the Iowa great lakes, and it even gets boring here sometimes
in I-80's defense, it at least has a little museum attached to it.
Stopped there and done all my Christmas shopping while driving through Iowa on Christmas day. Really cool spot I gotta say
Field of dreams ig?
i'm like 30 minutes from the truck stop lol. pretty cool place actually
The most boring state is being in a coma.
In 2020? Doesn’t sound that bad hehe
Oklacoma?
LOL
So Nebraska...
@@vagabondroller LOL 😸👍
I have to say that Omaha is the nicest city in the midwest. It's definitely worth a 1 day visit.
Indiana has a top 3 wooden roller coaster at Holiday World, which is worth a day if passing through southern Indiana.
Omaha has a first rate zoo!
Des Moines would like a word with you
When I as a UK resident think of a US Road Trip, the saying 'west is best' immediately comes to mind. The terrain, the natural wonders, the giant vista's etc are just made for road trips!
I'm personally a fan of seeing "Nothing". That means its unoccupied by humans and that makes for the most peaceful and beautiful scenery there is
But the “nothing” of mountains, lakes, forests, and oceans is objectively more interesting than the “nothing” of a wheat field
@@amog849 I’d have to disagree. I personally love vast, open flatlands. Something about the way the wind sweeps across them and just makes you feel so present. Plus, cars like flatlands a little better than mountains anyway (just ask the smoke coming from my hood on Teton Pass)
No problem. Just take the title of this video, scratch out Worst and put in Best
I agree. The fewer humans I see on my adventures the better. Most people will travel to popular tourist destinations. So for those who enjoy the back road adventures a lot of the nothingness places are actually pretty cool
That's why I would love to drive the Road to Nowhere which I think is US 83 which travels from Canada to Mexico through the plains states and traverses no major cities (Pierre may be the largest)
I’m from Indiana but I have to defend West Virginia. It has amazing scenery, parks and scenic drives
It seems like he focuses on cities and the cultural aspects of places rather than the landscapes and recreation. WV's cities and towns really are depressing, bit the landscape is some of the best in the country. If you enjoy outdoor recreation it's a must-visit. Monongahela, Dolly Sods, New River Gorge, etc.
West virginia is easily in the top 5 most boring
this guy strikes me as an outdoorsy type that likes to camp so I'm kind of shocked he included West Virginia.
My family members live both in those states
You can be honest, you are actually from West Virginia.
As I travel around the county I often wonder just how a given city was originally founded. In the west, for example, many cities were created at mining sites. Other cities are located at railroad intersections or ports. Others I can't for the life of me figure out why people started to congregate there. Maybe you could do a video on why some cities exist. Thanks. I enjoy your videos.
West Virginia is one of my favorite places to go on trips and road trips!! there are amazing places to hike/camp!!! New river gorge, Dolly Sods, North Fork Mountain, Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks are all GORGEOUS
West Virginia is beautiful. It is so forested with mountains it is a sight to behold. The nature lover would love West Virginia.
I'm from Michigan and have driven through West Virginia several times on I-77 on my way to visit family in South Carolina. I love the mountain scenery there, it's breathtakingly beautiful.
I have to agree. I live in Indiana and I'm from North Carolina originally with family still residing there so I have made that trip through West Virginia many times over. We make quite a few side trips when we are there. I can't say that I'm in love with the towns there although we frequently stop in Charleston and have enjoyed that. If you love nature and beautiful scenery, WV has a lot to offer.
I agree. I have driven from south Louisiana to West Virginia twice and I have never seen more beautiful landscape than West Virginia. It is breathtaking! Not a flat piece of land anywhere!
If any state has had a song written about it, it must have some redeeming qualities.
true. it's one of the best states for hikers in the east. but this geography king dude doesn't look like he hikes anywhere aside from the buffet table.
I've been through west Virginia once on a road trip to myrtle beach and we went during the night and that night was the first time I got to see the milky way
We used to turn left and take the PA turnpike and eventually wind up on i-95, going to Myrtle Beach, but the WV route south is much nicer, less busy and probably faster.
... and that's why living in the West is better!
I've seen it in downstate Illinois, Michigan, and Kentucky. I'd like to see WV though because of the nature
WV is basically the only dark sky location on the East Coast :)
Oh, so you got abducted by aliens? Story time! Story time! 😉
While driving several hundred miles South on interstate 95, I was getting excited by the thought of stopping by Stone Mountain, Georgia(hometown of a famous wrestler). When i saw that it was 90 miles of the highway i was like "I'll pass"! In other news, a friend vacationing in Florida told me of a road trip his host took him on to Daytona international speedway.... "orange grove, orange grove, orange grove... tar paper shack.---" "orange grove, orange grove, orange grove... tar paper shack.---" "orange grove, orange grove, orange grove... tar paper shack.---"
I am a trucker and in 5 months in 2018, I visited 38 states. I’m from California. I have to say the worst state I saw was actually NEVADA . Nevada is Las Vegas.. but you get out of Vegas and it’s literally just dirt sand and desert. That sucks.
On the other hand thr most beautiful state I saw was New Hampshire !
To each their own I guess. I find the empty desert one of the coolest places ever
Luis Ramos- Then you didn't really see Nevada at all. The Ruby Mountains & Great Basin NP, are breath taking. I loved visiting Hoover Dam and taking the dam tour. There's some really enchanting places in the desert 🏜 there too. Las Vegas is not my cup of tea though. But I couldn't believe that Nevada had green lush Alpine Forests in the Ruby Mountains, really worth the drive if you're going to Oregon or Utah.
The New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia is worthy getting off the road to see before crossing it.
This, 1000%.
New River Gorge National Park is gorgeous!
I've been driving cross-country for 35 years, on just about every back road and dirt road and interstate there is, and I'll go ahead and say that your list is not off base. In fact, your top 5 and my top 5 match perfectly. Iowa and Kansas... I mean, how much corn can one person take? :D
According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, about 1,500lbs. per person, per year on average.
@@mr.osclasses5054 Good to know. But I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Kansas STILL has too much corn. I mean did NO ONE in the state ever stop and say, "hey, you know what would be nice? How 'bout some flippin' potatoes or beans once in a while?" :D
@@denisweimer8791 I have a friend from KS whose uncle is a farmer and he grows all types of stuff. As I'm to understand it, it is largely the mega-farm conglomerates who grow the corn since they can sell it overseas either as feed for livestock or as actual food for people. That said, there seriously is a massive glut of corn in the middle of this country!
@@mr.osclasses5054 A lot of it is for corn ethanol. Seeing as both the U.S. and Canada have mandates for adding it to gasoline. Us more than them I believe.
@@jimmym3352 Good point! I totally forgot about that aspect.
My favorite things about Oklahoma besides okc and Tulsa is the outdoor aspect of it, we have the best fishing in the nation according to people out of state I’ve talked to. I’m from the Eastern part of the state and it’s so beautiful, spring creeks, rivers, lakes and forests. Plus it makes me happy that the native population is prominent. I hate going out of state and everyone assuming I’m Hispanic, it’s nice going into the store and seeing fellow First Nation peoples. But other than that Tulsa is fun the music scene and culture is amazing. It’s growing fast. I wouldn’t say it’s the most fun state in the nation but it’s a lot better than the video gives it credit for. That being said I enjoy your content and insight keep it up man 👍🏾
I loved driving through Mississippi on my road trip! As a blues music fan from England finding Robert Johnson’s grave - one of two he has! - was of great interest. I also liked Clarksdale, another place steeped in Blues music legend. Also came across the ruins of the Bryant Grocery Store, and learned the horrific history associated with it. Then you’ve got the legendary blues Highway 61 to drive up to Memphis on… I mean the song lyrics just keep coming into your head every few miles… then there’s Hazelhurst which has a Robert Johnson museum in the train station waiting room, how cool is that?! There’s McComb, the birthplace of ‘the originator’ Bo Diddley, which also has a neat little railroad museum well worth a visit. I found both Mississippi and Alabamny absolutely fascinating places to visit!
The thing is, you're talking about a Blues tour, not a road trip. Mississippi is great if you are a blues fan and want that whole experience and history. A road trip is all about great scenery and interesting and quaint towns and cities.
@@martha3445 The Mississippi leg of my road trip was just that… a small but (for me anyway) fascinating section of a fairly long journey that over a three week period took in Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, St Augustine, Tallahassee, Mobile, Biloxi, New Orleans, Natchez, Baton Rouge, then North through Mississippi to Memphis, on to Nutbush (which is basically just a crossroads!) then Jackson, Nashville, Chattanooga before arriving back in Atlanta for my flight home. I’ve done six US road trips in all, and can honestly say they were the best vacations I ever had… the sheer physical beauty of the country is breathtaking, and the way the National Parks are maintained is absolutely first class. Walking around the various cities I passed through was also really interesting and provided many great photo ops with Muffler Men & women, wonderful old buildings & often great waterfront / riverfront areas.
To save money on car hire it’s usual for me to plan a circular route that comes back to where I started from, the only time I couldn’t do that was when I did Route 66 Chicago to LA & it cost me about $500 just to leave the rental at LAX.
The two loveliest cities in Mississippi are Natchez and Oxford!
@@martha3445 Natchez and Oxford are the loveliest cities in the state!
I grew up in MS, and so haven’t really done so much actual touring around the state. However I have collected some of the weirdest experiences in my life from visiting Natchez.
"And you got Montgomery [Ala], just skip it."
As a former resident of Montgomery, I can affirm this advice, I should have heeded it before moving there!
Know why people from illinois have beady little eyes?
It's so flat, when your dog runs away, you can watch him for the first 3 days.
Southern Illinois is not flat. The bottom third is very hilly and the Little Grand Canyon is pretty neat.
LMAO
In the northwestern part of the state is the Galena territory it is also referred to as the drift less area an area that the glaciers didn't flatten the land. It is very hilly and is where wealthy Chicagoan's have their getaway house's. I've often heard but have never been to is southern Illinois, I have heard it is very hilly and is a part of the Ozarks.
Having grown up in North Central Indiana the western burbs seem hilly to me. And yeah Galena and the places along the Mississippi have some decent hills.
I've lived my entire life in the Las Vegas Valley, hills are still flat compared to a mountain range.
I agree, there isn't anything HUGELY captivating about Oklahoma, but I like it for the little things that still make it interesting. Even considering it's marshes, forests, mountains, plains, rocky desert, and sandy desert all in the same state is itself pretty interesting(to me). Can't think of another state with both alligators and deserts.
Agreed, but we kinda like it like that. We don't get the refugee influx from Cali like Texas does 😂. And he couldn't be more right about Tulsa. 😴😴😴😴😴
The only tourist attraction I know of in Iowa is the gigantic truck stop off of I-80. It's still more than what Nebraska had when we drove through both states to get to Denver.
There is lots of hiking, fishing, and white water rafting in WV.
This guy obviously doesn't do outdoor activities. His reviews are all about cities and their attractions. I like his videos, but I disagree.
@@coleslaw3422 actually, he does all that stuff in Spades. He's a caver, he has photos of himself doing all kinds of activities LOL. Don't hate on the guy just because West Virginia's absolute trash
@@chiarosuburekeni9325 Then he's just as ignorant as you. WV has tons of that stuff, including caving. That's its most redeeming quality.
@@coleslaw3422 He said multiple times in the video that it's not that these states don't have things to do or aren't pretty, just that the country is just too big to see it all if you're looking to do a road trip. There are plenty of other states that you can do the same things/see similar sights that are just more exciting and have even more things to do and see.
@@fandomshark while that does apply to WV, there are other states in this video that should be way higher on the list than it
Don’t come to Kansas because you want something to do. Come because you don’t. Come to enjoy a getaway that will truly disconnect you from society in a way the mountains or beaches can’t. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Here! Here! I love Kansas!
We visited Hays just to be there. The museum with the animated dinosaurs is fun, but once is enough. More than enough!
I used to live in Wichita most of my life and let me tell you, if ppl knew what there was there, they would have fun! There’s the keeper of the plains and the museums on the river
Sure, if you want to get away from beautiful scenery and interesting destinations.
Damn you really got hurt by this huh?
Just got back from Nebraska and Kansas. The endless crop fields and grasslands are actually very stunning. We saw tornadoes forming and lightnings flashed every five seconds right in front of our eyes. Lincoln is a very charming capital and Omaha is surprisingly cool. Homestead National Historical Park documents a very important chapter of US history. The Wizard of Oz Museum is a nice icing especially if you like literature and movies and if you have little kids. Abilene is the hometown of Eisenhower, who is my favorite president, and has his presidential library there. Wichita is one of the aviation and aerospace capitals of the country, and it did not disappoint. These are just a few interesting sites, but there are so much more.
I went across country with some friends years ago. I fell asleep in Nebraska and woke up 4 hours later in Nebraska and the road look EXACTLY the same as before I closed my eyes. And I think it was the first state heading East to West where I saw towns that were literal intersections.
I thought West Virginia was absolutely beautiful.
I have family in West Virginia, it’s pretty, but there is not much to do.
Where are you from, though? LIke, you probably don't get out too much and stuff.
I remember going through WV in '76, the toll road prices and sales tax were reason enough for me to promise myself to never go back again.
@@akallio9000 How much were they?
@@alukuhito I don't remember exactly, it was like 45 years ago, but I remember buying a can of soda and it was about double the price of a soda in NC, and there was some sort of stamp on the can indicating the tax had been paid.
"It's a nice place to live, but I wouldn't want to visit there"
-- most of these states
Ehh
Iowa and Omaha seem decent the rest aren't really all that exciting (I live in OK)
Nice list, yeah Illinois going due south from Wisconsin, is like spending hours shuffling in the driver's seat to re-arrange your backside to check to see if you are dead, or not.
amazing info!! i wished i new a lot of this stuff last year while rving thru a lot of these states. thanks a lot!!
I have to agree with the majority of this video. Also, a shout-out to our awesome farmers in this country, many of whom work in these states. Thank you SO much for all you do. You deserve much respect and appreciation. 🇺🇸
omg west virginia, i disagree! its a gorgeous state, the natural beauty is amazing
Agreed! You don’t even have to stop, just drive thru and be amazed!
WV has natural beauty but it would fall lower than almost every western state, every coastal state and New England’s natural beauty easily tops it.
My favorite video of yours, i like how straight you played it.
As a full time RVer, we deliberately spent 3 weeks in Kansas and we were amazed. Manhattan had a great museum with the history of Lecompton close by. Also great museums in Wichita and great waterfront bike trail.
Hutchinson was great with the Space Museum and the salt mine (650 ft below ground) tour. Dodge City - good history - but too much devoted to TV show Gunsmoke. Oakley was fabulous- with the Buffalo Bill musuem and monument rocks (cross between NPs in Utah and Badlands of SD). I am so glad we did not miss it.
Cool
Just so much nope. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit....bet you've never been back....and if you have, I just happen to have a house for sale in the pretty part in northeast kansas.
I'm escaping asap
@@VeeTNABerney 💀
As a Kansan, thanks!!! If you are in Abilene try the Seelye mansion, I recommend it. The daughters of the rich guy who built it were the same age as a family from across the tracks, and advised not to associate with the Eisenhower boys, as they would ammount to nothing.
I'm surprised that he failed to mention Harper's Ferry in West Virginia. A very cool area to visit.
That's exactly what I was thinking, I love Harper's Ferry, what a great place.
Agreed! So cool history. Perfect for Civil War road trip or Railroader’s road trip or any road trip, easy to put on your itinerary.
Also love the outdoorsy stuff in that area. Whitewater rafting on the Potomac and the intersection of the Appalachian Trail
The New River Gorge also deserved a mention.
@@vantastic9367 yes, the north Potomac River beautiful and full of Revolution era history throughout the area.
The best thing about Kansas is Kansas City, and that’s mostly Missouri.
The best suburbs are on the Kansas side.
@@willp.8120 nah
As someone living on the kansas side I consider Missouri a territory not a state
The Flint hills area of Kansas is beautiful. You get out past Salina heading west and there is nothing till Denver.
@@daturtlez I'll be deep in the cold cold ground before I recognize Missoura!
I love how I’m learning more about these states and getting interested in them because of this video
Ok, as a native Iowan, I must defend. Iowa does have scenic byways (Grant Wood), and the Iowa 80 truck stop. Agree, no show stoppers, but certainly better than Nebraska. Iowa has stuff to break up the monotony.
Seriously? Iowa 80. That's what you came up with? A dirty gas station full of hookers is the highlight of a trip to Iowa?
Driving from the Kansas side of Colorado and through Nebraska in a whole day makes Iowa seem like Alaska in comparison. Like "wow finally, some hills, and the hilly farmland and rainy weather looks beautiful".
I remember driving from Colorado to Kansas, and then from Kansas through Nebraska, on my way to Vermillion, South Dakota. I went through a town in Nebraska where Johnny Carson was from. I didn’t see much other than wheat fields. But I remember stopping for a bite to eat and seeing farmers sitting around in a diner drinking coffee and looking pretty happy and content with life. These places may be boring but they are filled with good, hard-working Americans. I only spent three months in Vermilion, attending USD, but I think the Midwest is great.
This one time 4 years ago my parents decided to drive our family from freaking Colorado to Florida. On the way we drove all the way across Kansas to get to Missouri, and I can tell you I have been so bored with scenery in my whole life. Even worse than Wyoming
Vermillion is a lovely little town. Why did you stay there only 3 months?
yeah,they are not stressed with big city problems!
@@lilbiscuit5825 I'm not saying they're super exciting to drive through...because I agree...they're not, but seeing the grassland/prairie states from the big highways is the worst. Prairies and grasslands are actually quite pretty if you stop and spend a little time in them (or take some smaller roads).
@@fandomshark I guess maybe I just went at a time when everything was dead and not pretty
That moment when he finally mentions your state, but doesn’t like it:
Mine was number 4
@@ahuasltlianm I’m an alabamian
@@alexilonopoulos3165 I like your state, too bad everyone makes fun of Alabama
It’s alright, I’ve been through phenix city and euphala. Always the same route from north GA to the Panama City FL area every year so a good 3-4 hours through Alabama
I like Gulf Shore in December. Almost no crowd decent weather (a lot better than December in Indiana).
Man, I was so nervous that Iowa was gonna be number one. 😢 Greetings from Dubuque, Iowa. 😢
Drove right through Illinois from Wisconsin back to Georgia today. I 100% agree with your view on Illinois
I disagree about West Virginia. It's very scenic and Harpers Ferry is a must-see for history buffs.
Berkeley Springs, WV, the nation’s first spa town, is a stunner one-day trip of camping, mineral baths, massage, antiquing, and surprisingly decent eating!
I like Berkeley Springs. Anytime I pass by, I always pit stop to walk around and restock my water with fresh spring water.
What about White Sulphur Springs with its Greenbrier? That's one of the premier resorts in the world!
@@FlipsyFiona be careful, that water is chlorinated
Is the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene, KS still worth the effort? I was there way back in '65.
GK, I love your videos and often watch them over again as i have with this one. While i think you provide excellent info for road trips it has occurred to me with this viewing that my interest in road tripping probably has more to do with the people i meet along the way than the scenery or urban experiences to be had. With that in mind i highly recommend Nebraska and Iowa for breakfast with heartlanders. Mississippi for meeting folks whose families have endured centuries of hardship in the Delta, West Virginia for people with a deep sense of pride and ties to land they will not leave even though staying means they will also be overlooked and forgotten. Never been to Oklahoma but would surely stop a while to talk to folks who know a thing or two of how geopgraphy can build resilience.
I agree with you for sure. But this particular video was geared more for once-in-a-lifetime road trips where people only have 2 weeks and want to see as much as possible in a short time span. It's kinda strange to think now but this channel was originally almost entirely about road tripping and short-trip travel.
@@GeographyKing I for one are glad you expanded- I just shared your facts about Texas to my bff and fellow New Englander who has lived in Houston the past 20 years. There's always something new to learn!
Have to disagree on WV... some nice state parks (headlined by Pipestem), rafting & kayaking on the Gauley and New Rivers, and Civil War battlefields to name just a few reasons why this state is worth visiting.
But he is talking about things worth going out of your way for. Every state has parks.
@@Aint_no_senators_son “state parks”... with cabins/lodges/golf courses/aerial trams, etc
rafting and kayaking...is that where deliverance took place?...NO THANKS..hahaha
Nebraska: "It's not the end of the earth, but you can see it from here."
Nebraska sounds like a really relaxing place for someone who lives in New Yorker City.
Agreed!
Someone's never heard of the sandhills.
Wow thanks for not automatically listing all the desert states as boring. I totally agree with your list.
Great video and thank you for posting this. It's about time a "least" interesting states" video was done. Too often those that make the best states video's just focus on states with the least crime and the lowest prices which usually means the states that "never had a boom era" which attract's a lot of people which in turned causes a lot of problems in the largest cities of states that have some of the best scenery in the country.
I-70 runs for 440 miles across Kansas. Straight as an arrow for most of it. You’ll need some serious caffeine to stay awake.
Or drive 120 MPH and only slowing down to 75 when a cop is spotted!
The thing is that Kansas is way more pretty off the Highway
What nobody mentions is that half of Colorado is basically Kansas continued. So if you're going to Denver, it's more like 700 miles than 440
@@ralphjames1211 found the cannonball runner
I-39 from Rockford to Bloomington is straight as an arrow also.
As a Kansan, I'm just glad you didn't forget about us! Thanks!
What part of Kansas
@@stephen_cs T town representin!
I used to have a job that had .e traveling all the time. I've worked in Kansas. Most people treated me very well...except the people in Great Bend
I've traveled all over the US many times and have found something interesting about every state although I've had to look harder in some states than others. Lol. Monument Rocks in Kansas, tulip festival in Iowa, Babcock State Park in WV, and the list goes on. I love to travel and find those hidden gems. 🙂
The Oklahoma panhandle is really awesome and there is black Mesa a fun hike and it knocks out a high point if your into that sort of thing
In the Anesthesia professions we have a saying, "Boring is good!" We don't want any excitement.
have heard airline pilots say that also.
As a PACU RN I agree! We love that boring!
WV has New River Gorge, America’s newest national park. Particularly the new river gorge bridge. Very much worth seeing.
Can you please tell me where you got that piecewise map behind you? It is sweet.
I recently did a "Dixie Tour" flying into and out of Atlanta, making the circle tour through the southern states. I won't bore you with my itinerary (12 days) but I wanted to visit some of the Civil Rights sites featured in the news during the 60s. I was not disappointed. Birmingham, Montgomery, Little Rock and Jackson were very worthwhile. I "checked off" a national park, five state houses, a couple of civil war historical sites, enjoyed New Orleans beignets, and finished my "visit all 50 states list." I see what you are saying about boring but sometimes it depends on your goal. I am happy with meeting my goal. (Thanks for alleviating my guilt for not spending more time in Illinois and Indiana.)
Love your videos. Thanks!
As a West Virginia local I do agree partially with what you said, the nature here is beautiful but if you’re not an outdoorsy person then there isn’t a lot to do.
But your state has some nice 🎿 Resorts!
The way WV is drawn up is interesting though. Take that sliver between Ohio and PA. Also the piece between MD and VA. I drove to VA on I-81 many years ago pre-GPS and was shocked that I passed through WV for 15 minutes. You think of it as sort of a honorable mention midwest state it was oddly cool that I got drive through it. Wouldn't go out of my way to visit again but the state can be oddly interesting in some ways.
I don’t get how he called WV so bad while it has Harpers Ferry, Blackwater Falls, and tons of natural beauty. I think he’s just focused on cities near the interstate.
Idk, Charleston looks pretty decent.
@@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime too many drugs and ghettos there
Kansas is definitely worth the trip. The Worlds largest ball of twine is there. Cawker City, KS. Its only a 5 hour detour off the interstate, but its worth it. The city around it is half abandoned and its surrounded by hours of nothing. Still the size of the twine ball will blow your mind. There is a nice pavilion and benches around it to sit and ponder its existence and your own....
For those of you who are not familiar with the phrase, "damning with faint praise", there you are.
Old Abilene town and Eisenhower museum were very interesting to me as a boy. There was also the Auto Museum. You could go 80mph on the interstate at the time.
We stopped in Cedar Rapids Iowa on our road trip from California to Chicago this summer. Great little town with breweries and coffee shops plus museums. I was pleasantly surprised
I would say the worlds largest truck stop at I-80 is worth a stop and looksie too
WV isn't too bad. It has mountains. I enjoyed new river gorge and harper's ferry
I just came across this review. I was brought up in Alabama and went to high school in North Dakota and my father was born on a military/native American reservation in Oklahoma and my mother was born in Chicago. I agree with your assessment of those areas. Your comment about Montgomery, "just skip it," had me laughing out loud.
Same! That "Just skip it" cracked me up!🤣
Lived in Kansas my whole life, and yes it is pretty boring but I love it. Driving through the flint hills off I-70 is really pretty especially at sunrise and sunset
As soon as I saw the title to this video, I knew that Kansas (my native heath) would be included. At first sight, the vast expanses of wheat spreading out like an ocean might be interesting to a lifelong city-dweller, but that effect gets old pretty fast when you're driving on I-70. I suppose the fact that the state boasts the "World's Biggest Ball of Twine" (in Cawker City) is the final touch that secures the number one slot on this list.
I've been to all 50 states and can say almost every state has interesting parts and vast boring areas. I'm not sure the definition of 'road trip' but it seems to be things to do and not just experiencing the open road. I love twisty roads through hills and will search them out. The key is to get OFF THE INTERSTATES !!! Enjoy the back country, follow rivers and explore small towns. Don't discount a state because you have to drive hours of boring country to get to the interesting parts.
Scott R I hear you! I have visited every state but Alaska, and there is something to see in all of them. Colorado east of Denver is the dreariest, most depressing part of the country I have seen, and Colorado is considered one of the most beautiful states. I drove through Kansas four years ago in a Ryder truck, and I had a blast driving down the back roads, avoiding the Interstate. I had a wonderful breakfast at a pancake house in Liberal, spent three enjoyable hours in Dodge City, took in the sights at President Eisenhower's boyhood home in Abilene, which is where he is buried, and I stayed in a wonderful old hotel in Lawrence, which is a bustling college town. So beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
agreed. Even California and New York can be boring if you aren't into what they have to offer. Though if you are bored in California you are not trying very hard.
100% agreement. I live in Chicago and make a road trip home every few years. Always w/ minimal Interstate driving. Hwy 2 at the tippy-top of the continental country, through ND, MT, ID was adventurous (esp in ND, along the Missouri River), Hwy 54 through the rarely-seen parts of KS, OK, TX was gorgeous, and Hwy 20 through N Nebraska is lonely and beautiful. Hwy 89 from Logan, UT to Jackson, WY is one of the most beautiful stretches in the whole country. Avoid Interstates!!!
@@rhettbuckley2660 Agree, the high line (hwy 2) is very interesting! I will note the others and be sure to check them out when I have time.
@@cosybully - I was born in Colorado. Still live there. Will probably kick the bucket here too. And you are right...Colorado is a true dichotomy. The eastern plains are just soul crushing. (And full of Trump voters.) There are a few months of pure terror out on the plains when the tarantulas have their annual mating migration which turns boredom into horror. The rest of the Centennial State is pretty much magical/majestic/memorable.
West Virginia has some of the best nature and stars east of the mississippi.
Look up Cherry Spring PA for stars. Also top notch 👍
Vermont is pretty good.
Yeah, W. Virginia is beautiful. Shame how impoverished it is.
Iowa away from the Mississippi River area. Just miles and miles of miles and miles of corn and soybeans.
@@glennso47 as an Iowan.... I couldn’t agree more
We drove through Kansas on a road trip. We stopped at monument rocks, which were kind of cool. We stayed the night at a little campground with a little man made lake. It was a pleasant place. That night, I read that this park was in the running for the 9th wonder of Kansas. It was contending against a giant ball of string. My husband and I laughed until we cried.
We went through West Virginia, too. Blackwater falls were nice, but for someone from the Pacific NW, they weren't that exciting. We camped, arriving really late (after driving crazy winding roads that were somehow part of the interstate). We woke to the sound of banjos. 🤣 I wasn't sure if that was scary or awesome. We had happened upon a bluegrass festival. We had to leave because we were on a schedule, and I was sorely disappointed to miss that! WV was pretty, so it made up for not being very exciting. We also met someone who didn't know where Idaho was. Which was true to stereotype. My mind was blown that she really didn't know that Ohio and Idaho were different.
Man it depends what you’re into - Some of my best camping, fishing trips in have been in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and the botany in Alabama is outstanding. My grandparents lived in WV and there was unlimited outdoor opportunities there. I’m not much of a city guy, so I can’t speak to that. A lot of cities seem the same, and it’s always been about the great outdoors for me when I’m on a road trip. I love the interesting map videos keep em coming!
I totally agree. I think a lot of people misinterpreted this list. It was from a road trippping perspective where stopping to camp for a few days in these places is something I wouldn't recommend for a once-in-a-lifetime 2-week road trip. I think a lot of people also equate "boring" with "bad". Sometimes people want and need boring. But again in my opinion not the best recommendations for cross-country road trips.
I think your list is fair in many ways. If it’s a once in a lifetime deal, yeah way more worthwhile to spend time in somewhere like Grand Teton, rather than Oklahoma City or Gulf Shores AL. It’s hard to break things down by state too, some regions of interesting states are very boring. What is memorable from road trips isn’t always the most fun or most scenic, but changes your perspective, like I remember being blown away by the landscape of Nebraska Sandhills, but on the same day driving through the Pine Ridge Reservation. I feel lucky to have experienced many different types of places on road trips. I’ve still never been to Alaska, Hawaii or Kansas. I’ve been collecting maps for years and love the geography of our country and the world. I