There's something magical about setting a goal to visit all 50 states. What started as a casual road trip hobby has turned into a full-blown mission — and I'm now at 36 states and counting.
The States I've Explored
So far, I've visited: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland & DC, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, California, Nevada, Mississippi, Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Oregon, and Washington.
Each state has its own personality. New England charmed me with its fall foliage and lobster rolls. The Southwest blew my mind with its red rock canyons. And the Pacific Northwest stole my heart with its evergreen forests and coffee culture.
What I've Learned
1. Every state surprises you. I went to West Virginia expecting nothing and found some of the most beautiful gorges in the country. Alabama's food scene is seriously underrated. Arkansas has Diamond Crater — where you can literally mine for diamonds.
2. Road trips > flights. Sure, flying is faster. But the best discoveries happen between destinations — the roadside diners, the scenic overlooks, the weird tourist traps.
3. Solo travel is freedom. Most of these trips I've done solo, and it's taught me to be comfortable with myself, to trust my instincts, and to talk to strangers.
What's Next
I've got 14 states left, and 2026 is the year I'm going big:
- April: Hawaii (2 weeks!)
- May: Kansas & Oklahoma
- June: Wyoming, Montana & Idaho (Yellowstone!)
- July: Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa & Nebraska
- August: Alaska
And in 2027? I'm going international — Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Austria in one epic European trip.
The journey continues. Follow along as I check off every state and share the stories along the way.
