Well, there's a big fucking river—so that helps.

In CA there's this injury lawyer who has billboards all over highway 101 from San Francisco to San Diego. Hundreds of billboards. His name on the billboards is Sweet James and he has a pony tail. Sweet James. I don't know how a lawyer could become so seemingly popular while using that name.

Highways go from being free to costing money (Illinois )

This is perfect, because I vaguely remember the Virginia signs reading, “ speed enforced by aircraft.”

West Coast perspective:

• Siskiyou Pass is both the biggest change in elevation and steepest grade on I-5
• the grass is literally greener on the OR side. CA is known for its golden grass that is much dryer (hence the Golden Gate. As a child I was disappointed that it is painted orange and not gold)
• Agricultural Inspection Station mentioned in another comment (only when traveling into CA)
• not a huge cultural difference between upper NorCal and Southern Oregon though

Further north...

• crossing the Columbia, the biggest river in the region, also has one of only several interstate draw bridges in the US. Prepare to be stuck in traffic if you're remotely close to rush hour
• No sales tax in OR means there are large malls immediately off the first OR exits. Likewise there isn't a single Best Buy in Vancouver because everyone drives across the river to dodge sales tax for big ticket items

I often get away with taking the hose out when the pump is done, they don’t seem to care about that. Usually quicker than waiting for them to walk back to my car. Only time I appreciate the full service is when it’s cold as fuck out or just bad weather in general.

One of the many great things about Vermont

Lmao I was driving about 16 hours solo to get back to Michigan. Legitimately immediately after crossing the Ohio to Michigan border, the road contrast was so incredibly stark lol. Immediate potholes everywhere.

I cross a bridge over a river

I had that driving into a new county by the coastline. Right at the county line it was like a sheet of rain pulled across the road.

I knew a family who's house was in New York and the backyard was in New Jersey. No, you couldn't tell.

There's a big ass river, so on this side of it you're in IL and the other side is IA.

oh yeah, that happens here too, just not as much because our counties usually have the same funding and contractors

What part of Jersey? Just curious. I will say, I’ve been happy with the NJ plastic bag ban because it’s helped some. Still wayyy too many people around here that don’t give a shit and litter.

We have great corn, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries. It’s not all sprawl

You gotta pay to leave NJ regardless of which way you go which I think is funny. Makes me think of a Bronx tale; “now youse can’t leave”

I live close to the Louisiana border, so I know I'm in LA when the roads turn to shit.

"If youre good at something, dont do it for free."

The other big thing for knowing I'm in Illinois is seeing gasoline and diesel prices significantly higher than in my state. It's not just fossil fuels either, charging my EV in Illinois makes it cost more than fueling my wife's SUV in my state and driving the same trip. The roads aren't much better either for the higher taxes either.

Totally agree. It's just sad to see the extent of the sprawl with seemingly no regard for anything except "development."