Hop In Your Car And Take The Great River Road For An Incredible 550-Mile Scenic Drive In Illinois
By Melissa Mahoney|Published June 09, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
We’ve all heard of the ‘Great American Road Trip,’ an epic adventure that leads travelers to all the amazing places this country of ours has to offer. But what about a road trip along the Great River Road? Encompassing 550 miles within Illinois alone, this scenic byway follows the length of the Mississippi River along the state’s western border.
All in all, The Great River Road spans a length of 3,000 miles through 10 states between northern Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico. There's always the option of making a road trip along this scenic byway much longer but the 550 miles in Illinois alone offers more than enough in terms of scenery and things to do.
In February 2021, this National Scenic Byway was awarded All American Road status, a great distinction that recognizes its notable scenic, historic, cultural, natural, archaeological, and recreational attributes.
Traveling along The Great River Road in Illinois from north to south, the starting point is East Dubuque located just across the Mississippi River from Iowa.
Natural scenery is abundant along The Great River Road. With 65 parks and natural areas, you should prepare yourself to stop often, get out of the car, and take in the beauty that surrounds you. The 2,500-acre Mississippi Palisade State Park (pictured here) is a must-visit on this road trip, boasting four scenic outlooks with views that will take your breath away.
Visit some of the locks and dams along the river and watch riverboats and barges float by. The Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam 15 is the perfect place to witness these structures in action.
You'll have the opportunity to explore many of the riverside communities along the way. Consider a stop in the small city of Nauvoo for a horse-drawn carriage ride through its historic district.
Sightseeing along the river, visiting historic sites, museums, and roadside attractions are all options on your drive. There are countless places to explore, so get ready!
The Illinois portion of The Great River Road ends in Cairo, the state's southernmost city that was once a busy port but has become a near ghost town over the years. However, much of it is on the National Register of Historic places and is worthy of a visit.
The Great River Road is an extraordinary scenic byway taking you through some of the best of what the Prairies State has to offer. It’s the perfect option for a long road trip, either solo or with others. Have you taken a road trip along this route yet? Tell us about it in the comments!
For more information and to view the route, visit the Great River Road Illinois website and Facebook page.
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