I Visited 29 States Last Year — Here Are the 3 I Can't Wait to Return to and 2 I'd Skip

What Happens When You Travel to 29 States in a Single Year

Most people dream of doing a sweeping road trip across America. For Emily Pogue and her husband, that dream became a full-blown reality when they leveraged the flexibility of their remote jobs to spend an entire year traveling across the United States, putting down temporary roots in 29 different states along the way. The result? A deeply personal, boots-on-the-ground perspective on which states truly deliver — and which ones are best left as a single check on the bucket list.

If you're planning your own US road trip or simply trying to figure out where to allocate your precious vacation time, this kind of firsthand insight is invaluable. Here's a breakdown of the states that left the biggest impressions, both good and unforgettable.

The 3 States She Can't Wait to Go Back To

Out of 29 states, only a handful managed to leave such a lasting impression that Emily is already planning a return trip. What made these destinations stand out wasn't just their natural beauty or popular attractions — it was the combination of culture, atmosphere, hidden gems, and that hard-to-define feeling that there's always more to discover.

1. Michigan: America's Most Underrated State

Ask most Americans to picture Michigan and they'll conjure images of Detroit's gritty urban sprawl or the flat, grey monotony of the Midwest. Emily's experience proved that picture wildly incomplete. Michigan, she insists, is seriously underrated.

The state is home to stunning natural scenery that rivals destinations far more celebrated on the travel circuit. From the tulip farms and Dutch windmills of Holland, Michigan to the dramatic sand dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the state's western coast alone is worth the trip. The Upper Peninsula offers even more raw, unspoiled wilderness — waterfalls, dense forests, and the kind of quiet that city dwellers travel thousands of miles to find.

Beyond the landscapes, Michigan has a genuinely rich cultural identity. Its food scene, its small-town charm, and its surprisingly vibrant arts communities all contribute to a destination that rewards curious, unhurried travelers. For anyone who has overlooked Michigan in favor of more obvious choices, Emily's verdict is a compelling reason to reconsider.

2. Vermont: Small State, Enormous Character

Vermont is one of those places that seems almost too good to be true. Covered bridges, maple syrup farms, rolling green hills, and quaint New England villages that look like they were designed for a postcard — it's all real, and apparently even more charming in person than in photographs.

Emily fell hard for Vermont's combination of natural beauty and slow, intentional pace of life. The state's farm-to-table food culture is among the best in the country, and its commitment to local, sustainable living gives it an authenticity that feels increasingly rare. Whether you're hiking the Long Trail, browsing artisan markets in Burlington, or simply driving through the countryside as the seasons change, Vermont offers a version of American life that feels both timeless and deeply nourishing.

It's the kind of place that gets under your skin in the best way, the sort of destination you leave already planning how soon you can return.

3. South Dakota: Where the Great Plains Get Dramatic

South Dakota might be the biggest surprise on this list for travelers who have never ventured into the northern Great Plains. Beyond the well-known spectacle of Mount Rushmore lies a state of genuinely jaw-dropping diversity. The Badlands National Park alone justifies the detour — its alien landscape of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires is unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Then there's Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, the historic town of Deadwood, and the vast, windswept prairies that stretch toward the horizon with a kind of majestic emptiness that forces you to slow down and simply look. South Dakota rewards travelers who give it more than a day or two, and Emily clearly wishes she had even more time to explore it.

The 2 States She Probably Won't Revisit Soon

It's worth being clear: Emily doesn't regret a single state she visited. Every destination had something to offer, and the value of travel often lies in the experience itself, not just the destination. That said, some places feel more "complete" after a single visit than others.

West Virginia: A Highlight Reel Worth Seeing Once

West Virginia has genuine highlights — the New River Gorge, the Appalachian scenery, the quirky small towns with their deep Americana character. Emily had a great time there. But after seeing those key attractions, she feels she has a fairly complete picture of what the state offers. Without a specific new draw to pull her back, it lands on the "seen the best of it" list rather than the "must return" one.

Idaho: Stunning But Thoroughly Explored

Similar to West Virginia, Idaho delivered on its promises. The Sawtooth Mountains, Craters of the Moon National Monument, and the Snake River Plain are all legitimately spectacular. But again, Emily feels she hit the highlights effectively in one visit. Without a compelling reason to return — a new trail, a festival, a region left unexplored — Idaho sits comfortably in the "ticked off the list" category.

What a 29-State Road Trip Teaches You About America

The real takeaway from Emily's year on the road isn't a simple ranking of states. It's a reminder that the United States is far more varied, surprising, and rewarding than any single itinerary can capture. Some states reveal themselves quickly and generously. Others hold their best secrets back, demanding return visits and slower travel to truly unlock.

Whether you're a weekend road tripper or a full-time nomad dreaming of your own cross-country adventure, the most important lesson is simply this: go. The best state you've never visited might be sitting right in the middle of your country, waiting for you to find it.