Rough Country’s Guide to the Top Off-Road Vehicles in Every State

From the legendary Bronco to the workhorse F-150, Ford dominates in 28 states—more than half the country. Whether you’re rock-crawling in Moab, blasting through Texas ranch land, or braving the backwoods of Maine, Ford trucks and SUVs keep proving they belong in the dirt.

States where Ford reigns supreme:

• Southern Trails & Mud Runs: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas
• Mountain Climbers & High Plains Drifters: Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
• East Coast Explorers: Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
• Western Warriors: California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah
• Rust Belt & Heartland Toughness: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin

Why Ford?

• Built for the Wild: The Bronco’s G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes make trailblazing easier than ever.
• Classic Toughness: The F-150 is America's best-selling truck for a reason—it's ready to haul, tow, and tackle trails straight from the factory.
• Mod-Ready: Whether you're lifting it, throwing on bigger tires, or adding a winch, Ford rigs take mods like a champ.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 isn’t just for job sites—it’s a trail-eating machine in the right setup. Midwest off-roaders love this truck because it blends power, reliability, and good old-fashioned grit.

States where Chevy is king:

• Midwest Strongholds: Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio

Why the Silverado 1500?

• Trail-Built Torque: Available with a 6.2L V8 or Duramax diesel, the Silverado delivers the muscle needed for rough terrain.
• America’s Workhorse: Hauling a trailer to a weekend overlanding spot? No problem. Throwing a rooftop tent on top for elevated camping? Even better.

Toyota's reputation for reliability and trail-conquering capability makes it a favorite from coast to coast.

Toyota RAV4: The Urban Adventurer

For the Northeast, where rugged trails meet urban streets, the RAV4 is a go-to choice.

States where the RAV4 leads:

• Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey

Toyota Tacoma: The Trailblazer’s Choice

For drivers who like rock-crawling in Arizona, overlanding in Hawaii, or mudding in Florida, the Tacoma wins every time.

States where the Tacoma rules:

• Arizona, Hawaii, Florida

Why Toyota?

• Built to Last: A Tacoma or RAV4 will outlive your grandpa’s hunting boots.
• Trail-Ready, But Customizable: The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims come packed with factory-installed features like skid plates, crawl control, and locking rear differentials. But why stop there? You can build it exactly how you want with easy upgrades like lift kits, bumpers, and more.
• Resale King: You’ll get top dollar if you ever decide to sell—but why would you?

Subaru isn’t just for college towns and national park parking lots. The Subaru Outback has AWD, solid ground clearance, and a cult following that knows how to send it off-road.

States where Subaru dominates:

• Big Terrain, Big Fun: Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington

Why the Outback?

• AWD for Days: Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system provides grip in snow, mud, and loose gravel.
• High Clearance, Low Drama: With up to 9.5 inches of clearance, it’s sneakily capable—but throw on a lift kit, and it levels up to serious off-road status.
• Roof Racks for Everything: Whether you need a rooftop tent or extra fuel cans, the Outback has space up top.

Ram Bull Bar

We grouped Ram and GMC because they know how to bring the heat with off-road powerhouses.

Ram 1500: The Desert Dominator

Top state: Nevada—because nothing screams desert domination like a Ram 1500 kicking up dust outside of Vegas.

GMC Sierra 1500: The Rugged Performer

Top state: Arkansas—where rough backroads and muddy trails demand serious off-road capability.

Why Ram & GMC?

• Off-Road Focused Trims: The Ram Rebel and GMC AT4 trims come ready for dirt with factory lift kits and all-terrain tires.
• Comfort Meets Capability: You can tow your camper and ride in style.

No matter where your off-road adventures take you, there’s a vehicle built for the challenge.  From Ford’s all-American grit to Toyota’s unshakable reliability, each ride brings something different to the table.

So, what’s your pick? Are you rolling in a built Bronco, a lifted Silverado, or a trail-ready Tacoma? Drop a comment below and tell us which rig rules the dirt where you live!

Disclaimer: The rankings and vehicle popularity data referenced in this article are based on information from Road & Track and J.D. Power. Vehicle choices for off-roading can vary based on terrain, driving style, and custom modifications.