I first heard the term, “flyover state,” in 2018 when I listened to the New York Times best-selling author and journalist, Sarah Kendzior, being interviewed about the release of her then new book, The View from Flyover Country. It was a compilation of essays that discuss what life is like in the heartland of our country. Many of these locations are often overlooked.
What is a Flyover State?
According to my recent search, Flyover states are a term for the interior regions of the contiguous United States that lie between the Northeast and West Coast, often passed over during transcontinental flights without being a destination. The phrase is informal and can carry a pejorative tone, implying these states are “only worth flying over” rather than visiting in person.
According to World Population Review’s 2026 classification, the following states are considered flyover states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
That’s 24 states, so you might be reading this while you are in one!
According to USA Today, the following states hold the top US destinations:
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
- Maui, Honolulu–Oahu (Hawaii)
- New York City (New York)
- Washington (D.C.)
- Orlando (Florida)
- Las Vegas (Nevada)
- San Francisco (California)
Okay that’s fair. I have been to all but one of these places, and they are worthy of being ranked and are interesting places to visit. But there are only seven! There must be more out there to see, and at the same time, have you ever considered what you might be missing off the beaten path?
Let me tell you about a flyover state
In my home state, Ohio, there is a common phrase, “The heart of it all,” accompanied by an outline of the state, which roughly resembles the shape of a heart. We celebrate four seasons and have eight cities connected by way of major highways that make traveling easy: Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown. If you are taking a road trip to the Northeast or Midwest, you might consider Ohio as an intermittent destination. Here are some possibilities to visit along the way:
- Nationally recognized zoos: Columbus, Cincinnati
- Largest theater district outside of New York: Playhouse Square
- A National Park: Cuyahoga Valley NP (the 11th most visited in the U.S.)
- Professional Sports Teams:
Football: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pro Football Hall of Fame
Baseball: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians
Basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers
Hockey: Columbus Blue Jackets
Soccer: Columbus Crew
WNBA: Coming soon … Cleveland Sirens
History:
- U.S. presidents and memorials: Eight U.S. presidents were born in Ohio: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding.
- Home of the National First Ladies Library and Museum
Arts and Museums:
Center of Science and Industry
That is just a sampling, and I hope I peaked your interest to consider adding it to your bucket list.
Find a Destination
Before your next adventure, check the list of flyover states and consider making one of them a destination for your next vacation. Some of my favorite flyover experiences include:
- Kentucky – Mammoth Cave National Park
- New Orleans, Louisiana – History, music, culture, cuisine
- Tennessee – Grand Ole Opry, Smoky Mountains
Also consider things like airfare, gas, lodging, and dining prices. Flyover states can often save you a bundle!
What is your favorite flyover state? Take a minute to share some details on why we should consider making it a destination in the comments.
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