All 50 United States License Plates Ranked

License Search
7 min readJun 24, 2023

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License plates are not only a legal requirement for vehicles but also serve as a canvas for states to showcase their unique identities. From stunning designs to creative slogans, license plates across the United States reflect the culture, history, and natural beauty of each state. In this article, we will rank all 50 United States license plates based on their aesthetics, creativity, and overall visual appeal. So, let’s dive in and explore the diverse world of American license plates!

1. Wyoming

Wyoming license plate — Wyoming takes the top spot with its iconic “Bucking Horse and Rider” design. The plate’s simple yet powerful image captures the essence of the state’s rugged and adventurous spirit.

2. Colorado

Colorado secures the second position with its captivating “Mountains” design. The plate features a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains against a vibrant sky, symbolizing the state’s breathtaking landscapes.

3. Hawaii

Hawaii’s license plate takes the third spot with its vibrant rainbow design, representing the state’s natural beauty and diversity. The plate instantly evokes a sense of aloha and tropical paradise.

4. Utah

Utah’s license plate grabs the fourth spot with its striking “Delicate Arch” design. The plate showcases one of Utah’s most famous landmarks and serves as a testament to the state’s unique geology.

5. Arizona

Arizona’s license plate secures the fifth position with its captivating sunset backdrop and the silhouette of the iconic saguaro cactus. The plate perfectly captures the beauty of Arizona’s desert landscapes.

6. New Mexico

New Mexico’s license plate grabs the sixth spot with its enchanting “Zia Sun Symbol” design. The plate features a red sun symbol against a yellow background, representing the state’s rich Native American heritage.

7. Oregon

Oregon’s license plate takes the seventh position with its picturesque “Crater Lake” design. The plate showcases the stunning blue waters of Crater Lake, a natural wonder nestled in the state’s Cascade Mountains.

8. California

California secures the eighth spot with its classic and instantly recognizable “California” script. The simple yet iconic design represents the state’s vibrant and influential culture.

9. Montana

Montana’s license plate grabs the ninth position with its majestic “Big Sky Country” design. The plate features a beautiful landscape, with mountains, a river, and a soaring eagle, embodying the state’s unspoiled wilderness.

10. Maine

Maine’s license plate takes the tenth spot with its charming depiction of a lighthouse against a scenic coastal backdrop. The plate captures the state’s maritime heritage and natural beauty.

11. Alaska

Alaska secures the eleventh position with its awe-inspiring “Denali” design. The Alaska License plate showcases the snow-capped peak of Denali, the highest mountain in North America, representing Alaska’s wild and untamed landscapes.

12. Washington

Washington’s license plate grabs the twelfth spot with its captivating “Evergreen State” design. The plate features a majestic evergreen tree, symbolizing the state’s abundant forests and natural resources.

13. Tennessee

Tennessee takes the thirteenth position with its dynamic “Music City” design. The plate pays homage to Nashville, the state’s capital and a hub of music, with vibrant musical notes and a guitar.

14. Vermont

Vermont’s license plate secures the fourteenth spot with its picturesque depiction of the state’s iconic covered bridge against a backdrop of mountains and rolling hills.

15. Texas

Texas grabs the fifteenth position with its bold and distinctive Lone Star design. The plate’s simplicity and powerful symbolism represent the state’s proud and independent spirit.

16. Michigan

Michigan’s license plate takes the sixteenth spot with its appealing “Great Lakes Splendor” design. The plate showcases the beauty of Michigan’s lakeshores, with a picturesque lighthouse and a sailboat.

17. New York

New York secures the seventeenth position with its iconic “Empire State” design. The plate features the state’s skyline, including the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline, representing the state’s global significance.

18. North Carolina

North Carolina’s license plate grabs the eighteenth spot with its captivating depiction of the state bird, the cardinal, against a vibrant backdrop of dogwood flowers.

19. Idaho

Idaho License Plate — Idaho takes the nineteenth position with its scenic “Famous Potatoes” design. The plate showcases Idaho’s agricultural heritage with a beautiful image of potatoes and a mountain landscape.

20. Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s license plate secures the twentieth spot with its striking “Native America” design. The plate features a vibrant image of a Native American dancer against a traditional background, celebrating the state’s rich Indigenous culture.

21. Kentucky

Kentucky license plate — Kentucky grabs the twenty-first position with its dynamic “Unbridled Spirit” design. The plate showcases a horse against a backdrop of rolling hills, representing the state’s equestrian heritage and natural beauty.

22. Louisiana

Louisiana takes the twenty-second spot with its lively “Sportsman’s Paradise” design. The plate features a picturesque scene of a heron and a cypress swamp, symbolizing the state’s diverse wildlife and outdoor recreational opportunities.

23. Indiana

Indiana’s license plate grabs the twenty-third position with its appealing “Crossroads of America” design. The plate showcases the state’s dynamic road network, representing its central location and transportation infrastructure.

24. South Dakota

South Dakota secures the twenty-fourth spot with its captivating “Mount Rushmore” design. The plate features the iconic faces of Mount Rushmore, paying homage to the state’s rich history and natural landmarks.

25. Nevada

Nevada’s license plate takes the twenty-fifth position with its vibrant “Battle Born” design. The plate showcases the state’s nickname and features a stunning desert landscape, reflecting Nevada’s resilient spirit.

26. Mississippi

Mississippi grabs the twenty-sixth spot with its charming “Birthplace of America’s Music” design. The plate pays tribute to the state’s rich musical heritage, featuring a guitar and a riverboat.

27. Alabama

Alabama takes the twenty-seventh position with its picturesque “Sweet Home Alabama” design. The plate showcases a scenic river view against a backdrop of rolling hills, representing the state’s natural beauty.

28. Iowa

Iowa’s license plate secures the twenty-eighth spot with its appealing “City and Country Reimagined” design. The plate combines urban and rural elements, representing Iowa’s unique blend of city life and agricultural landscapes.

29. Rhode Island

Rhode Island grabs the twenty-ninth position with its charming depiction of the state’s iconic Newport Bridge against a backdrop of sailboats and a vibrant sunset.

30. Arkansas

Arkansas takes the thirtieth spot with its captivating “The Natural State” design. The plate features a scenic river view and a diamond, symbolizing the state’s natural beauty and diamond mining history.

31. Maryland

Maryland’s license plate secures the thirty-first spot with its distinctive “Treasure the Chesapeake” design. The plate showcases the Chesapeake Bay and the state’s famous blue crab, celebrating Maryland’s rich maritime heritage.

32. New Hampshire

New Hampshire grabs the thirty-second position with its picturesque depiction of the state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” against a backdrop of the White Mountains and a vibrant sunrise.

33. Nebraska

Nebraska takes the thirty-third spot with its captivating “The Good Life” design. The plate showcases a beautiful image of a sunset over a scenic landscape, representing the state’s quality of life.

34. Missouri

Missouri’s license plate secures the thirty-fourth spot with its dynamic “Show-Me State” design. The plate features a stylized rendering of the Gateway Arch and a bluebird, representing the state’s iconic landmarks and wildlife.

35. West Virginia

West Virginia grabs the thirty-fifth position with its scenic depiction of the state’s mountainous landscapes and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.

36. Connecticut

Connecticut license plate — Connecticut takes the thirty-sixth spot with its appealing depiction of the state’s iconic lighthouse against a backdrop of sailboats and a vibrant sunset.

37. South Carolina

South Carolina’s license plate secures the thirty-seventh spot with its captivating “Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places” design. The plate features a charming image of a palm tree against a vibrant sunrise, representing the state’s warm hospitality and natural beauty.

38. North Dakota

North Dakota grabs the thirty-eighth position with its picturesque “Discover the Spirit” design. The plate features a majestic bison against a backdrop of rolling hills, symbolizing the state’s rugged landscapes and wildlife.

39. Delaware

Delaware takes the thirty-ninth spot with its captivating “The First State” design. The plate features an image of historic Delaware and a soaring eagle, representing the state’s rich history and patriotic spirit.

40. Minnesota

Minnesota’s license plate secures the fortieth spot with its charming depiction of a loon against a scenic lake backdrop, symbolizing the state’s abundant natural resources.

41. Virginia

Virginia license plate — Virginia grabs the forty-first position with its captivating “Virginia Is for Lovers” design. The plate showcases the state’s famous slogan and features a vibrant image of a cardinal, Virginia’s state bird.

42. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania takes the forty-second spot with its appealing depiction of the state’s iconic Liberty Bell against a backdrop of rolling hills and a vibrant sunrise.

43. Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s license plate secures the forty-third spot with its dynamic “America’s Dairyland” design. The plate showcases a picturesque landscape, a cow, and a wheel of cheese, representing Wisconsin’s thriving dairy industry.

44. Ohio

Ohio grabs the forty-fourth position with its appealing depiction of the state’s iconic Wright Brothers’ plane against a backdrop of clouds and a vibrant sunrise.

45. Kansas

Kansas takes the forty-fifth spot with its captivating “Ad Astra Per Aspera” design. The plate features a scenic landscape and the state motto, representing Kansas’s pioneering spirit.

46. Georgia

Georgia’s license plate secures the forty-sixth spot with its striking depiction of the state’s iconic peach against a vibrant blue background, symbolizing Georgia’s agricultural heritage.

47. Illinois

Illinois grabs the forty-seventh position with its appealing depiction of the state’s iconic Chicago skyline against a backdrop of rolling hills and a vibrant sunset.

48. New Jersey

New Jersey takes the forty-eighth spot with its captivating depiction of the state’s iconic Liberty State Park against a backdrop of sailboats and a vibrant sunset.

49. Florida

Florida’s license plate secures the forty-ninth spot with its appealing depiction of the state’s vibrant orange against a backdrop of a sunny beach and palm trees, representing Florida’s tropical charm.

50. Massachusetts

Massachusetts grabs the fiftieth position with its simple yet classic depiction of the state’s name against a backdrop of sailboats and a serene ocean.

Please note that this ranking is subjective and based on visual appeal and creativity. Different individuals may have different opinions on the ranking of license plates.

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