Best VPNs for different states: access state-restricted content in 2026

Many US platforms, such as sports betting apps and streaming services, restrict access based on your state of residence. Using a VPN lets you change your IP address and access content available only in states like New Jersey, Michigan, and California. Based on my experience, NordVPN is the best VPN for different states, as it has fast and secure servers in all 50 US states and is more than capable of unblocking geo-restricted sites.

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VPN usage is consistently growing across all US states, as many sports betting platforms, streaming services, and online gambling apps adopt state-level geo-restrictions. Sites and platforms impose such blocks primarily based on state laws. This means that while you are located in your state, you may not be able to access services available in another state.

I found the easiest way to solve this issue is to use a reliable VPN to change my IP address, so I can appear to be browsing from a different US state. In this guide, I’ll recommend the best VPNs for different US states, explain how they work, which services they can unlock, and the easiest way to use them.

Best VPNs for different US states (Quick answer)

Try it first: NordVPN is the overall best VPN for different states, covering all 50 of them with high-speed, secure servers. You can try NordVPN completely risk-free with a 3-day free trial on Android devices, or extend the test trial with the 30-day money-back guarantee, available to all users.

Key benefits of using a VPN with multi-state US servers

A VPN with servers in different states lets you appear to be located in those states by changing your IP address. This is very useful when you want to access state-level restricted services, local content, and platforms that vary by location. Here are the key benefits you can expect from using a VPN with multi-state US servers:

• Sports betting. In the US, sports betting platforms are regulated at the state level. This means that services like DraftKings or BetMGM are only accessible in states where online betting is legal. For you, this means that accessing these sites heavily depends on your physical location. A VPN can solve this issue by allowing you to connect to a server in a state where sports betting is legal, which makes it appear as though you are accessing the platform from a legal state.
• Online casinos. Similar to sports betting platforms, real-money casinos are also heavily restricted, with only a few US states allowing access to fully regulated platforms. So, if you are located outside of the online casino-legal states, you will be restricted from accessing them. Here, a VPN can help you switch your location to a state where online casinos are legal. Again, this can allow you to access such platforms as if you were actually located in that state.
• Online poker. In the US, online poker is only available to users in a handful of states, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, where it is legal. Naturally, this heavily limits your access if you’re outside of these states. Similar to other VPNs for different state use cases, this technology can also help you change your virtual location to an online poker-legal US state, allowing you to access the platforms as if you were actually located there.
• Streaming blackouts. Sports streaming services often face regional blackouts due to local broadcast agreements. This means that even though you may have a valid subscription to a streaming service, some of the games will still be blacked out for you. Here, a VPN can help you switch your location to another state based on the sports event availability and watch it with your subscription without needing an additional streaming service.
• Ticket sales and event access. Some ticketing platforms and event streams restrict access or adjust pricing based on your location. This means you may not be able to access some events or end up overpaying for others, just because of your location. By using a VPN to switch your location to another state, you can access alternative availability or pricing as available in that state.

Overall, a VPN for different states allows you much more flexibility in accessing US-based services, platforms, and gambling sites, without ever needing to physically switch locations.

US states where VPN location matters

I found that online access in the United States is not uniform and varies widely depending on state-level regulations and licensing requirements. For example, here’s how sports betting, online casino, and online poker site accessibility varies state-by-state:

In addition to varying accessibility for online sports betting, casinos, and poker, sports streaming blackouts affect all US states. The blackout location varies by team, so even if you have a valid subscription that broadcasts the events, some games will still be unavailable to you due to blackouts. For example, the New York Yankees games are always blacked out online in NY, CT, and NJ, while the Chicago Cubs games are usually blacked out in IL, IN, IA, and parts of WI.

Because of this, there’s no one best US state to connect to with your VPN if you want to watch all the blackout games or access restricted gambling services online. From my experience, the best solution in this case is to get a VPN with a broad selection of US state servers, as this will help you bypass blackouts and access platforms that are unavailable in your location.

Using a VPN to access state-restricted websites is generally legal, but local laws and each platform’s Terms of Service still apply. In the US, for example, rules such as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act can limit how certain services operate, including blocking payments to restricted platforms. Because of this, access doesn’t always guarantee full functionality. It’s best to check the relevant rules before connecting to avoid breaking any existing laws.

Best VPNs for different states

To access specific US states, you will need a VPN with plenty of servers across different states. This is necessary to avoid local blackouts or to access specific services that are not available in your state. If you use the right VPN for different states, it should solve this problem for you.

After testing 22 services, I found the best VPNs for different states. My top choice is NordVPN for the ultimate US coverage, with Surfshark in second place for affordability and Proton VPN in third for security. Meanwhile, ExpressVPN and IPVanish take fourth and fifth place for good US coverage.

1. NordVPN - best overall VPN for accessing different US states

NordVPN is the best VPN for different US states, as it offers thorough US coverage, unblocks restricted sites, and delivers the fastest speeds. It has over 2630 servers in 50 US states, making it easy to get a stable IP address across the country.

Many US platforms, including online betting and streaming services, impose state-level blocks by detecting your IP address. Simply put, if you are outside of New Jersey or Michigan but want to access a service available only in those states, NordVPN can help you change your virtual location to another state via a server connection.

In total, NordVPN has 2630 servers in the US (or over 3000, depending on when you’ve updated your app) in all 50 US states. As for exact locations, this VPN covers 55 cities, including Trenton, New Jersey; Detroit, Michigan; and Huntington, West Virginia. I easily found the US server list in NordVPN’s app by clicking the three dots next to the United States.

My experience with NordVPN unblocking geo-restricted sites, including online gambling and betting platforms, was by far the best of all the VPNs I tried. For my tests, I used NordVPN servers in Trenton, NJ. After connecting, I performed IP/DNS/WebRTC leak tests and found none. Then I simply headed to sites unavailable outside the state, such as DraftKings and Rainbet, and got in on the first try. However, to improve your chances even further and make your connection even safer, I recommend using the NordWhisper tunneling protocol, which masks all traces of VPN traffic. Using this protocol, I never got blocked by any VPN detection methods used by state-restricted websites.

As for speeds, with NordVPN, I never had to worry about lag or buffering while streaming or playing online games. In fact, my experience with this VPN was very smooth, no matter which online activity I was engaged in. This was also reflected in my NordVPN speed tests, where I found that this service retains at least 86% of my initial connection speed.

NordVPN is the overall best VPN for different states, and you can try it out for free with the 3-day free trial for Android devices or use the 30-day money-back guarantee to extend the testing period. NordVPN subscriptions are also fairly priced at $3.09/month. Using NordVPN’s servers in Trenton, NJ, and Detroit, MI, I easily accessed state-restricted gambling sites without ever being detected. Additionally, I was impressed by the exceptional connection speeds and the overall smooth experience.

2. Surfshark - best budget VPN for multi-state access

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for multi-state access, thanks to its affordable subscriptions and unlimited device connections. It covers 19 US states and has over 790 servers, making it easy to change your IP address whenever you need to.

During my research, I found that access to online services, especially platforms like online casinos and poker, is highly dependent on the state you are in. Additionally, all US states suffer from sports blackouts, which is definitely a place where a VPN like Surfshark can help by changing your IP address to avoid blackouts and restrictions.

Surfshark has over 790 US servers across 22 cities and 19 states, including places like Detroit, Michigan, where online sports betting and gambling are available. To find the exact US location on the Surfshark US server list, I could simply type the city name or scroll through the list until I found it.

To test Surfshark’s unblocking capabilities, I connected to a server in Detroit, MI, to change and mask my IP address. Then, I went to Rainbet, and the site let me in as if I were actually located in Michigan. To make sure the platform wouldn’t detect that I was using a VPN, I enabled Camouflage mode, which disguises VPN traffic. Overall, I was very pleased with the smooth unblocking experience with Surfshark.

That said, I found Surfshark to be great for streaming and gaming, too, as it retained around 80% of my initial connection speed. This means there were no lag or buffering issues, even during bandwidth-intensive activities.

Surfshark is the top budget-priced VPN for different states, and you can try it for free with the 7-day trial. Subscriptions, starting at $1.99/month, are also risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition to a great price and excellent unblocking performance, Surfshark also comes with unlimited device connections.

3. Proton VPN - best free VPN for different states

Proton VPN is the best VPN for different US states, and it also offers a completely free version. It has over 400 servers in 19 US states, making it easy to get a new IP address in various locations.

Proton VPN is very helpful in bypassing state-level blocks imposed mostly on online gambling sites. This is especially due to its high-level focus on user privacy and security. This means that your true location will likely never be disclosed when you visit restricted sites, and you can get a secure IP address outside your state whenever you need it.

Proton VPN has around 400 servers in 19 US states, including Philadelphia, PA, Detroit, MI, and two cities in California. The first two locations from the Proton VPN server list are especially important if your goal is to visit online gambling and betting sites from states where they are not available.

I tested Proton VPN by connecting to one of its servers in Philadelphia, PA, as this is one of the very few states where online poker sites are legal. When connected, I also put Proton VPN through IP and DNS leak testing. Since I found no discrepancies, I went to the DraftKings site from my location and accessed it with no restrictions. I was impressed by the stable, fast connection speeds and thought it was partly thanks to Proton’s unique VPN Accelerator feature. As for streaming, I did notice slightly longer video load times, but that is to be expected when using a VPN. That said, my experience with Proton VPN was overall smooth and, most importantly, secure.

Proton VPN is the best VPN for different states, and you can try it for free with no strings attached. If you’d like to subscribe, the cheapest plan starts at $2.99/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. While the paid Proton VPN version easily got me into geo-restricted sites and gambling platforms, the free version lacks both the US server selection and the security features needed to stay undetected while trying to unblock restricted sites. So, I’d say the free version is more suitable for casual browsing and basic protection.

4. ExpressVPN - fast VPN with servers in all 50 states

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for all 50 US states with secure servers throughout the country and consistent connection speeds. It has servers in states like MI, PA, and DE, which makes it very easy to obtain a local IP address.

As many US platforms impose restrictions based on your IP address, ExpressVPN can help you bypass state-level blocks by changing your IP address. All you need to do is connect to a server in a state where your preferred sites are available, and you can access them without changing your physical location.

ExpressVPN does not disclose the exact number of US servers, but I confirmed it covers all 50 US states. The list includes states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and cities including Newark, Philadelphia, and Detroit, where online betting and gambling are available.

To test how well ExpressVPN handles state-level blocks, I connected to a server in Newark, NJ, and checked whether my IP address reflected that on the ipleak.net site. Once I was sure my real location was well-hidden, I tried to access the Rainbet site. And while I eventually got it, I did have to connect and disconnect to different servers in the same location until the trick worked. Ultimately, I stayed on the site undetected, but my access wasn’t as smooth as with other VPNs. As for streaming, I thought ExpressVPN showed great compatibility, thanks to its proprietary LightWay protocol, and my speeds were relatively high and stable.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for all 50 US states, and you can use it for free during the 7-day free trial. Plan pricing is also very competitive, with the cheapest costing around $2.79/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring a risk-free purchase. However, while I liked that ExpressVPN covers all 50 US states, my access to state-level blocked sites wasn’t as smooth as with top VPNs, so bear that in mind when choosing this service as your go-to.

5. IPVanish - secure VPN for switching between US locations

IPVanish is the best VPN for different US states, as it offers advanced security features to bypass state-level restrictions and blackouts. It’s very helpful for changing your IP address state to state, as it covers 18 states with secure servers.

Internet service and streaming access vary widely across the US, with some states blocking gambling sites and all states experiencing local sports blackouts. Here, a VPN like IPVanish can be very useful, as it lets you change your IP address whenever you run into a location-specific restriction.

In total, IPVanish has around 1,020 US servers in 18 states and 19 locations. The list includes cities such as Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago, Illinois; and Nashville, Tennessee, for easy access to online sports betting sites. Although server search is not very intuitive on IPVanish’s app, you can scroll through the full list to find the server you need.

For my IPVanish unblocking reliability tests, I used one of its Phoenix, Arizona, servers. Once connected, I launched the FanDuel site and could get into it immediately. However, I noticed that with IPVanish, my connection speeds were significantly slower, so keep that in mind if you have a particularly slow internet connection at home. Despite being slow, the connections were stable, but that didn’t help much with streaming, as I encountered lag and buffering when trying to watch blackout games online. So, while IPVanish works for unblocking and keeping you secure online, it is slower and less usable for data-heavy activities.

IPVanish is the best VPN for multi-state access, and it offers a free 7-day trial on any device. For long-term users, subscriptions start at $2.99/month and are protected with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Although I found that IPVanish easily bypasses state-level blocks, the slower speeds made it less usable, especially for streaming and playing online games.

How to choose the best VPN for your state

Choosing the best VPN for your state boils down to how reliably the service handles location-based restrictions and to its overall performance, including comfortable connection speeds for online activities. So, my advice for you is to prioritize a VPN service’s real-world performance over a long feature list. Below, you’ll find practical tips on choosing the right VPN for different states:

1. Select a VPN with servers in or near your state. The closer a VPN server is to your physical location, the faster your speeds will be. Additionally, you may also want to access your local online platforms while secured by a VPN.
2. Check if your selected VPN can bypass state-level restrictions. Not all VPNs can bypass geo-restrictions, so it is crucial to look for providers with a proven track record of accessing region-locked services.
3. Look for real test results, rather than just features. From my experience, marketing claims, even when it comes down to cybersecurity tools, don’t always reflect their real-life performance. Before you choose a VPN for different states, check whether it has independent reviews to verify its reliability.
4. Evaluate speed and connection stability. A good VPN should be capable of maintaining fast connections for streaming and browsing. Additionally, I found that connection stability matters just as much, especially when you regularly switch between states.
5. Be critical about pricing and risk-free testing. Premium, reliable VPN providers will always offer competitive pricing, free trials or free versions, and an iron-clad money-back guarantee. I recommend choosing a service that lets you test it before you commit.
6. Check if the VPN supports your device. While most top-tier VPNs are highly compatible with various devices and operating systems, make sure to check if that’s the case for your device. I noticed that a smooth app experience makes a huge

How to use a VPN to change your state

To change your state using a VPN, you must connect to a server located in the specific US state you wish to appear from. This is just as simple in real-life as in theory:

Step 1. Get a VPN with servers in the US

Many platforms and online services are restricted in specific US states, with the blocks determined by your IP address. This means that if you’re outside the availability zone, such as in a different state or region, you will be blocked from entering the website. The easiest way to bypass this is to get a VPN with a large number of servers across multiple US locations, focusing on the states where your preferred platform is available.

Based on my tests and real-life experience, NordVPN is the best VPN for all 50 states, offering fast, secure servers across the country. Additionally, I found that thanks to its top-tier features, it easily unblocks restricted platforms, and you can use it to bypass blackouts, too. For example, I easily entered DraftKings from California using NordVPN’s New Jersey servers in Trenton.

Step 2. Download the VPN app on your device

After subscribing to your preferred service, download the VPN app directly from the official website, such as www.nordvpn.com, or an app store. Once you have it, install it on your device and log in using your credentials.

My advice is to always download from official sources only – this way, you’ll avoid modified or potentially unsafe apps. What’s more, Android users starting their NordVPN subscription from the Google Play Store get a 3-day free trial.

Step 3. Connect to the state server

While researching site availability across the US, I noticed that many platforms are only accessible in specific states due to local regulations. For example, some services are only available in New Jersey, Michigan, or Pennsylvania, so to access them from any other state, you will need to connect to a VPN server in one of those states.

After launching your VPN, connect to a server located in a state where the platform you want to access is available. Once you are connected, your IP address will change, making it appear as though you’re accessing the service from that specific state. Ultimately, this will allow you to use the service with no restrictions.

Step 4. Access platform

Lastly, after you’ve successfully connected to a VPN server and your IP address has been changed, you can enter your chosen platform without restrictions.

However, if you still cannot access the site due to active blocks, I recommend checking whether your VPN isn’t leaking IP or DNS addresses. You can check it using the ipleak.net tool, the same as I did.

If the tool detects a leak, it means your real IP address is exposed, and you should switch to a different protocol to prevent further leaks. After making this adjustment, try accessing the platform again.

Access state-level restricted sites with NordVPN

Is it legal to use a VPN between states?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN between states in the United States. There are no laws that prohibit connecting to a VPN server in another state to change your IP address and secure your activities.

However, it is crucial to remember that while a VPN itself is legal, some websites, such as betting, gambling, and financial platforms, must adhere to state-based restrictions and block traffic from unavailable states. This means that while you can legally use a VPN to change your IP address to another state, your actual location may still matter for certain platforms. In turn, services can block or restrict your account if it detects your VPN usage.

In practice, using a VPN for privacy, streaming, and casual browsing is typically legal and even encouraged for online security. That said, by using a VPN to access sites that are restricted in your state, you risk violating the platform’s terms of service. This applies to all users, even though VPN use itself is absolutely legal.

In short: Using a VPN to connect to a different US state is legal. Accessing state-level restricted sites may violate their terms of service.

Final tips

Using a VPN across different states offers many benefits. For example, using a VPN generally secures your connection and makes your online activities invisible. A VPN is also hugely helpful in cases when you need to access a site or a service that’s unavailable in your state. Here, a VPN helps you by assigning you a new IP address in another state through a server connection. Changing your IP address may also help you access state-restricted platforms, such as sports betting, online casinos, and poker.

That said, not all VPNs are good for different states, and such a service must have many servers in US locations, strong security features, and a proven track record of unblocking restricted sites. After testing 22 VPN services, I found that NordVPN is the overall best VPN for different states, as it covers 55 US locations and can easily bypass restrictions while keeping you secure. Surfshark stood out as the top budget-friendly alternative, while Proton VPN was the best free VPN for different states.

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FAQ

Can I use a VPN to change my state location?

Yes, you can use a VPN to change your state location. To achieve this, start by choosing a reliable VPN with plenty of US servers, such as NordVPN. Subscribe to the service, download the app, and install it. Launch the app, select a server in the US state you want to appear in, and connect. Once you are connected, your IP address will be changed to your preferred state location, and you will be able to access state-restricted sites and services.

How to get an IP address from another state?

The easiest way to get an IP address from another state is to use a VPN. With a VPN, such as NordVPN, you can connect to a server in another state. Once you are connected, your real location will be hidden, and it will appear as though you are browsing from another state.

Which VPN works best for different US states?

NordVPN works best in different US states. After a recent update, NordVPN now covers all 50 US states with around 3,000 highly secure, fast servers. The service is excellent not just for securing your activities, but also for bypassing state-level restrictions on gambling, betting, and financial platforms. Additionally, with NordVPN, you can easily avoid local sports blackouts by changing your location whenever you need it.

Are free VPNs good for changing states?

No, free VPNs are not good for changing states. Here’s why: free VPNs don't cover many US states, leaving you with just a couple of location choices. Additionally, free VPNs are notoriously slow and usually not sufficiently fast enough for streaming or online gaming. Lastly, such VPNs may collect and sell your data, thereby defeating the very purpose of keeping you anonymous. Instead of using an unreliable free VPN, I recommend choosing NordVPN and taking advantage of the 3-day Android free trial or extending it with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Which VPN has the most US servers?

Currently, NordVPN has the most US servers. After a recent update, NordVPN now covers all 50 US states, with around 3,000 servers across 55 US locations. In addition to excellent coverage, NordVPN also offers incredibly fast connection speeds suitable for all online activities and demonstrates great reliability when unblocking restricted platforms. You can try NordVPN for free with the 3-day free trial for Android or with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

What is the cheapest VPN for US servers?

The cheapest VPN for US servers is Surfshark, and you can subscribe to it for only $1.99/month. Surfshark has around 790 servers across 19 US states and 22 locations, including cities in Michigan, New York, and California. Despite its budget-friendly price, Surfshark is also a highly secure service with excellent restriction bypass capabilities and fast connection speeds. That said, if you need a VPN that covers all 50 US states, then I recommend choosing NordVPN.