The Best Doughnuts In Every State Worth A Road Trip

America runs on doughnuts, and every state has that one legendary spot where locals line up before dawn and travelers plan entire detours around.

Pack your appetite and hit the road because these doughnut destinations are absolutely worth the miles.

1. The Heavenly Donut Co. (Alabama)

Alabama’s sweetest secret hides in plain sight, serving up pillowy rings of fried dough that’ll make you question every doughnut you’ve ever eaten. The glaze here isn’t just sugar – it’s practically edible silk.

Locals swear by the classic glazed, but adventurous eaters rave about seasonal specials. Early birds get the freshest batches, still warm from the fryer.

2. Golden Donuts (Alaska)

Way up north where the air is crisp and the scenery is unbeatable, Golden Donuts has been fueling adventures since forever. Their doughnuts are hefty enough to power a day of hiking or dog sledding.

The maple bars are legendary, and the fritters? Absolutely massive. Stop here before heading into the wilderness – you’ll need the energy.

3. BoSa Donuts (Arizona)

Phoenix heat meets creative genius at BoSa, where doughnuts are basically edible art. Expect unexpected flavor combos that somehow work perfectly – think fruity cereal toppings and cream fillings you’ll dream about later.

The vibe is hip without being pretentious. Grab a dozen and share, or don’t – we won’t judge your choices here.

4. Mark’s Do-Nut Shop (Arkansas)

Since the 1960s, Mark’s has been doing doughnuts the old-school way – no fancy gadgets, just pure skill and family recipes. Their buttermilk bars have a cult following that spans generations.

Everything tastes like your grandmother’s kitchen smells. The shop opens early and closes when they sell out, which happens fast on weekends.

5. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (California)

California dreaming tastes like Sidecar’s huckleberry doughnuts, made with seasonal ingredients that change as often as the Pacific tides. These aren’t your gas station grab-and-go circles of sadness.

Each doughnut is handcrafted with farmers market finds and serious creativity. Pair one with their excellent coffee and suddenly life makes sense again.

6. Habit Doughnut Dispensary (Colorado)

Denver’s doughnut game got serious when Habit opened, dispensing happiness in fried dough form. Their maple bacon long john is basically breakfast perfection, and the Oreo cookies-and-cream variety destroys any diet plans instantly.

The name’s cheeky, the flavors are bold, and the Instagram pics practically take themselves. Come hungry, leave happier.

7. Neil’s Donuts (Connecticut)

Connecticut knows doughnuts, and Neil’s proves it daily with perfectly balanced sweetness and texture. Their chocolate frosted with sprinkles might seem basic, but one bite reveals why simple done right beats fancy any day.

Cash only, no frills, just exceptional doughnuts that taste like childhood memories. The line moves fast despite constant crowds.

8. Fractured Prune (Delaware)

Born in Ocean City, Fractured Prune lets you build your own doughnut masterpiece from dozens of glazes, toppings, and drizzles. It’s like playing delicious dress-up with fried dough.

The banana cream pie combo is ridiculously good, but purists love the simple cinnamon sugar. Either way, customization is the name of this tasty game.

9. The Salty Donut (Florida)

Miami’s coolest doughnut spot balances sweet and salty like a tightrope walker in sugar-coated shoes. Their brown butter and salt doughnut is a flavor bomb that’ll ruin regular doughnuts forever.

Expect inventive monthly specials and Instagram-worthy presentations. The coffee’s excellent too, which helps justify eating three doughnuts before noon – totally reasonable.

10. Sublime Doughnuts (Georgia)

Atlanta’s doughnut royalty serves up rings so big they barely fit in the box. Sublime’s Reese’s peanut butter cup doughnut is basically dessert for dessert, and nobody’s complaining about that logic.

The variety is staggering – over thirty flavors daily. Pro tip: go with friends and share, because you’ll want to taste everything on display.

11. Leonard’s Bakery (Hawaii)

Forget everything you know about doughnuts – Leonard’s malasadas are Portuguese-style perfection without the hole. These pillowy puffs come filled with haupia, custard, or chocolate, and they’re absolute island magic.

Honolulu institution since 1952, Leonard’s draws tourists and locals alike. Grab them warm, dust your shirt with sugar, and experience pure aloha.

12. Guru Donuts (Idaho)

Boise’s breakfast scene got infinitely better when Guru opened, crafting doughnuts that are equal parts art and appetite satisfaction. The maple bacon is a regional favorite, but seasonal flavors steal the show regularly.

Everything’s made from scratch daily using local ingredients when possible. The shop’s vibe is laid-back Idaho charm with seriously ambitious flavor profiles.

13. Do-Rite Donuts (Illinois)

Chicago does everything big, and Do-Rite’s doughnuts are no exception – bold flavors, serious quality, and a commitment to doing things right. Their buttermilk old-fashioned is textbook perfection with a crispy exterior and tender inside.

Seasonal specials showcase local ingredients and chef creativity. Pair your doughnut with their excellent coffee for the ultimate Windy City breakfast.

14. Long’s Bakery (Indiana)

Indianapolis treasure since 1955, Long’s keeps it beautifully simple with recipes that haven’t changed because perfection needs no updates. Their yeast doughnuts are cloud-like, and the glazing technique is apparently some kind of sweet sorcery.

Cash only, early hours, and a neighborhood vibe that feels like visiting family. Arrive early or face disappointment – they sell out.

15. Donut Hut (Iowa)

Iowa nice meets Iowa delicious at Donut Hut, where the doughnuts are oversized and the prices are stuck in a better decade. Their cake doughnuts have that perfect crumb that makes you close your eyes with happiness.

Nothing fancy, just honest doughnuts made by folks who’ve been doing this forever. The chocolate-covered custard-filled is absolutely worth the road trip.

16. Hana’s Donuts (Kansas)

Wichita’s best-kept secret serves doughnuts so good they’ll make you reconsider your entire breakfast routine. Hana’s specializes in traditional flavors executed flawlessly – think perfectly glazed, expertly filled, and consistently delicious.

Family-owned and community-loved, this spot opens early for the morning rush. The apple fritters are roughly the size of your head and twice as satisfying.

17. North Lime Coffee & Donuts (Kentucky)

Lexington’s coolest coffee shop happens to make outstanding doughnuts that pair perfectly with their carefully sourced brews. The bourbon barrel aged coffee glazed doughnut is peak Kentucky in pastry form.

Expect rotating flavors that showcase creativity and local ingredients. The space feels like your hip friend’s living room – comfortable, welcoming, and caffeinated.

18. District Donuts Sliders Brew (Louisiana)

New Orleans does everything with flair, and District’s doughnuts are no exception – think beignet-inspired flavors with modern twists. Their salted caramel is dangerously addictive, and the seasonal king cake doughnut is Mardi Gras magic year-round.

Also serves sliders if you want savory with your sweet. The coffee’s strong enough to power through Bourbon Street recovery.

19. The Holy Donut (Maine)

Maine potatoes aren’t just for dinner – The Holy Donut proves they make incredibly moist, flavorful doughnuts with unique texture. Sounds weird, tastes amazing, and you’ll become an instant believer after one bite.

The sea salt chocolate chip is legendary among locals. Everything’s made fresh daily using local ingredients, because Maine takes its food seriously and deliciously.

20. Diablo Doughnuts (Maryland)

Baltimore’s doughnut rebel makes flavors that sound crazy until you taste them and realize genius comes in glazed form. The dulce de leche is sinfully good, and seasonal specials push boundaries while respecting your taste buds.

Small batch means everything’s fresh but limited. Get there early or follow their social media to catch special releases before they vanish.

21. Kane’s Donuts (Massachusetts)

Boston’s North Shore treasure has been frying up happiness since 1955, and their honey dip doughnut is basically edible nostalgia. Kane’s keeps it classic because when you’re this good, trends are irrelevant.

The shop’s retro vibe matches the timeless flavors. Lines form early on weekends, but they move fast and the wait’s absolutely worth your patience.

22. Avon Donuts (Michigan)

Detroit area institution serving doughnuts that define comfort food – simple, delicious, and made with obvious care. Their glazed rings are perfectly balanced sweetness, and the buttermilk bars have a devoted following spanning decades.

Nothing trendy here, just solid doughnuts made right. Open late for night owls and early birds alike, because doughnut cravings follow no schedule.

23. Glam Doll Donuts (Minnesota)

Minneapolis gets weird in the best way at Glam Doll, where doughnuts have names like Diva and flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a double-take. The Mexican hot chocolate doughnut brings perfect spice and sweetness.

Tattoos, rock music, and outstanding pastries – this isn’t your grandmother’s bakery unless your grandmother’s really cool. Vegan options available because inclusivity tastes better.

24. Tato-Nut Donut Shop (Mississippi)

Jackson’s beloved spot has been serving Southern hospitality in doughnut form for generations. Their potato doughnuts are uniquely Mississippi – moist, flavorful, and worth every calorie you’re definitely not counting today.

The shop opens ridiculously early for the serious breakfast crowd. Grab a dozen for the office and become everyone’s favorite coworker instantly.

25. John’s Donuts (Missouri)

St. Louis mornings start right at John’s, where doughnuts are made fresh hourly and the coffee’s always hot. Their glazed twist is simple perfection – crispy outside, soft inside, and impossibly addictive.

Family-run for decades, the shop feels like a neighborhood living room where everyone knows your order. Cash preferred, smiles guaranteed, doughnuts exceptional every single time.

26. Granny’s Gourmet Donuts (Montana)

Billings might not be the first place you’d expect gourmet doughnuts, but Granny’s proves Montana does everything well, including pastries. Their huckleberry glazed captures Big Sky Country in one perfect bite.

Seasonal flavors rotate with local ingredient availability. The shop’s cozy atmosphere makes lingering with coffee easy, especially when the doughnuts are this good and plentiful.

27. Olsen Bake Shop (Nebraska)

Omaha treasure since forever, Olsen’s does old-school bakery right with doughnuts, pastries, and that unmistakable smell of fresh-baked happiness. Their raised glazed doughnuts are textbook perfect – light, sweet, and completely craveable.

Everything’s made from scratch using time-tested recipes. Arrive early for best selection, stay late for the friendly conversation and community vibe.

28. Pinkbox Doughnuts (Nevada)

Vegas goes big with everything, and Pinkbox’s doughnuts are no exception – think outrageous flavors, massive sizes, and decorations that belong in an art gallery. The Birthday Cake doughnut is childhood nostalgia covered in sprinkles.

Open 24 hours because Vegas never sleeps and neither do doughnut cravings. Perfect post-casino snack or pre-adventure fuel for desert explorations nearby.

29. Brothers Donuts (New Hampshire)

New Hampshire’s doughnut scene peaks at Brothers, where consistency meets quality in every batch. Their apple cider doughnuts taste like fall in New England, even when it’s summer and you’re wearing shorts.

Family recipes and friendly service make this spot feel like home. The chocolate frosted is simple genius, and the crullers are impossibly light and crispy.

30. Uncle Dood’s Donuts (New Jersey)

Jersey Shore gets its doughnut fix at Uncle Dood’s, where creativity meets shore-town charm. The Nutella-stuffed doughnut is basically a chocolate hug, and the maple bacon balances sweet and savory like a tightrope walker.

Summer brings crowds, but the line moves quickly. Grab doughnuts before hitting the beach – you’ll need the energy for all that boardwalk walking later.

31. Rebel Donut (New Mexico)

Albuquerque’s rebel spirit lives in these doughnuts, which incorporate New Mexican flavors like green chile and chocolate. Yes, chile doughnuts exist, and yes, they’re surprisingly amazing if you’re brave enough.

The shop embraces local ingredients and bold experimentation. Not everything’s spicy – plenty of classic options exist for those who prefer traditional sweetness over adventure.

32. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop (New York)

Brooklyn institution since 1953, Peter Pan feels frozen in time – pink boxes, vintage decor, and doughnuts that taste like New York history. Their honey dip is simple perfection that needs no Instagram filter.

Cash only, no seating, just pure doughnut excellence. The shop opens early for the neighborhood regulars who’ve been coming here for literally decades.

33. Britt’s Donuts (North Carolina)

Carolina Beach boardwalk legend since 1939, Britt’s serves exactly one thing – hot glazed doughnuts – and does it perfectly. The recipe hasn’t changed because perfection needs no tweaking or modern updates.

Watch them fry through the window, then devour yours immediately while they’re still warm. Summer lines stretch forever, but moving quickly because everyone wants these iconic treats.

34. Sandy’s Donuts (North Dakota)

Fargo’s breakfast champion serves doughnuts that warm you up during brutal prairie winters. Sandy’s glazed old-fashioned has that perfect crack when you bite through the exterior, revealing tender cake inside.

Locals swear by the bismarks – cream-filled pillows of happiness. The shop’s been family-owned forever, and that personal touch shows in every single batch made daily.

35. Buckeye Donuts (Ohio)

Columbus institution near Ohio State campus, Buckeye’s has fueled students and locals since 1969. Open 24 hours, because doughnut emergencies don’t follow business hours and college kids keep weird schedules anyway.

Their apple fritters are legendary – massive, crispy-edged, and packed with fruit. After-bar crowds mix with early-morning joggers in this wonderfully weird doughnut democracy.

36. Polar Donuts (Oklahoma)

Tulsa’s doughnut royalty keeps things refreshingly simple – excellent doughnuts, fair prices, and genuine hospitality. Their chocolate iced cake doughnut hits that perfect balance between rich and not-too-sweet that’s surprisingly hard to achieve.

Family recipes passed down through generations ensure consistency. The shop opens early and the doughnuts disappear fast, so plan accordingly for your visit.

37. Blue Star Donuts (Oregon)

Portland’s doughnut scene is competitive, but Blue Star stands out with brioche-based doughnuts that are richer, denser, and more complex than typical offerings. The blueberry bourbon basil sounds fancy because it is – and it’s phenomenal.

Expect seasonal flavors using local ingredients and creative combinations. These aren’t quick breakfast grab-and-go items; they’re pastries worth savoring slowly with excellent coffee.

38. Beiler’s Doughnuts (Pennsylvania)

Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market houses this Amish-run stand making doughnuts the traditional way – simple ingredients, expert technique, no shortcuts. Their cinnamon sugar cake doughnuts are impossibly fresh and ridiculously delicious.

Watch them make doughnuts right in front of you. Everything sells out quickly because quality this obvious attracts crowds, so arrive early for best selection.

39. PVDonuts (Rhode Island)

Providence’s doughnut darling crafts unique flavors that change with the seasons and the baker’s inspiration. The brown butter hazelnut is sophisticated comfort food, and the maple bacon is Rhode Island’s answer to breakfast perfection.

Small shop, big flavors, and a commitment to quality ingredients. Follow their social media for flavor updates because the menu evolves constantly and deliciously.

40. Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts (South Carolina)

Charleston’s sweetest spot elevates doughnuts to gourmet status without losing that Southern charm. Their key lime pie doughnut tastes like coastal Carolina summer, and the bourbon caramel is sophisticated indulgence in fried dough form.

Everything’s made fresh daily using premium ingredients. The shop’s cute as a button and the doughnuts photograph beautifully before you devour them completely.

41. Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts (South Dakota)

Rapid City’s beloved bakery does doughnuts the way grandma would – honest ingredients, time-tested recipes, and love baked into every batch. Their old-fashioned sour cream doughnuts have texture that modern shortcuts can’t replicate successfully.

Also famous for cakes, but the doughnuts deserve equal attention. Arrive before noon or risk finding empty trays instead of breakfast happiness.

42. Gibson’s Donuts (Tennessee)

Memphis institution since 1967, Gibson’s serves doughnuts that taste like Tennessee morning sunshine. Their chocolate iced with sprinkles might seem basic, but execution matters more than complexity when you’re this good.

The shop’s retro vibe matches the timeless flavors perfectly. Local celebrities and regular folks line up together because excellent doughnuts create democracy in delicious form.

43. Round Rock Donuts (Texas)

Texas does everything bigger, and Round Rock’s doughnuts are comically oversized rings of glazed perfection. Their original glazed is legendary – crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and enough sweetness to fuel a day of Texas adventures.

Been baking since 1926 using the same recipe. Tourists buy dozens to take home, locals grab them fresh for breakfast, and everyone leaves happy and probably sticky.

44. Banbury Cross Donuts (Utah)

Salt Lake City’s doughnut destination since 1973, Banbury Cross makes everything from scratch daily. Their apple fritters are roughly the size of Utah’s mountains, and the buttermilk bars have a devoted following.

Family-owned through multiple generations, the recipes haven’t changed because they’re already perfect. Early birds get the freshest selection, but honestly everything’s good here regardless.

45. Cold Hollow Cider Mill (Vermont)

Vermont’s famous cider mill makes apple cider doughnuts that define fall in New England—even when it’s not autumn outside. Fresh pressed cider goes into the batter, creating impossibly moist doughnuts with real apple flavor.

Watch them fry through big windows while sampling cider. The smell alone is worth the trip, but eating them warm is pure Vermont magic captured perfectly.

46. Sugar Shack Donuts (Virginia)

Richmond’s breakfast scene changed forever when Sugar Shack opened, bringing creative flavors and quality ingredients to the doughnut game. Their French toast doughnut is breakfast inception – doughnut flavored like French toast, which is basically fried bread anyway.

Vegan options available that actually taste amazing. The shop’s bright, cheerful, and always crowded with folks who appreciate seriously good doughnuts done creatively.

47. Top Pot Doughnuts (Washington)

Seattle’s doughnut royalty hand-forges each doughnut – yes, forges, like blacksmiths but with dough and sugar. Their old-fashioned is perfectly crispy outside with that signature crack, revealing tender cake within.

Pairs perfectly with Seattle’s legendary coffee culture. The shops feel like libraries with doughnuts – cozy, welcoming, and filled with people reading while eating pastries contentedly.

48. JR’s Donut Castle (West Virginia)

Charleston’s castle of carbs serves doughnuts worthy of royalty – if royalty appreciated simple pleasures done exceptionally well. Their glazed doughnuts are cloud-like, and the filled varieties are generously stuffed with cream or jelly.

Mountain state hospitality meets breakfast excellence here. The shop opens early for miners and early risers, continuing a tradition of fueling hard workers properly.

49. Greenbush Bakery (Wisconsin)

Madison’s breakfast institution has been baking since 1946, and their doughnuts taste like Wisconsin morning tradition. The bismarks are legendary – cream-filled perfection that requires napkins and possibly a bib for dignity preservation.

Also famous for breads and pastries, but don’t sleep on the doughnuts. Everything’s made from scratch using recipes that work perfectly, so why change them now?

50. Cowboy Donuts (Wyoming)

Wyoming’s wide-open spaces meet sweet breakfast treats at Cowboy Donuts, where portions are generous and flavors are honest. Their cinnamon rolls are technically not doughnuts but deserve honorable mention for being absolutely massive.

The glazed doughnuts are classic cowboy fuel – simple, satisfying, and substantial enough for ranch work or Yellowstone adventures. Friendly service makes every visitor feel like a regular customer instantly.