One of my long-term travel goals has always been to visit all 50 states. So far, I have 33 under my belt, from big names like California and New York to quieter ones like Maine, Delaware, and West Virginia. People always assume the hardest states to visit are Alaska and Hawaii, but the funny thing is, I already knocked those out early. For me, the real challenge is the states that are mostly national parks, forests, and endless wilderness. I am not an outdoors guy. Hiking, camping, or wandering through miles of trees is not exactly my travel love language, so those states feel a lot more intimidating than hopping a flight across an ocean.
Even with that challenge, I’m motivated to push forward. Turning 40 feels like the perfect milestone to aim for 40 states, and with seven more to go to reach that number, this year is packed with plans. I’m starting with Vermont in May, which will help me finish off almost the entire Northeast. Then, at some point during the year, I want to hit Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa in one big Midwest loop. It feels efficient, and honestly, hitting multiple states on one trip gives me a weird sense of accomplishment I kind of love.
That still leaves two more states I need to reach my goal of 40, and that is where I’m not sure what direction to go next. Even though I’m missing most of the central and midwestern states, each one comes with its own vibe, history, and hidden gems. As much as I joke about not loving the wilderness, I know every state has something unique if you give it a chance. The real question is which ones should I prioritize next and what should I do once I’m there?
So I’m turning this over to you. Which two states do you think I should add to my list this year, and what experiences should I not miss while I’m there? Whether it’s food, culture, small towns, or something completely unexpected, I’m open to ideas. The journey to 50 continues.