Add This 550-Mile Scenic Drive In IL to Your Summer Bucket List

Grab some snacks, get everyone loaded into the car, and hit the open road.

Is there anything better than some wholesome family time in the car? The music is loud, the snacks are flowing, the laughs are exploding from the back seat. It can truly be the best of times with the whole family.

You might not think of scenic driving when you think of Illinois. You probably picture something like this -

Maksymowicz

Getty Stock / ThinkStock

Which can be beautiful in it's own way, but let's be honest, it's not very "scenic".

That's why you HAVE to check out this 550 scenic drive in Illinois. The road you'll take is The Great River Road and OIS details -

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.

Also, if you're still doubting Illinois can be scenic you should know that in February '21, this road was awarded "All American Road status". Which is a distinction that recognizes its notable scenic, historic, cultural, natural, archaeological, and recreational attributes.

Here's what your route is going to look like -

greatriverroad-illinois.org

So you'll be starting in East Dubuque located just across the Mississippi River from Iowa. What exactly will you experience along your journey? OIS says -

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 is a must-visit on this road trip, boasting four scenic outlooks with views that will take your breath away.

They even have a website full of maps, routes, destinations along your drive, and basically any and ALL info. you might need for your road trip.

Check out more here.

H/T OIS