They should try to join an existing state such as WV. I believe it would be easier than forming a new state.
Yes, it might be easier to join a neighboring state rather than form a new state. A state of western Maryland would be very small in area and population.
Politically these efforts are very difficult. Per the Constitution, forming a new state requires consent of each state, plus consent of Congress in Washington, DC. Realistically, we’re talking about forming new conservative states. Politically, liberal Democrats in Congress would only consent if Democrat bastions such as Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, etc can become their own states, knowing that these liberal cities will elect Democrats to balance out conservatives sure to be elected from new conservative states.