Race Across the USA

Race Across the USA

Learn important facts about each state as you Race Across the USA. Included are two sets of question cards: one set for 3rd and 4th grade level, and one set for 5th and up. 

The game board is rectangular, brightly colored and measures about 20" x 10". There are six different colors for the states and each state on the board shows the state name and something associated with that state. For instance New Mexico is pictured with a chili pepper and Wisconsin with cheese. Several major rivers and bodies of water are labeled.

The state cards measure about 2.25" square. Each card pictures the state, capital name and the nickname for the state on one side and a fact and matching illustration about the state on the other. There are 50 cards, one for each state, so two players will never be going for the same state.

The question cards measure 3 3/8" x 2 1/4".  Each card has a question on each side and most of the answers are multiple choice. The questions and answers are printed in black ink except for the correct answer, which is printed in blue ink. Someone else must read the question to the player so they don't see the answer. Questions are divided into two different age (grade) groups. Here are examples:

• 3th and 4th grade
• Which of these states shares the longest border with Canada? (Alaska)
• St. Augustine was the first permanent European settlement in the US and is now a city south of Jacksonville. In which state is it located? Florida)
• 5th and up
• Which are farther west: the Central Plains of the Great Plains? (Great Plains)
• What city was largely destroyed by the Great Fire of 1871? (Chicago)

The score cards are all the same and each has six blocks of color where the six state cards will be placed as you reach each one (see image above). They measure 5.5" x 8.5".

The pawns are plastic airplanes and included is a typical 6-sided die.

Object:
Be the first player to collect 6 state cards and return to your home state.

Setup:
Place the board between the players. Give each player a score card. Decide which question cards you will be using, shuffle those cards and put them near the board. Divide the states into piles by color (6) and deal one state card of each color to each player. Players look at their state cards and the game board, plotting the quickest route to reach all six. Each player chooses a pawn and puts it on their home state on the game board.

Play:
Players take turns. Throw the die and move that number of states in a direction that will help you reach one of your states. If you do not land on a state that you have a state card for, your turn is over. If you do land on a state you have a state card for, pick the top card off the question pile and give it to the person on your left to read. If you answer the question correctly, put that state card on your score card and your turn is over. If you do not answer correctly your turn is over. On your next turn you may stay put, without throwing the die, and try answering another question. Play until someone has moved all of their six state cards to their score card and returns to their home state, winning the game.


In the box: Game board, 4 airplane pawns, 110 question cards for 3rd and 4th grades, 110 question cards for 5th grade and up, 50 state cards, 4 score cards, 1 die

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.