For many drivers, the morning doesn’t begin at home. It starts in the car. From daily commutes to school drop-offs, a cup of coffee is the quiet constant that keeps America running, and the stop to get it becomes a familiar routine that makes the daily drive feel predictable. Comforting, even.
But the road isn’t always as dependable as your morning order. Every day, busy highways and crowded intersections remind us how quickly a routine trip can take an unexpected turn. At Murphy & Prachthauser, we see those moments up close — helping people recover when the routines they rely on are suddenly interrupted by an accident.
Still, those same routines are part of what connects us on the road. To explore one of the lighter sides of driving culture, we analyzed Google Trends data for 35 of Dunkin’s most popular menu items over the past 12 months. The results reveal each state’s favorite order, and show how one coffee stop continues to bring people together from coast to coast.
Which Dunkin’ Order Is Most Popular in Every State?
Whether you’re grabbing an espresso before your morning commute or stopping for a quick pick-me-up during a long drive, stopping at coffee shops has become part of the daily rhythm for millions of drivers across the country. And one that people continue to flock to is Dunkin’. After all, America runs on it.
To find out what keeps Americans going, we analyzed Google Trends data for 35 of Dunkin’s best-known menu items over the past 12 months to see which order was most popular in every state.
Our findings show that Dunkin’ favorites vary widely depending on where you are, but a few regional trends stood out:
Midwest: The Dunkin’ latte took the top spot in four Midwestern states — Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. The latte’s simple blend of espresso and milk seems to hit the mark for early risers and commuters who prefer something dependable to start their day.
Northeast: No clear favorite emerged across the 10 Northeastern states, which isn’t surprising given Dunkin’s deep roots in the region. With a store seemingly on every corner, residents likely know the full menu by heart, which shows in their diverse preferences.
South: The pumpkin spice latte came out on top in four Southern states — Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, old-fashioned donuts (Texas and Virginia) and powdered donuts (Georgia and Tennessee) each claimed two states. The mix of limited-time flavors and classic treats suggests Southerners enjoy pairing tradition with a little seasonal pick-me-up.
West: Much like the Midwest, the Dunkin’ latte proved most popular in the West, leading in Hawaii and New Mexico. The lack of a clear regional favorite could stem from the smaller number of Dunkin’ locations out West (and in some states, none at all).
States without a Dunkin’ location (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington) were excluded from the analysis.
While America’s Dunkin’ habits may change regionally, the shared routine of a morning stop for coffee or a donut ties travelers together. From latte loyalists in the heartland to pumpkin spice fans in the South, Dunkin’ remains a familiar stop along the way.
Next, we’ll dive into which menu items ranked as the most popular nationwide.
The Dunkin’ Menu Items Americans Can’t Put Down
After looking at regional favorites across the country, we wanted to see which Dunkin’ items stood out on a national scale. By counting how many states each menu item led in, we found a few clear fan favorites that define America’s morning routines.
Here’s what we can’t seem to get enough of:
Pumpkin Spice Latte – Most popular in 8 states
A seasonal favorite that captures fall on the go, the pumpkin spice latte came out on top in Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Its wide appeal across both cold and warm-weather states shows how much comfort people find in this familiar autumn flavor.
Latte – Most popular in 7 states
The Dunkin’ latte continues to be the everyday favorite for drivers who like to keep things simple. It led in Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and New Mexico. This mix of regions proves that reliability is still in style when you’re in need of a caffeine boost before hitting the road.
Old-Fashioned Donut – Most popular in 4 states
Sometimes, the best start to the day is the simplest one. The old-fashioned donut topped trends in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia, showing that even in an age of artisan donuts and coffee orders so long you can’t keep track, the classics still hold their place in the morning routine.
Powdered Donut – Most popular in 3 states
A timeless favorite that’s hard to resist, the powdered donut is the most popular in Arizona, Georgia, and Tennessee. It’s a reminder that for many, the morning drive isn’t complete without something sweet alongside that coffee.
Other menu items that stood out across multiple states included the Matcha Latte, Iced Coffee, Chocolate Glazed Donut, Cappuccino, and Avocado Toast. Each proving Dunkin’s menu has something for every type of traveler, from the traditionalist to the trendsetter.
And trendsetting is something that Dunkin’ is known for. The brand’s celebrity collaborations, like Charli D’Amelio’s “The Charli” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Strawberry Daydream Refresher,” also made our list as state favorites, ranking highest in Michigan and South Carolina, respectively. Their pop culture push shows how Dunkin’ continues to evolve with its customers while keeping its place in their morning routines.
Dunkin’ remains a cornerstone of American commutes. Whether it’s a pumpkin spice latte in the fall or a quick donut before work, these small moments of routine comfort connect drivers everywhere.
Closing Thoughts
Across the country, Dunkin’ remains a familiar part of the daily drive. It’s a quick stop that fuels commuters, road-trippers, and early risers. An ordinary part of the morning that, for many, marks the unofficial start of the day.
But even the most routine moments on the road can change in an instant. At Murphy & Prachthauser, we understand that life doesn’t always follow the same reliable rhythm as a morning coffee run. When accidents happen, our team is here to help you get back on track.
Learn more about how we help people injured in car accidents and others affected by serious crashes on Wisconsin’s roads.
Methodology
To determine the most popular Dunkin’ menu item in every state, we started by compiling a list of 35 well-known Dunkin’ menu items. Using Google Trends search data from the past 12 months, we analyzed regional interest for each menu item. We compared search interest across every state in our study to find the most popular Dunkin’ item in each of them. For this study, search interest was used as an indicator of popularity.
Fair Use
You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.