Do you know how many states you’ve been to? Have you ever counted them up? A new poll found 30% of Americans want to visit all 50 states.
The top reasons we haven’t been to more are money, time, and a “lack of interest.” Some states are just more interesting than others.
Not everyone agrees on what “visiting” a state means though. Does just landing at an airport count? 14%, or one in seven people, say yes, just setting foot on the ground or changing planes counts. So even if you had a layover in Minneapolis, you’ve BEEN to Minnesota.
Here’s what people said when asked what the “minimum” level of travel is in order to say you’ve “been” someplace.
A full trip, with sightseeing. 21% think that’s the minimum for it to really count.
Spending a night there, 15%
Driving through it, 27%
Going beyond the airport, 7%. Like maybe it’s a long layover, so you go exploring for a few hours.
Having a meal, 3%. (???) Does a meal at the airport count?
Just setting foot on the ground, or changing planes, 14%.
Flying over it. 2% of us think it counts. (By that logic, you could take one trip your whole life, a flight from L.A. to New York and back, and say, “Oh yeah, I’ve been to Kansas twice.”)
(YouGov)
