Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road

Take a journey through the Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road and discover the beauty of Southern Illinois. Starting in Harrisburg, this 106 km route takes you through Mitchellsville, Karbers Ridge, and Cave-In-Rock, offering stunning views of the Shawnee National Forest, the Ohio River and the Shawnee Hills. Along the way, you can explore the historic sites, such as the Cave-In-Rock State Park and the Garden of the Gods. This trip is suitable for all drivers, with good road conditions throughout the year. The best time to drive this route is in spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild and the colours of the landscape are at their finest. With a moderate budget, this trip can easily be managed in one day, making it perfect for a weekend getaway.

Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania, is a great starting point for any road trip. The city is located in the heart of the Susquehanna Valley and is home to many interesting sights. The most popular sights in Harrisburg include the National Civil War Museum, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol. For travelers coming from abroad, Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is the closest international airport. Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to start the Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road trip. The road trip takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Pennsylvania, including the Appalachian Mountains, the Susquehanna River, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Along the way, you'll find plenty of attractions to explore, including historic sites, state parks, and wineries. Harrisburg is a great starting point for any road trip. From the city, you can explore the beautiful Susquehanna Valley and take the Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road trip to experience some of the most picturesque parts of Pennsylvania. With its abundant attractions, Harrisburg is an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the best of the Keystone State.

Start your road trip in Harrisburg, United States, and travel 7 miles to Mitchellsville. The drive will take you less than an hour and you will be able to explore some of the most interesting places along the way. In Harrisburg, you can visit the National Civil War Museum, a great place to learn about the history of the American Civil War. The State Museum of Pennsylvania is also worth a visit, as it houses collections of art, science and history. As you drive to Mitchellsville, you can stop at the Appalachian Brewing Company, a microbrewery with an impressive selection of craft beers. You can also visit the Indian Echo Caverns, a great spot for a fun and educational experience. When you arrive in Mitchellsville, you can explore the historic town center, take a stroll along the Susquehanna River, and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Have a great trip!

Welcome to Mitchellsville and Karbers Ridge! This 15 mi drive will take you less than an hour, and it is a part of a larger tour. Start your journey in Mitchellsville, a small town located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Here you can visit the beautiful Old Town Square, the historical Mitchellsville Church, and the Mitchellsville Museum. Continue your journey to Karbers Ridge, a small village located in the Shawnee National Forest. Here you can visit the Karbers Ridge Nature Preserve, the Karbers Ridge Overlook, and the Karbers Ridge Wildlife Area. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

Are you ready for an amazing road trip stage from Karbers Ridge to Cave-In-Rock? This 20mi drive will take you less than one hour. You will start in Karbers Ridge, where you can visit the Garden of the Gods, a stunning outdoor recreation area with spectacular rock formations. You can also explore the Little Grand Canyon, an impressive natural area with breathtaking views. Once you hit the road, you will be surrounded by the beauty of the Shawnee National Forest. You can take a break and enjoy a picnic at the Rim Rock Recreational Area, with its stunning views of the Ohio River. Your destination is Cave-In-Rock, a small village located on the banks of the Ohio River. Here you can explore the Cave-In-Rock State Park, a historic site with a beautiful waterfall, and the Cave-In-Rock itself, a 55ft-high cave carved into the limestone bluff. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the “Itinerary” of this stage. This is one of the most interesting stages of a larger tour so don’t miss the chance to explore Karbers Ridge and Cave-In-Rock!

Welcome, road-trippers! This stage of your journey starts in Cave-In-Rock, United States and ends in Elizabethtown, a distance of 9mi and a driving time of fewer than 1 hour. In Cave-In-Rock, you can explore the majestic Cave-In-Rock State Park, with its breathtaking views of the Ohio River. You can also visit Cave-In-Rock Ferry, the oldest operating ferry on the Ohio River, and the Cave-In-Rock Historic Site, where you can learn about the history of the area. In Elizabethtown, you can visit the Elizabethtown City Park, which offers a variety of activities and attractions, such as a swimming pool, picnic areas, and a playground. You can also explore the Elizabethtown Historic District, with its many historic homes and buildings. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please consult the "Itinerary" of this stage. We hope you enjoy your stay!

Welcome to the Elizabethtown to Golconda road trip! This stage of your tour is a 15mi drive that will take you less than 1 hour to complete. Your journey begins in Elizabethtown, a small town located in Hardin County, Kentucky. Here, you can visit the Elizabethtown Nature Park, a great spot for outdoor activities and exploration. You can also check out the local museum, the Hardin County History Museum, and the historic Freeman Lake Park. Your next stop is the city of Golconda, located in Pope County, Illinois. This city is home to the Golconda Marina, where you can enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Ohio River. You can also explore the local nature trails and the historic Golconda Fort. Be sure to check out the itinerary for this stage of your tour for more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route. Have a great trip!

Golconda is a small city in the United States located at the end of the "Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road". This scenic route is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Southern Illinois and the Ohio River Valley. It offers spectacular views of rolling hills and valleys, as well as historic sites and interesting stops along the way. Golconda is the perfect place to end your road trip. It offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors. The Ohio River, located just outside of town, is a great place for fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are also nearby state parks, golf courses, and campgrounds. In town, visitors can explore the historic sites of downtown Golconda. The Abraham Lincoln Memorial is a popular attraction, as is the Old Fort Massac State Park. There are also a number of unique shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. For those looking to extend their trip, the closest international airport is Evansville Regional Airport (EVV). It is located just under an hour away and offers regular flights to major cities throughout the country. No matter how you choose to end your road trip, Golconda is the perfect destination to experience the best of Southern Illinois and the Ohio River Valley.

Hopefully, our road trip idea has become a perfect inspiration for your future holidays.
It is a ready-made option that can be conveniently expanded into a longer itinerary – you can do literally anything you’d like.
If travelling by car is your plan when exploring highlights around Illinois, there are a number of essential traffic regulations to follow and a list of elements to keep in mind to make your journey smooth and safe. These tips will also become useful for holidayers who opt for car hire or camper rental.
Travelling around Illinois in a car requires you to follow the local road rules. When moving around Illinois in a car, try avoiding alcoholic drinks at any price. Tourists should remember that the allowed consumption limit is not that high and amounts to only 0.5‰. Exceeding the maximum speed limit, which is 40km/h, inside the cities may lead to speeding offence. Never exceed the maximum speed of 72km/h when travelling outside the cities. Bear in mind that the permissible speed is 129km/h on motorways in Illinois. Driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit heavily increase the safety of your passengers.
The majority of travellers are also interested in the travel expenses of the whole road trip. Depending on the budget option that you aim for, the amount of money that you have to pay for your holiday expenses may vary. A wide range of budget possibilities is presented below.
The cost of gasoline for the cheapest offer to cover the planned 6 stages across Illinois can equal as much as 13 EUR. Economy accommodation options may cost you around 77 EUR. Those who opt for this option will spend around 72 EUR on food and restaurants. Travellers will have to pay around 45 EUR if they go for the budget hire car option as well. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to roughly 162 EUR without vehicle rental and 207 EUR with car rental.
Holidaymakers who are looking for greater comfort and the standard option should be prepared to pay the maximum of 25 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the tour. If you are into standard accommodation options, you should bear in mind that the expenses may amount up to more or less 121 EUR. The slightly increased standard in comparison to the budget option entails costs amounting to approximately 108 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard hire car should expect a cost of roughly 54 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay more or less 308 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend around 254 EUR.
Holidaymakers who would like to benefit from the highest level of convenience will be pleased with the premium option. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay about 457 EUR for the whole Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle rental will spend roughly 367 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a premium rental car should expect a cost of roughly 90 EUR. When it comes to the premium option of the itinerary, the fuel cost will equal as much as 25 EUR. Tourists who are interested in top services in all aspects of their tour should expect to pay more or less 144 EUR for restaurants and food and around 198 EUR for hotels.
Our itinerary will also be excellent for all camper fans, as it can be easily adjusted to their expectations. If you choose this mode of transport, you should expect the costs of approximately 225 EUR. If you are wondering about the gasoline costs for the whole tour, they will amount to roughly 25 EUR. Holidaymakers who will go for camper hire should expect to pay approximately 55 EUR for accommodation and approximately 72 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the mentioned details in a simple manner.
If Shawnee Hills Panoramic Road has inspired you, there is abundance of beautiful scenic drives and road trips on our website. We hope that the great variety of travel opportunities will definitely measure up to the expectations of the most demanding travellers.