# The most boring U.S. state **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 22, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262 "2019-12-22T22:57:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/41 "2019-12-23T12:27:06Z")
Where I drove through… I’m having a hard time deciding between Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota and Kansas. And I haven’t been to Delaware. ---
**Author:** ![PAjoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pajoe/32/58_2.png) [@PAjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PAjoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/42 "2019-12-23T12:30:00Z")
Why all the Delaware hate? Any state with a town called Slaughter Beach can’t be all bad. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/43 "2019-12-23T12:56:32Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Maybe most of Iowa is boring, but the NE corner has lots of topography. > Wyoming has the Bighorns and (most of) Yellowstone > Idaho has the Mesa Falls scenic byway and the St Anthony Dunes. > > Nebraska is definitely up there at least along I80 > > Brian Nebraska has fossil beds. That has to count for something. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/44 "2019-12-23T13:54:56Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Good choice. I pulled into a rest stop in Iowa, where a sign was prominently displayed: “Iowa’s Not Boring!” > > If you have to say that your state is not boring–then it’s boring. Funny! I agree, if you need to post that sign, then you’re basically saying that you’re boring. But Iowa has… Beautiful rolling hills of corn fields The two great rivers, Mississippi and Missouri. And also the Big Sioux River. Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch Clear Lake — the Surf Ballroom, and the cornfield that was there on The Day The Music Died (marked by giant Buddy Holly eyeglasses) The Field of Dreams in Dyersville Hawkeye Point, the highest point in the state, at 1,670’ elevation _This ain’t heaven. It’s Iowa._ What’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/45 "2019-12-23T14:02:23Z")
And there’s more in Iowa! Covered bridges (yes, The Bridges of Madison County) Round barns ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/46 "2019-12-23T14:32:29Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Nebraska has fossil beds. That has to count for something. All that means is that 65 million years ago, they were interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/47 "2019-12-23T14:40:26Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Connecticut would get strong consideration for its relative nothingness and status as a food desert for travelers, except it’s small enough that the boredom factor is limited. > > Pennsylvania is wretchedly long and boring and attractions are limited except for Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland and Polka Party on the radio on Sunday mornings in western PA. Food and water are also hard to come by. Hey, now! Pennsylvania has [the Shoe House](http://https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haines_Shoe_House#/media/File%3AShoehouse.jpg) in Hanover! Which also has a restaurant called The Hot Weiner. That’s a solid week of entertainment right there. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/48 "2019-12-23T14:49:05Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > And there’s more in Iowa! And they can be cold as a falling thermometer in December when you ask about the weather in July. You ought to give Iowa a try. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/49 "2019-12-23T14:51:35Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > And they can be cold as a falling thermometer in December when you ask about the weather in July. > > You ought to give Iowa a try. I’ve been there several times, in all seasons. Driven through, and rode my motorcycle across. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/50 "2019-12-23T14:58:39Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Delaware. Has there ever even been a book or movie set in Delaware? _Fight Club_ qualifies as both, though I don’t think it’s ever stated outright. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/51 "2019-12-23T15:17:54Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Delaware. Has there ever even been a book or movie set in Delaware? There’s a Wikipedia page for that — Category:Films set in Delaware [Category:Films set in Delaware - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_set_in_Delaware) > [@](#): > > The following 15 pages are in this category, out of 15 total. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more). > > B > Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice > D > Days of Thunder > E > Empire Records > G > Goosebumps (film) > H > Head Case (film) > Head Cases: Serial Killers in the Delaware Valley > Hiding Out > I > I Can See You (film) > L > Last Flag Flying > M > Man of Steel (film) > Meet the People > S > Seeking a Friend for the End of the World > Survival of the Dead > T > Trigger Man (2007 film) > W > Wrestling (2008 film) ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/52 "2019-12-23T15:26:33Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > Driving throught Nebraska or Kansas after the beginning of August. All you see is cornstalks. And more cornstalks. And more cornstalks. Come back! I’ll show you the soy beans! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/53 "2019-12-23T15:34:27Z")
Any state that contains mountains is immediately off the list. I see a lot of comments about Delaware, but what about Rhode Island? I mean, there isn’t even an island with that name. On the map it looks like some land neither Massachusetts or Connecticut wanted (and that’s saying something). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/54 "2019-12-23T15:50:52Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Pennsylvania is wretchedly long and boring and attractions are limited except for Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland and Polka Party on the radio on Sunday mornings in western PA. Food and water are also hard to come by. Nonsense. Pennsylvania is lovely UNLESS you’re on the Turnpike in which case you have entered a Very Special Corner of Purgatory and you have no one to blame but yourself. > [@Spoons](#): > > Good choice. I pulled into a rest stop in Iowa, where a sign was prominently displayed: “Iowa’s Not Boring!” > > If you have to say that your state is not boring–then it’s boring. I vote Iowa too. I have literally stopped at the World’s Largest Truck Stop on I-80 just to have something to look at. I-80 west-east is basically a big river, then Council “We’re not a suburb of Omaha, honest!” Bluffs, then a couple hours of nothing, then Des Moines (“Oh my God - something other than farmland!”) then a couple more hours of nothing, then some exits for the Quad Cities and then a big river and you’re in Illinois. Nebraska changes as you go. Iowa - not so much. Although the zoo in Des Moines is nice. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/55 "2019-12-23T16:16:01Z")
Now, see the thing about Nebraska, Kansas and other plain states is that in the flat parts there is very little ground cover. Which means, when you _do_ find ground cover it is interesting, because virtually every stone has something cool\* underneath it. But admittedly they are still boring as fuck to drive through. - Disclaimer: Cool here being defined as random reptiles and amphibians ;). ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/56 "2019-12-23T16:28:37Z")
I would vote Kansas and I live here. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/57 "2019-12-23T16:43:36Z")
Another vote for Delaware. I can only guess at how boring some of the midwest states are, but I have been to Delaware and can attest for the aura of ennui that covers the state. Even it’s unique curved border seems dull when viewed from within the state. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/58 "2019-12-23T16:44:48Z")
Delaware is there to tell you that you took a wrong turn coming out of Philadelphia Airport. It has no other purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/59 "2019-12-23T16:52:11Z")
All those saying Delaware, I have one word for you… MALARKEY! ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262/60 "2019-12-23T17:07:16Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > And there’s more in Iowa! IOW, Ya oughta give Iowa a try! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-boring-u-s-state/845262.md?page=4)