All-American Road (National Scenic Byway in Mississippi and Missouri) · Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana

Great River Road

Roads along the Mississippi River through ten states, from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, linking hundreds of river towns.

Also known as Great River Road National Scenic Byway

Great River Road: Bluffs Over Scenic Overlook on Lake Pepin

Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source

  • Length2069 miles[1]FHWA's description says the road follows the river for 3,000 miles.
  • Drive timeAbout six days to drive, or ten days to enjoy the whole byway[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
  • RoadsRoute numbers change from state to state; in Arkansas, for example, the byway follows US 61 from the Missouri line[2]
  • Start and endNorthern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, along the Mississippi River[1]
  • Fees and passesNo fees[1]
  • Best seasonAny season; from early spring to fall foliage is the busiest time[8]
  • SurfaceMostly paved; several stretches of the northern Minnesota section are gravel, and so is a 15-mile segment through St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas[8]The archived page says most Arkansas roads are asphalt state or US highways.
  • Vehicle notesMaintained for travel by all vehicles. Wet gravel in St. Francis National Forest can be hard going (SH 1 from Marianna to Helena bypasses it), and the forest's Low Road is often impassable in rain.[8]
  • Seasonal closuresMaintained for year-round travel. Winter storms close short sections every few years, usually for less than 36 hours; the Illinois route lies in the 100-year flood plain and is detoured when flooded.[8]

Before you go

Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.

Facts last checked against the sources on October 29, 2026.

About the drive

The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from its headwaters at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, through ten states and hundreds of river towns. Each state runs its own section, so route numbers and signs change as you go; look for the byway's markers.

The scenery changes with the river: northern forests and lakes in Minnesota, limestone bluffs along Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, and the flat, rich farmland of the Delta farther south. Stops include Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa, Mississippi Palisades State Park in Illinois, the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale and Vicksburg National Military Park.

Nobody drives it in an afternoon. FHWA suggests six days to drive the whole route or ten to enjoy it, and most people pick one state or one stretch of river at a time.

Stops along the way

  1. Mississippi Palisades State Park

    Bluff-top trails and views north of Savanna.

    Official information · 42.14099, -90.1576

  2. Effigy Mounds National Monument

    National monument on the Great River Road between Harpers Ferry and Marquette, Iowa.

    Official information · 43.08707, -91.19209

  3. Itasca State Park

    Lake Itasca, the Mississippi's headwaters.

    Official information · 47.18818, -95.21961

  4. Delta Blues Museum

    Blues history museum in Clarksdale.

    Official information · 34.20011, -90.57358

  5. Prescott

    Northern gateway of Wisconsin's Great River Road.

    Official information · 44.74886, -92.80215

Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).

Food along the way

Farmers markets within about 25 miles

Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.

Farms along the way

77 farms in our directory are within about 25 miles; these are the closest. Farm stands and pick-your-own seasons vary, so check with the farm before you go.

Food events nearby

Dated public events within about 50 miles, during the drive's best months, from our events calendar. Dates can change; confirm with the organizer.

In season during the best months to drive

The drive's best months are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.

Regional desserts

  • KringleWisconsin's official state pastry (Wisconsin Statutes 1.10).

Keep exploring

Scenic drives nearby

More scenic drives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana

Food and farms in the area

Sources

  1. America's Byways: Great River Road (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
  2. Great River Road - Arkansas (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
  3. Great River Road - Minnesota (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
  4. Great River Road - Mississippi (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
  5. Great River Road - Wisconsin (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
  6. Where the River Meets the Road: Great River Road (Enjoy Illinois, Illinois Office of Tourism) (checked 2026-10-29)
  7. Effigy Mounds National Monument: Directions (NPS) (checked 2026-10-29)
  8. America's Byways: Great River Road, visitor services (FHWA byways.org, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
  9. Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-29.

Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.

Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).

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