Exploring America State by State

Almost Heaven — and after driving it, you understand exactly why John Denver wrote that. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we explore West Virginia, the Mountain State, folded entirely into the Appalachian range with deep gorges, whitewater rivers, and a proud coal mining heritage. We climb the Highland Scenic Highway through the Monongahela National Forest, drive past the icon...

Small enough to cross in an afternoon, but packed with more character than its size suggests. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we explore Delaware, the First State, from grand DuPont mansions in the north to the boardwalk beach towns filling the Atlantic coastline every summer. We drive Coastal Highway past Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany Beach, wind the quieter Delaware Bay Scen...

Virginia holds more early American history than almost any state in the country. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we explore the Old Dominion, birthplace of eight U.S. presidents, from the mountain crest of Skyline Drive down through the Historic Triangle to the beaches of Virginia Beach. We drive Skyline Drive's seventy-plus overlooks in Shenandoah National Park, the Colonial...

Technically not a state, but no road trip through this part of the country is complete without it. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we explore Washington DC, the seat of American democracy, where the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court all sit within walking distance of each other. We drive the wooded Rock Creek Parkway, follow the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, and cr...

Maryland packs mountains, sailing harbors, and Atlantic beaches into one surprisingly small footprint — and in this episode of Exploring America State by State , we drive all of it. We wind the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway along the Eastern Shore, climb Garrett County's mountain roads around Deep Creek Lake, trace Civil War history on the Antietam Campaign Byway, and cross the dramatic Chesapea...

Pennsylvania holds together more American history and culture than almost any state its size. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we explore the Keystone State from the birthplace of American independence in Philadelphia to the steel-city skyline of Pittsburgh, with rolling Amish farmland and an entire chocolate empire in between. We drive the northern stretch of Route 6 past the...

New Jersey gets teased more than almost any state in the country — and it doesn't deserve most of it. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we cross into the Garden State and find exactly what the nickname promises: rolling farmland, over a million acres of pine forest, and 130 miles of legendary shoreline. We drive the Garden State Parkway past beach town after beach town, cut thr...

New York is so much more than one city — it's a whole state with two completely different rhythms. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we cover both: the electric pulse of Manhattan and the wide-open, slower landscape that surrounds it for hundreds of miles. We drive the Taconic Parkway and Hudson Highlands, uncover hidden gems like Letchworth State Park (the "Grand Canyon of the...

Most people drive through Connecticut on their way to somewhere else — and that's a mistake. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we slow down in the Constitution State, where colonial stone walls meet Ivy League history and old whaling towns still smell like salt air. We cruise the art deco bridges of the Merritt Parkway, wind through the Quiet Corner along Route 169, and hug the...

This year, Route 66 turns one hundred years old. In this special centennial episode of Exploring America State by State and Pass the Brockly , we drive the entire Mother Road — all roughly 2,400 miles of it — from its official starting sign in downtown Chicago to the End of the Trail marker on the Santa Monica Pier. Chapter by chapter, state by state: Illinois' Gemini Giant and Dell Rhea's Chicken...

The smallest state in the country packs the biggest surprises. In this episode of Exploring America State by State , we cross into Rhode Island — the Ocean State — where Gilded Age mansions line the cliffs of Newport, floating bonfires light up the rivers of Providence, and quahog stuffies are practically a religion. We drive Ocean Drive and Route 1A along the coast, walk the legendary Cliff Walk...

Join Exploring America State by State as we discover Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American Revolution and one of the most historically significant destinations in the United States. From the cobblestone streets of Boston and the Freedom Trail to the beaches of Cape Cod and the fall atmosphere of Salem, this episode explores the history, culture, sports, food, and scenic beauty that define...

Join Exploring America State by State as we discover Vermont, a uniquely preserved corner of New England that banned billboards in 1968 and maintains its authentic character through maple farms, covered bridges, and scenic mountain roads. This episode explores why Vermont is the only continental state without a Walmart and how it rewards travelers who slow down to experience its genuine charm. Rou...

Join the hosts of Exploring America State by State as they take you on a scenic journey through New Hampshire, revealing why this northeastern gem deserves to be a destination, not just a drive-through state. Discover the hidden treasures, scenic routes, and authentic experiences that make New Hampshire a traveler's paradise. The legendary Kancamagus Highway - 34.5 miles of pristine New England sc...

Ever planned the perfect northern road trip only to discover the bugs are trying to carry you away? In this special episode of Exploring America State by State, we uncover the truth about black fly season across the northern United States and eastern Canada. From the forests of Maine and Vermont to the Adirondacks of New York and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we explain when black flies emerge,...

Join us as we explore Maine, the Pine Tree State, revealing why it's one of America's most scenic and unforgettable summer destinations. This episode takes you on a journey through coastal highways, hidden island villages, and local traditions that make Maine truly special. Driving the legendary U.S. Route One coastal highway from Portland to Rockland Discovering Maine's Bold Coast region near Cut...