Intro
After 2.5 years on the road and 28 states behind us, my family and I have enough memories to fill a lifetime. People often ask: “What was your favorite state?” and “Which state were you happiest to leave?” While I’ve answered these many times, I’ve never ranked them all—until now.
So buckle up! Here’s my personal list, from the state I’d move to tomorrow, to the one I hope to never see again.
Top 5 States
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Oregon – A dream for outdoor lovers: Mt. Hood, Trillium Lake, Cannon Beach, and the volcanic wonders of Deschutes National Forest. Oregon is where we’ll eventually settle.
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Washington – Stunning coastal views, Mt. Rainier, and our first Pacific cliff jump. Plus, excellent library systems for the kids.
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New Mexico – Totally unexpected. Alien museums in Roswell, and the surreal White Sands National Park made it unforgettable.
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Utah – Boondocking at the Bonneville Salt Flats was surreal. Kids played on an abandoned playground, and I raced across history.
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California – Yosemite is indescribably beautiful, and Pinnacles National Park’s cave trails were a total surprise hit.
Mid-Tier Favorites (6–20)
These were special in different ways, with some being about experiences more than destinations:
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Florida – Crystal-clear springs and swimming with manatees, but hurricanes and cost of living were downsides.
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Illinois – Superman Museum in Metropolis was a lifelong fan moment.
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Pennsylvania – Hershey Park made for sweet childhood memories.
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South Carolina – Where our story began. Always has a place in our hearts.
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North Carolina – Family visits and stunning hikes at Stone Mountain.
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Maryland – My childhood trails and Civil War history shared with my sons.
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Virginia – Alpacas were a hit. COVID was not.
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Ohio – Old friends and the Boonshoft Museum made it special.
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Mississippi – Fantastic museums in Jackson for the kids.
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Indiana – Calm, peaceful recharge with a great playground.
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Nevada – Quiet, smoky solitude while boondocking.
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Iowa – Quiet time, nature, and new animal friends.
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Missouri – One-night trout stop at Montauk State Park.
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Colorado – Incredible mountain views, but a GPS mishap almost got us shot!
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Alabama – Great campground, but very remote.
The Bottom 8 (21–28)
Still part of the journey—but more challenging or forgettable.
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Georgia – One amazing family, one bizarre cult-like farm.
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Kentucky – Drove through during Derby weekend (bad idea with a trailer).
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Louisiana – Just a Cracker Barrel overnight, though a good breakfast!
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Arizona – Incredible views and hikes. But our dog caught parvo, and the heat was relentless.
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Idaho – Scenic, but a misjudged campsite tested my backing-up skills big time.
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Nebraska – Promising at first, but remote and uneventful.
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Arkansas – (Assuming based on context—might need to confirm)
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(Least Favorite State) – Still unclear—Nebraska? Please confirm!
Final Thoughts
Every state taught us something—about life, parenting, nature, or ourselves. Some gave us unforgettable beauty, others challenges that made us stronger. If you’re considering a full-time RV lifestyle, know that not every stop will be perfect, but each one will be part of your story.