Virginia is famous for its quirky, tongue-twisting, and downright baffling town names—many of which are sure to cause confusion (or at least a double-take) for both travelers and GPS systems. Here are ten town names in Virginia that could give your navigation app an existential crisis:
Bumpass
Pronounced “bump-us,” this unincorporated community in Louisa County will have you questioning whether your GPS is glitching or just having a laugh.
Tightsqueeze
A real place between Chatham and Danville, this name might make your GPS wonder if it’s navigating you through a tight spot—literally.
Climax
Found in Pittsylvania County, this name could prompt a few raised eyebrows from your navigation system, especially if you’re “heading toward Climax”.
Fries
Pronounced “freeze,” not “fry-z,” this Appalachian Trail town in Grayson County will confuse anyone expecting a fast-food stop.
Dumfries
Pronounced “dum-freez,” not “dumb-fries,” this historic town in Prince William County will make your GPS second-guess its pronunciation skills.
Short Pump
A rapidly growing area outside Richmond, this name is sure to get a chuckle—and possibly a confused pause—from your GPS.
Goochland
A county and town with a name that sounds like it belongs in a comedy sketch, not a navigation system.
Chilhowie
This Smyth County town’s Cherokee-inspired name is both beautiful and difficult for non-locals (and GPS) to pronounce or spell.
Assawoman
On the Eastern Shore, this tiny town’s name will make your GPS wonder if it’s being pranked.
Cuckoo
Another Louisa County gem, Cuckoo is as whimsical as it sounds—and just as likely to cause a navigation hiccup.
Navigating Virginia with these town names is an adventure in itself, and your GPS might just need a moment to process what it’s seeing!
Sources:
- https://thebeatva.iheart.com/content/2020-10-16-5-of-the-strangest-named-places-youve-never-heard-of-in-virgina/
- https://mindfullyamerican.com/9-hilarious-virginia-town-names-thatll-make-you-lol/
- https://mindfullyamerican.com/9-virginia-town-names-youd-swear-are-fiction/