Illinois River Road
The Illinois River valley from Ottawa to Havana, past Starved Rock's canyons, Peoria's bluffs and wildlife refuges along the river.
Also known as Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, CC BY 4.0, source
- Length291 miles[1]Enjoy Illinois also gives 291 miles.
- Drive timeAbout seven hours to drive the whole byway; two days for each of its seven nature loops[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsNot verified
- Start and endOttawa south to Havana, along the Illinois River[2]
- Fees and passesNo fees[1]
- Best seasonFall, for foliage, migrating waterfowl and native prairie flowers[4]
- SurfaceNot verified
- Vehicle notesNot verified
- Seasonal closuresNot verified
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 Illinois River Road follows the Illinois River through central Illinois, from Ottawa down to Havana. The valley was carved by glacial meltwater, and the byway links more than 100 nature spots among its forests, wetlands, bluffs and prairies.
Near the start, Starved Rock State Park has canyons and waterfalls, and LaSalle offers mule-drawn canal boat rides on the old Illinois and Michigan Canal. In Peoria, Grandview Drive runs along the bluffs above the river. Farther south, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is a stopover for migrating waterfowl.
FHWA suggests seven hours to drive the full route, or about two days for each of the byway's seven nature loops.
Stops along the way
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Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
Wetland refuge for migrating waterfowl.
Official information · 40.37625, -90.0048 · about 2.0 mi from the route line
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Havana
River town at the south end of the byway.
Official information · 40.30005, -90.06096 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
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Grandview Drive
Bluff-top drive in Peoria with views over the river valley.
Official information · 40.86891, -89.51618 · about 0.1 mi from the route line
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LaSalle
Old canal town with mule-drawn canal boat rides on the I&M Canal.
Official information · 41.33337, -89.09175 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
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Ottawa
River town where the byway begins.
Official information · 41.3456, -88.84258 · about 0.0 mi from the route line
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Starved Rock State Park
Canyons, waterfalls and trails on the river bluffs.
Official information · 41.3182, -89.03983 · about 0.6 mi from the route line
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
- Peoria RiverFront MarketPeoria, IL · about 0.0 mi from the route
- Princeton Farmers' MarketPrinceton, IL · about 0.0 mi from the route
- LaSalle County Historical SocietyUtica, IL · about 0.0 mi from the route
- Mill Road FarmsPrinceton, IL · about 0.0 mi from the route
- LaSalle Farmers MarketLa Salle, IL · about 0.1 mi from the route
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
- Grandma & Grandpa's Farm, LLCCsa · Sparland, IL · about 6.1 mi from the route
- The Ol' Dairy Barn Christmas Tree FarmChristmas tree · Trivoli, IL · about 7.7 mi from the route
- Tanner's OrchardOrchard · , IL · about 8.4 mi from the route
- Teresa's Fruit and Herbs/Sunny Lane FarmSpecialty · Eureka, IL · about 12.8 mi from the route
- Christ OrchardOrchard · Elmwood, IL · about 13.2 mi from the route
- Nettle Creek Farm & PantryHoney · , IL · about 14.1 mi from the route
10 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
- Morton Pumpkin FestivalSep 15-18, 2027 · Morton, IL · about 6.1 mi from the route
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 Sep, Oct, Nov. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.
- Acorn squashSep, Oct, Nov
- Butternut squashSep, Oct, Nov
- ChestnutsSep, Oct, Nov
- CranberriesSep, Oct, Nov
Keep exploring
Scenic drives nearby
- Lincoln Highway (Illinois)IL · about 61 mi away
- Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic RouteIL
- Great River RoadMN, WI, IA, IL, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS, LA
- Historic National RoadMD, PA, WV, OH, IN, IL
- Ohio River Scenic BywayIL, IN, OH
- Historic Route 66IL, MO, OK, NM, AZ, CA
More scenic drives in Illinois
Food and farms in the area
Sources
- America's Byways: Illinois River Road (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Illinois Scenic Byways (Enjoy Illinois, Illinois Office of Tourism) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway (Enjoy Illinois, Illinois Office of Tourism) (checked 2026-10-29)
- America's Byways: Illinois River Road, visitor services (FHWA byways.org, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.
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).