Weathering A 50 State Family Vacation

When Jayson and Karina LeBaron decided their family would visit all 50 states in a single year, it didn’t come from a place of spontaneity, but a shared love of amusement parks and a knack for chasing big ideas until they become real.

With their daughters, 9-year-old Maya and 10-year-old Nora, finally tall enough for the biggest rollercoasters, “the perfect timing,” as they put it, the family realized they had a narrow window where the dream was possible.

And so, they made it happen.

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From Idea To 'We’re Leaving Tomorrow'

“It wasn’t like a spur of the moment thing,” Karina said. “We planned it for a very, very long time.”

They challenged themselves to do the trip as economically as possible. "We tricked out our van as cheaply as we could with internet and beds and everything in a way that would be livable," she explained.

By early 2025, Jayson was mapping routes. “I spent a little bit of time in January 2025 putting together a kind of rough idea of the road trip map,” he said. Efficiency was nonnegotiable. “We didn’t want to just drive all over… That’s a lot of gas money.”

He was able to work remotely while on the trip, which allowed for the girls to continue homeschooling for a few hours each morning.

Their five-month journey would ultimately cover 16,000 miles of road trips, three major U.S. loops, two ocean crossings and sleepless nights in every type of weather America could throw at them.

Alaska, Hawaii And Everything In Between

Getting to Alaska posed one of the biggest logistical hurdles. “We did not drive to Alaska and Hawaii,” Jayson laughed.

Instead, they discovered that it was more affordable to take a cruise than to ferry there with the van. So they flew to Seattle, boarded a budget cruise to Ketchikan, and checked off the 49th state surrounded by glaciers and misty mountains.

(MORE: America's Most Weather-Delayed Airport)

Hawaii came later, in October, thanks to a family connection. When Jayson's sister moved to Oahu, “we were like, it’s a sign," said Karina.

Other states came more easily, like Florida, for example, where they already lived. But they treated even the familiar places like new territory. “We tried to make it a little extra special like we were visiting," she explained. "Outside the box kind of Florida stuff."

The States They Fell In Love With

As you’d expect, each family member had favorites.

Jayson adored Southern California for its weather. "It's cool and brisk in the mornings and evenings but then doesn't get too hot, but it's still warm enough to be in a T-shirt and shorts,” he explained. He was also charmed by Vermont, saying, “I was just blown away by how pretty the mountains were up there."

Utah won points too. As Maya put it, “It wasn’t too hot, wasn’t too cold.”

Nora opted for Colorado, enchanted by Rocky Mountain National Park. "It was a little chilly that day, and it was so windy," Karina explained. "It felt like there was magic in all these trees."

New Jersey "was just right. You know when you don't notice the weather, that's when it's the perfect weather," she added.

Perhaps the most meaningful state was New Mexico, where the family's positive experience with park rangers at Carlsbad Caverns National Park inspired them to name their post-trip puppy "Ranger."

(MORE: These National Parks Turn Into Winter Wonderlands)

Weathering The Challenges

Traveling 16,000 miles in a van means weather becomes a constant companion, and sometimes an obstacle. Jayson kept the family ahead of trouble, checking the weather constantly.

North Dakota delivered the toughest conditions of the entire trip. “As soon as we got there, it was torrential downpour and it was lightning.” Karina recalled. “The universe did not want us to go to North Dakota.”

Texas delivered heat so intense that even seasoned Floridians were struggling. “We were melting,” the family said, remembering nights trying to sleep in the thick, humid air.

(MORE: These Are The Most Underrated U.S. Destinations)

The heat eventually gave way to Oregon snow and a Northern California cold snap. “It was really cold in the middle of summer,” Karina said. “We couldn’t even see the (Golden Gate) bridge because it was so foggy and so cold.”

Driving across America also exposed the family to weather moments most travelers never witness.

“We saw a double rainbow,” Maya said proudly. The family also captured photos of dozens of sunrises and sunsets, noting that the pictures never quite matched the intensity of the real thing.

Some of the most dramatic sights came during powerful thunderstorms in Minnesota and Wisconsin. “There were some absolutely stunning lightning storms,” Jayson said. “The way the lighting would rush across the sky."

How To Pack For 50 States

Karina spearheaded the practical side of the adventure. Light layers were essential.

They packed fast-drying clothes to handle everything from southern heat to chilly mountains. And since they often slept in the van, bugs were a major concern. “It was very, very important to us to time it," Karina said. "If we could feel it kind of getting a little muggy we try to turn in at a different time."

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50 States In 5 Months

When all was said and done, the LeBarons completed their journey in just five months: May through August for the mainland and Alaska, then Hawaii in October.

In the end, it wasn't just the scenery that changed, it was their perspective.

"There's so much beauty outside of your day-to-day routine that we just don't get a chance to appreciate as often," said Jayson. "That really stood out to me and I hope that it will stick with the girls."

"Everywhere we went I was like, I just want to come back," added Karine. "It was like a little sampling of so many things that kind of just left you wanting more."

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.