Visiting all 50 states is a worthy goal for the American traveler—there's no better way to understand your own country than by exploring the prairies, mountains, and deserts that span the U.S.A. from sea to shining sea. (Of course, you'll have to board a plane to mark off Alaska, Hawaii, and—if you're counting territories—Puerto Rico). This depth and breadth of domestic travel equips you with a more thorough appreciation of the diversity and scale of the United States—and will make you more astonished than ever by its unique beauty. (Plus, it's a pretty epic travel goal to achieve in one's lifetime). And, on the anniversary of America’s 250th, there’s no better time to embark on this worthy journey.

The author on horseback in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The experience of visiting 50 states will make you realize you don't need a passport to behold spectacular cultures and landscapes. You don't need to travel to the Swiss Alps to behold jagged, snow-capped peaks (head to Wyoming, instead) or visit the Sahara to appreciate the vastness of the desert sands (plan a trip to Arizona). I saw my 50th state at the age of 13, when I touched down for a trip in Honolulu, and have visited many of the 50 states several times since then. As 50 state exploration has experienced an upswing in recent years, we will investigate the main drivers of this trend and interview travelers who have visited all 50 to understand this all-American phenomenon fully. 

50 State Explorers

The author enjoying a cocktail in Montauk, New York

Though visiting every state has long been on the must-do list for travel professionals (and extracurricular travel fanatics), this goal has become increasingly popular—becoming a bucket-list mainstay for many everyday Americans. "We're seeing more and more people with this goal," said Alicia Rovey, founder of the All Fifty Club. It seems like any room you go in; there's at least one person that is trying to get to all 50." The ubiquity of would-be 50 state explorers is partially due to several factors, including relative expense—domestic travel remains a far more cost-effective option than journeying overseas. Plus, the 50 state goal can be surprisingly feasible once you start counting and tracking your border-crossings. Scott Josephson visited his 50th state, North Dakota, at the age of 35. However, he was initially overwhelmed by the prospect: "It seemed like a daunting feat to visit all 50 states but, the more I traveled for business, I realized that I could accomplish it strategically. States became like Pokemon: I had to catch them all." 

The author surfing in Oahu, Hawaii

The game element—and the inherent satisfaction of methodically crossing off each state on a dwindling list—is certainly a factor. Lee Abbamonte became the youngest person to visit every country in the world when he visited Libya at the age of 32, but traveling to all 50 states was almost an afterthought, and traveling to all 50 states was a natural extension of that goal: "Since I was on a path to visit every country, I figured I should visit every state as well. I accomplished both!" (His 50th state, years later, was Michigan).

For other travelers, their desire to maximize their domestic exploration was reflective of their wanderlust overseas. "I thought I could be a better world traveler and a better American if I really got to know my own country," said Mindy Bianca, who visited her 50th state (Alaska) at age 36. And, unlike other travel goals, there is no age limit to completing the 50 state bucket list: "Visiting all 50 states had never been an explicit goal until my late 30s," said Charles Veley. "I was nearly 40 when finally arriving in North Dakota and had already visited all of the countries of the world!"  

50 State Trends

The author kayaking in Grand Teton National Park, Myoming

So, what is it that has made visiting all 50 states such a highly-prized (and highly-discussed accomplishment at the moment? A confluence of global events in 2020 and 2021 has both severely thwarted the very concept of travel while also bringing about a domestic tourism boom. We're talking, of course, about the outbreak of Covid-19 and the accompanying lockdown mandates and travel restrictions. A silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic has been the renewed interest in travel within the United States—as international borders have closed, Americans are looking within their country of residence for myriad ways to explore the outdoors and alleviate the tensions of sheltering at home. When your overseas travel goals are on seemingly indefinite hold, why not double down on a dream vacation within the nation's borders? Hence, 50 state bucket lists are even more top of mind. 

Another benefactor of the coronavirus pandemic? National Parks, many of which—unsurprisingly—are located within the country's least-populated (and infrequently visited) states. The Parks' popularity reflects the recent shift from urban to rural travel, with visitors prioritizing the safety and social distancing that's easy to find in the great outdoors (and the American West, in particular). Though Montana and Wyoming are usually among the lesser-visited states in the country (12.6 million and 9.2 million annual visitors, respectively), 2020 was a banner year for tourism. Yellowstone National Park, located within both states, experienced an uptick in visitors in July 2020, despite being closed to overseas tourists (usually a high-volume source of bookings.) All of this, of course, reflects the current moment of Americans rediscovering the beauty of their own country. 

And the best (or certainly the most thorough) method of experiencing the beauty of America is by setting out on the open road. With its cross-country routes and scenic byways, America is one of the best countries to explore by car. The all-American road trip belongs to a venerable tradition in popular culture—from Jack Kerouac ("the road is life") to Tom Petty ("life is a highway") to Bruce Springsteen ("out on the streets of a runaway American dream."). I visited the majority of the 50 states via cross-country road trips and therefore agree with the sentiment of fellow 50 state explorer Scott Josephson: "There's something so very American about taking to the highway with an epic soundtrack and savoring the serendipity that comes with the freedom of the open road."

The open road leads us to another trend fuelled by recent events: The prioritization of car travel, as it is a safer pandemic alternative to the crowded and contained spaces of airplanes. The price of camper vans and RV rentals skyrocketed this past year as many Americans sought a Covid-compliant exodus from sheltering at home. This trend is not forecasted to subside anytime soon. According to an Airbnb study, even as borders reopen internationally, most Americans still want to travel domestically, with an overwhelming preference to travel by car. Notably, only one in five travelers want their final destination to be within driving distance of home, setting up the opportunity for more long-term road trips across the U.S.A.—all the better to visit the 48 continental states. "If you travel by train or airplane, you don't get to stop at those wonders along the way," notes 50 state explorer Mindy Bianca. "And I think those sorts of adventures are the real fun of exploring America." 

50 State Surprises

The author with a reindeer at Borealis Basecamp, Alaska

Finally, we know why it's trending, and we understand why people set out to do so—but why should you consider visiting all 50 states? The answer may sound simple, but its effects are far-reaching (and potentially life-affirming): To better appreciate the scope and diversity of our nation—both its landscapes and its citizens. "We are a diverse patchwork of cultures, backgrounds, and surroundings that is hard to understand without visiting every corner to experience and understand different perspectives," says travel writer Ramsey Qubein, who visited his 50th state (North Dakota) at the age of 35. "Some of your most memorable experiences may be to the places you might have considered least likely to visit."

Speaking of unlikely places, Robert Frost may have been facetious when he wrote about the road less traveled, but we maintain that it does make all the difference in 50 state exploration. Forget the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast Highway: The heartland is the most popular underrated destination for many 50 state explorers. "The entire middle of the country was a pleasant surprise," says Mindy Bianca, "and I probably wouldn't have had a reason to get to many of those Midwestern states had I not been on this quest to get to all 50." You will be amazed by what amazes you—and what you would never have discovered had it not been for your 50 state agenda. "Domestic travel has made me appreciate the range of lifestyles, landscapes, and people that make America an incredible and one-of-a-kind nation," says 50 state explorer Scott Josephson. 

And this eyewitness experience of beholding the diversity of America—the varieties and similarities that mark each of its 50 states—is ultimately an exercise in empathy. "You see differences in our country that make you understand where and why others may feel differently about certain things than you do," says Lee Abbamonte. "It helps you relate and understand." And what could be a better undertaking to pursue now, when our country feels more divided than ever? Ultimately, the similarities that unite us are stronger than what divides us: "You'll be surprised with the connections you make and the ideas that resonate across the country," says Scott Josephson. You may start your journey intending to capture some picture-perfect Instagrams and earn some travel street-cred and (much-deserved) bragging rights. But you'll find that the benefit of visiting all 50 states is far greater—and far more meaningful—than what can easily be shared on social media.

That being said, we know that achieving your 50 state goals can be daunting—not only in actual traveling but also in preparation and planning. Stephanie Scott, the founder of Stephanie Ventures, LLC, first began her 50 state quest in her late 20s, inspired by a recent trip to New Mexico with a friend. "Aspiring to visit all 50 states really challenges one to do a little homework to learn about each state," says Scott. "If you do it right, you'll learn plenty about each state's history, people, landscape, culture, and cuisine. What more could we ask for from our travel adventures?!" (She visited her 50th state, Mississippi, just before her 50th birthday).

Our last bit of advice? Don't be overwhelmed by the enormity of the undertaking; just be inspired by the infinite possibilities ahead. In the words of Jack Kerouac: "There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.”