Growing up, you probably played some version of the license plate game. You know, the one where you stare out the window and try to find as many different state plates as possible. And for the most part, you probably did pretty well—especially if you lived in a state with lots of neighbor states or in one with tons of transplants. Because when it comes down to it, all that game takes is a bit of concentration and luck.
So if you’re ready to take things up a notch, try our license plate game. To make this quiz, we rounded up every state license plate and made each state’s name disappear. Can you identify your state? What about all 50? Whether you aced the car game you played as a kid or not, we’re guessing you’ll struggle with at least a few of these (and we promise, they’re as close to up-to-date as we could find).
Hint: The Douglas fir is this state’s official state tree, but redwoods, ponderosa pine, and red cedar are also common here.
That’s Oregon, where around 60 percent of the state is covered in forest!
Hint: The world’s “most perfect” diamond, the Strawn-Wagner Diamond, was found in this state.
That’s Arkansas, where you can search for diamonds yourself at the very park where the Strawn-Wagner was discovered.
Hint: This state also claims to have “The Greatest Snow On Earth.”
That’s Utah, where you’ll find both the Great Basin Desert and some of the best skiing in the country.
Hint: It’s also called the “Nutmeg State.”
That’s Connecticut, the state whose Fundamental Orders of 1638 was the first written constitution in history.
Hint: This state’s official state drink is orange juice; its official state flower is the orange blossom.
That’s Florida, which produces more than 70 percent of the country’s supply of citrus.
Hint: The first reference to the “Garden State” nickname was in 1876, more than a century after this state became the third to ratify the Constitution.
That’s New Jersey, a state that still has no idea how it got its nickname, according to its official website.
Hint: One of the most enchanting events in this state might be its annual hot-air balloon festival.
That’s New Mexico, home to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place every October.
Hint: The state flower is a pinecone and the state bird is a black-capped chickadee (as seen here on its license plate).
That’s Maine, the only state to select an official state flower that isn’t a flower!
Hint: About 67 percent of this state is covered in forests.
That’s Alabama, a state whose license plate was designed to be reflective of the scenery in north Alabama.
Hint: This state sees only minor changes in temperature throughout the year, but you’re most likely to catch a rainbow between October and April, its rainy “winter” season.
That’s Hawaii, home to perpetual beautiful weather!
Hint: This state produces nearly a third of all potatoes grown in the United States.
That’s our own private Idaho, the potato oasis!
Hint: The state motto is “Montani Semper Liberi” or “Mountaineers are always free.”
That’s West Virginia, or the “Mountain State,” which has the highest average elevation above sea level of any state east of the Mississippi River.
Hint: The 1976 Winter Olympics was almost held in this winter wonderland of a state, but residents voted against it.
That’s Colorado, which is home to Longs Peak, the highest point in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hint: The Wright brothers made the first controlled aircraft flights in this state.
That’s North Carolina, and the first flight took place in Kill Devil Hills, on December 17, 1903.
Hint: The covered bridge illustrated on this license plate is this state’s most famous covered bridge; the town it’s in considers itself “The Covered Bridge Capital of the World.”
That’s Indiana, and the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World” is Parke County.
Hint: This state is also known as the “Cowboy State.”
That’s Wyoming, where the official state sport is rodeo.
Hint: This state produces the most corn in the United States.
That’s Iowa, a state that produces some 18 percent of the country’s corn.
Hint: You might associate this state more with its famous jazz festival than with its hunting and fishing scene.
That’s Louisiana, which is called the “Sportsman’s Paradise” because its bayous, swamps, and marshes offer unique fishing and hunting opportunities.
Hint: This state is known as the “Bluegrass State.”
That’s Kentucky, which is called the “Bluegrass State” because of the bluegrass you’ll find in its pastures.
Hint: The chocolate-chip cookie was invented in this truly revolutionary state.
That’s Massachusetts, which is also the birthplace of the lightning rod, bifocals, and, of course, the American Revolution.
Hint: The capital of this state is its 10th largest city.
That’s Pennsylvania, whose capital city is Harrisburg (population 49,000)!
Hint: There are actually 11,842 lakes here.
That’s Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
Hint: This state might be best known for its delicious cheese.
That’s Wisconsin, which produces 26.2 percent of the country’s cheese and 14.2 percent of its milk.
Hint: This state is named after Virginia’s first colonial governor.
That’s Delaware, named after Sir Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr.
Hint: This state was made the official 24th state on August 10, 1821.
That’s Missouri, which was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
Hint: The official state bird of this state is the Western Meadowlark (seen here on its license plate). The state, on the other hand, lies in both the Great Plains and the Midwestern United States.
That’s Nebraska, otherwise known as the “Cornhusker State.”
Hint: This state’s nickname was developed by its highway department in reference to its stunning unobstructed skyline.
That’s Montana, and the nickname originated in 1962.
Hint: This state shares a park, called the “International Peace Garden,” with Canada.
That’s North Dakota, and you’ll find the International Peace Garden in Rolette County (as well as in the Municipality of Boissevain in Morton, Canada.)
Hint: It’s also the state where you’ll find the easternmost and westernmost points in the country.
That’s Alaska, dubbed the “Last Frontier” because of its rugged landscape and harsh climate.
Hint: The Wright bothers called this state home.
That’s Ohio, a state Congress officially declared the “birthplace of aviation,” since Wilbur and Orville Wright lived in Dayton.
Hint: Thirty-nine Native American tribes call this state home.
That’s Oklahoma, and the statue on this license plate is by Native American artist Allan Houser; it’s called the “Sacred Rain Arrow.”
Hint: Although it was one of the 13 colonies, no battles were fought in this state.
That’s New Hampshire, and this quote was originally said by General John Stark, a New Hampshire-born war hero and leader in the Continental Army. The full quote is: “Live free or die. Death is not the greatest of evils.”
Hint: The state name starts with an ‘M.’
That’s Maryland, and its state flag features the shield from the coat of arms of the Calvert-Crossland families of Sir George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore and secretary of state for King James I.
Hint: This state is the smallest state by area.
That’s Rhode Island, called the “Ocean State” for its bays, inlets, and rich nautical history.
Hint: The palmetto tree seen here is this state’s official state tree.
That’s South Carolina, and this motif also appears on its state flag.
Hint: In this state, you’ll find saguaro cacti (seen here on its license plate) as tall as 60 feet.
That’s Arizona, and we’re hoping this one was a dead giveaway!
Hint: This state nickname dates back to the War of 1812.
That’s Tennessee, which got its nickname when its volunteer soldiers valiantly fought in the Battle of New Orleans.
Hint: Seventy-one streets in this state’s capital city include the word “Peachtree” in their names.
That’s Georgia, otherwise known as “The Peach State!”
Hint: Jazz, gospel, country, bluegrass, and rock ‘n’ roll all have roots in this southern state.
That’s Mississippi, the birthplace of B.B. King, “The King of the Blues.” And for the top celeb from your own state, be sure to check our list of The Most Famous Celebrity From Every State.
Hint: One city in this state makes up more than 40 percent of its population.
That’s New York, otherwise known as the Empire State!
Hint: It’s got an 840-mile coastline.
That’s California, the “Golden State!”
Hint: The state song is “These Green Mountains.”
That’s Vermont, called the “Green Mountain State” for its iconic Green Mountain range.
Hint: The state’s name originates from the Ojibwe word for “large water” or “large lake.”
That’s Michigan, otherwise known as “The Great Lakes State.”
Hint: In addition to a famous mountain range, this state is also home to around 4,000 caves, several of which are popular tourist attractions.
That’s Virginia, and those are the Blue Ridge mountains.
Hint: This state is called the “Silver State” because of the silver rush that took place there in the mid-1800s.
That’s Nevada, a state that also produced 77 percent of the country’s gold in 2015.
Hint: The monument is in the Black Hills mountain range.
That’s South Dakota, home to Mount Rushmore!
Hint: Abraham Lincoln began his political career in this state, but he wasn’t born there.
That’s Illinois, and you can still visit the Lincoln Home National Historic Site today!
Hint: This nickname was proposed in 1890 because of the state’s evergreen trees and year-round green shrubs and grasses.
That’s Washington, which is green year-round due to an abundance of rainy weather!
Hint: The seal reads “Ad Astra Per Aspera.”
That’s Kansas, and that Latin phrase translates to “to the stars through difficulties.”
Hint: C’mon! It’s the “Lone Star State!”
Hopefully, you got this one! And for more Texas trivia, check out these 25 Crazy Facts About Texas.
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