If you’ve ever packed up the car for a nice, long trip across the United States of America, you might have noticed one thing all the states have in common. Other than being “united,” of course.
They all make sure to give you a unique welcome as you drive past the state line.
Along those desolate highways, you’ll see plenty of noteworthy sites like gorgeous mountains, mesas, forests, and giant tracks of nothing but desert and open sky. And on the way, you’ll also see a friendly “hello” that perfectly suits whichever state you’re in.
Out west in Colorado, you might see wooden signs that welcome you to the “colorful” state, since Colorado originally meant “colored.” Or, you might see a welcome sign that proudly shows the state flag, nickname or motto — like in Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Illinois. Some also show off the state flower, like Missouri or California.
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Recently, some states have also been showcasing their state tourism ad campaigns, like Michigan’s “Pure Michigan” tagline.
There seems to be infinite ways to welcome travelers into your state. Some choose to be funny, some choose to honor their state’s history, some choose to be ultra patriotic and some just want to give you a pretty sign when you first drive into the state.
But the sentiment remains the same, whether you’re in New York or Washington, and that’s people are welcome to explore this big, wide country.
Take a trip through these images to see what every state has to offer in terms of giving you a warm welcome. You don’t even have to pack up the car with provisions and snacks for the road. Just sit back, click, and imagine you’re on the ultimate, Great American Road Trip.
