# Two states look distinctly different just by driving over the border? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012 "2016-09-27T00:49:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/41 "2016-09-27T18:20:39Z")
When you cross the border on a highway from Illinois to Wisconsin, you suddenly run into big porno stores. A trick of geography, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/42 "2016-09-27T18:35:27Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > There are mountains separating Oregon and California. On the Oregon side, it’s green and wooded. On the California side, it’s desert/savannah. This was particularly dramatic at the height of the drought … California was dry harsh and barren … but just over the Siskiyou Pass road crews were busy hacking the forest off the I-5 roadbed … ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/43 "2016-09-27T19:07:11Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > More flat, open spaces definitely means more wind. We always joke about how Colorado is a tropical paradise compared to Wyoming. It’s quite common for the weather to be fine in Colorado and turn into a blizzard as soon as you cross the Wyoming border. Yeah, I lived in Fort Collins for a while, had clients in Cheyenne. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/44 "2016-09-27T19:10:31Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > When you cross the border on a highway from Illinois to Wisconsin, you suddenly run into big porno stores. A trick of geography, maybe? Perhaps they want you to look at, not just smell, their dairy air? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/45 "2016-09-27T19:31:27Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > Similar thread from last year: [Which state lines in the U.S. represent the most abrupt borders?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=763397) Last year?!? I thought this was the same thread. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/46 "2016-09-27T19:31:57Z")
Eastern Shore of MD on RT 13 going into DE crossing from Wicomico County into Sussex at the RT 54 divide. Suddenly payday and car title loan stores are everywhere and motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/47 "2016-09-27T19:32:24Z")
Chefguy: > [@](#): > > From eastern Oregon into Idaho is pretty dramatic, as you cross the Snake River Canyon. And it’s even more dramatic if you do it by motorcycle! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/48 "2016-09-27T19:33:10Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Chefguy: > > And it’s even more dramatic if you do it by motorcycle! With a rocket motor! ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/49 "2016-09-27T20:21:42Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Perhaps they want you to look at, not just smell, their dairy air? 😃 When you cross at one point from the Republic to Northern Ireland, you know because of the Derry air. > [@cmkeller](#): > > And it’s even more dramatic if you do it by motorcycle! > [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > With a rocket motor! Disclaimer: this is very unsafe. These guys are just being evel. ETA: oh, I guess it’s the wrong Snake River Canyon? [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_River_Canyon_(Idaho)) [2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hells_Canyon) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/50 "2016-09-27T20:40:05Z")
There’s not a lot of difference between southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, except in the Durango area. Just north of the state line the San Juan Mountains rise up to 13,000-14,000 feet (4,000-4,300 meters). Northwestern New Mexico is relatively flat. The other difference is all the recreational marijuana dispensaries in the southern Colorado towns. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/51 "2016-09-27T21:05:12Z")
Crossing from Virginia into Maryland just outside DC, the ground abruptly changes to water! (The border is actually on the Virginia coast of the Potomac, not the middle of the river). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/52 "2016-09-27T21:07:33Z")
The change from Arkansas to Missouri has always been notable–because the road quality changes very quickly. Arkansas takes longer to fix up its roads, likely due to money issues. The Missouri road is always smoother. I’ve heard people say this is true going other directions, but I’ve only regularly been across the Missouri/Arkansas border. It’s been too long for me to remember going any other direction. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/53 "2016-09-27T21:22:49Z")
Yeah howdy. I used to drive between St. Louis and Memphis a couple times a year. The fastest highway route is south across Missouri to Arkansas, then south through Arkansas until abeam Memphis, the east to Memphis. Tennessee roads were no great shakes. But Arkansas’ roads reminded me of the 1960s. With 1990s traffic. And this was the interstates, largely maintained with Federal funds. Pulling off and driving around on state route so-and-so was an adventure. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/54 "2016-09-28T01:03:52Z")
Also, crossing AR to OK on state roads, the roads that are 55MPH ( AR ) and follow the original wagon trails and the ( 65 MPH ) roads in OK which were built for 65 MPH are way different. That is why bikers like AR, the riding is great and with only a few exceptions, there is way less traffic. Yeah, AR is poor and Federal funds are only part of the $$$$ needed. If you don’t have a lot, it is a pretty cheap place to live. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/55 "2016-09-29T21:11:38Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > More flat, open spaces definitely means more wind. We always joke about how Colorado is a tropical paradise compared to Wyoming. It’s quite common for the weather to be fine in Colorado and turn into a blizzard as soon as you cross the Wyoming border. According to John McPhee in _Rising From The Plains_, I-80 in Wyoming has been closed by snow every month of the year save August. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/56 "2016-09-29T22:40:36Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > According to John McPhee in _Rising From The Plains_, I-80 in Wyoming has been closed by snow every month of the year save August. I believe it. Semi-trucks will sleep in our Walmart parking lot while it’s closed. It’s quite a sight when it re-opens. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/57 "2016-09-29T23:49:16Z")
NY/VT, VT roads are in better condition, less potholes, less tar, and wider shoulder, also many have a greenish tint. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012/58 "2016-09-30T18:51:53Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Crossing from Virginia into Maryland just outside DC, the ground abruptly changes to water! > > (The border is actually on the Virginia coast of the Potomac, not the middle of the river). Heh, I was just walking by the Potomac with my daughter the other day and pointed out how the land-water boundary was the Virginia-DC boundary. Somehow the Calverts wangled the whole river out of Virginia in colonial times, though I never found out why. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-states-look-distinctly-different-just-by-driving-over-the-border/767012.md?page=2)