How to Play State Line
The Stereotype: State Line is a pass-and-play board game for 2–8 players that runs in a browser — one device gets passed around the car or the table. Here are the complete rules, from setup to the winning border crossing. You can read them here or just start a game and learn as you go.
The rules, step by step
1. Set up the car (or the table)
Add 2 to 8 players or teams on one device, each with a name and a pawn colour. Free games take up to 3 players; the Full Game unlock raises the cap to 8. Turn on the After Hours 21+ deck only if everyone playing is an adult and agrees to it.
2. Roll and glide
On your turn you roll the die and your pawn glides that many spaces along the route across the illustrated map of America. The camera follows your pawn and zooms in on the state you land on, so the whole car can see where you ended up.
3. Draw a State Challenge
Landing on a state draws that state's challenge card — an accent, a trivia question, a performance, a dare. A countdown timer starts as soon as the card opens, and the ticking speeds up in the last five seconds.
4. Face the jury
When the timer stops, every other player votes: Pass, Fail or Sabotage. Pass wins you ice cubes. Fail wins you nothing. Sabotage lets a rival spend their own ice to overturn a Pass — used well, it decides the game.
5. Mind the Federal Regulations
Certain spaces flip a Federal Regulation: a global rule that changes the game for everyone until it's replaced. Some double challenge rewards, some tax every player's cup, some ban a category of card outright.
6. Use The Cooler
The Cooler is your bank. Ice stored there is safe from taxes and sabotage, but you can only make withdrawals when you land on the right spaces. Stash too much and you may not have the ice you need to bribe your way out of trouble.
7. Avoid Federal Prison
Failed regulations, certain cards and a bad roll at a border gate can land you in Federal Prison. You skip turns until you roll your way out or pay bail from your cup. Run out of ice entirely and you're bankrupt.
8. Cross Federal Customs to win
The first player to cross Federal Customs still holding ice is crowned the Ultimate American Stereotype, and the victory screen gives you a badge you can share.
What's in each edition
- Free Starter — up to 3 players, the West region, and a starter selection of State Challenge cards.
- Full Game unlock ($4.99) — all four regional zones, up to 8 players or teams, all 100 State Challenge cards and the full Federal Regulation deck.
- After Hours 21+ ($2.99) — 14 adult cards, Strike Shot challenges and optional sip mechanics. Adults only, and the driver never drinks.
Full breakdown on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
- How many players do you need?
- Two minimum, eight maximum. Two-player games are faster and meaner — see car games for two.
- How long does a game take?
- Usually 30 to 45 minutes with four players. Fewer players is quicker; eight players with lots of sabotage votes can run past an hour.
- Do we each need our own phone?
- No. It's pass-and-play: one device is passed to whoever's turn it is. That's what makes it work in a car.
- Does it work offline?
- Once the page has loaded, yes — the game runs on your device and auto-saves locally, so you can close the tab and resume the same game later.
- What is the Sabotage vote?
- During the jury vote, a rival can spend their own ice cubes to overturn your Pass. It costs them, so it's a real decision rather than a free attack.
- Is the 21+ deck required?
- No — it's an optional expansion and off by default. The base game is fine for families; the adult version is covered in car games for adults.
Share this guide
Send it to whoever is driving next.
More game guides
Ready to hit the road?
Play State Line free →