Recently, my fav co-pilot, Jane, and I decided at the last minute to do a day trip to the tip of Southern Illinois along the Ohio River where it becomes the border between southeastern Illinois and northwest Kentucky. That trail is part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway (ORSB).
But this story is not just about the ORSB, but rather about all the America’s Byways in Illinois.
What is an America’s Byway?
Pardon my ignorance, but as we drove along the Ohio River Scenic Byway (ORSB), I realized that below each highway sign designating the ORSB, there was another accompanying sign saying, “America’s Byway”. At age 70, I was embarrassed to admit that I had no real understanding of the significance of those signs. So, back to school I went…er… rather back to the Internet and here’s what I learned.
America’s Byways is a term that applies to 150 distinct and diverse roads as designated by the US Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. It is a grass-roots effort to recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the U.S. They may be All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities.
All-American Roads are the very best of the National Scenic Byways and must meet the same criteria, but, in addition, must have intrinsic qualities that are of national significance and it must be considered a destination unto itself. There are 37 All-American Roads.
Seven Scenic Byways in Illinois
Illinois contains all or part of seven distinct scenic byways. Here is a list and a personal comment or two from my own history with them and observations about these routes. If you don’t know quite know where to go the next time you have a free week-end, I suggest you start with these seven.
Great River Road (2069 miles overall)
The Great River Road parallels the Mississippi River through 10 states from its origin north of Minneapolis to its end below New Orleans. In Illinois, it begins north of Galena at a point where the states of Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois meet. Then it winds down south to St. Louis and includes the confluence of the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, before culminating near Cairo at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers 550 miles away.
Rambler: I’ve never travelled the complete route in one trip, but I plan on it. However, I have experienced all of the Illinois portion. Outside the major cities, there are several medium sized ones that I have seen and enjoyed tremendously, including: Dubuque, Galena, Quad Cities, Vicksburg and Natchez. It is also an All-American Road.
Historic National Road (824 miles overall)
The Historic National Road was the first federally funded interstate highway and it includes six states from Maryland through Illinois to the Mississippi River. Thankfully, this trail opened the Northwest Territory or my ancestors might never have found their way to Illinois. Of course, its history is all tied to the expansion into the Louisiana Territory since the early 1800’s.
Rambler: I have travelled much of this east to west route many times, but only recently have taken time to get off the interstate and really discover the Illinois portion, which includes an old state capitol where Lincoln first served in elective office. I have a blog article that is about to be released that covers the 164-mile Illinois portion of this All-American road.
Historic Route 66 (1408 miles overall)
The Mother Road connects Chicago to the Pacific Ocean at Los Angeles and has become iconic, thanks to Nat King Cole’s recording, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” and the 1960’s TV series “Route 66”. But, it’s real notoriety comes from moving masses of people who migrated from the Great Plains and the Midwest to the West Coast.
Rambler: Again, I have not taken all of this route in one dose, but have missed very few of its 301 Illinois miles. Foreign travelers fly into Chicago just to rent vehicle and make the drive to LA and it’s worth the trip. You should allow a couple of weeks at least to see it all.
Illinois River Road (291 all in IL)
The Illinois River Road is the only route in this article that is contained totally within the state of Illinois and it runs from Ottawa south to Havana. The circular journey might take seven-hours but you will experience the best of forests, bluffs, wetlands and prairies and is worth driving to experience more than one season.
Rambler: This truly runs through the “heart” of Illinois and I have spent a career driving across it from the rich farmlands of Central Illinois to Western Illinois. I have not done this trip from end to end, but think this fall would be a good time for that drive and it could be done in a day, except if you get sidetracked for several nature routes, which surely will happen.
Lincoln Highway (179 miles in IL)
The Lincoln Highway crosses 12 states and covers 3,500 miles and was the first successful transcontinental highway for automobiles. However, only the 179-mile Illinois portion is designated a National Scenic Byway. In Illinois, it begins near Chicago and sweeps across rolling farmland until it crosses the Mississippi River at Fulton. There is a Lincoln Highway Association that pulls the whole length of the highway together for promotional purposes.
Rambler: I was crossing Wyoming last year and ran into a statue of Lincoln along I-80 and could not figure out why it was there. I learned there about his contribution to the development of this road that runs from New York to San Francisco. I probably won’t ever do it all at once but hope to divide it and conquer it over time.
Meeting of the Great Rivers (33 miles)
Hartford to Grafton on IL Rt 3 gives you views of the confluences of the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers and runs through a 35,000-acre flood plain and 20,000 acres of forest. Ride the sky lift to the top of the bluffs to view the confluence of the rivers.
Rambler: This is close to home for me and is at least an annual trip to see the limestone bluffs and the rivers with a ribbon of highway separating them. It’s a short route but worth taking your time to eat and shop in some neat river towns with much history.
Ohio Scenic River Byway (943 miles overall)
The Ohio Scenic River Byway parallels the Ohio River through three states: Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Although the river’s origin is in Pittsburgh and the Byway spans 943 miles, only three states are included on the Byway. The OSRB features forested beauty and old river ports, not to mention the historic cities of Cincinnati and Louisville. It could take at least three days to drive because of all the river “views you’ll want to take in.
Rambler: This is the one Byway in this article that I have not spent much time travelling, except for a recent foray onto the 188-mile Illinois portion and it was fascinating. I can’t believe the other two states will not be just as revealing of many historic secrets. So, this is on my bucket list.
