Illinois River Road Trip

The Illinois River Road Trip is a scenic 251 km journey from Ottawa to Beardstown. It takes you through the towns of Peoria and Havana, with plenty of attractions and activities to enjoy along the way. Peoria is home to the Wildlife Prairie Park, a beautiful nature reserve with a variety of wildlife, and the Grandview Drive, a scenic drive along the Illinois River. Havana is the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors, with its lakes, rivers, and parks. The best time of year to drive this route is in the summer and early fall. The roads are generally in good condition, making this a great road trip for any driver. You can easily manage this trip on a moderate budget, and it’s recommended to take two days to complete. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and culture of the Illinois River Road Trip!

Ottawa, Illinois is an ideal starting point for the "Illinois River Road Trip". Located in LaSalle County, Ottawa is a charming small city with plenty to explore. The city is home to a variety of attractions, from a historic downtown district to the Ottawa Scenic Park, one of the largest parks in the state. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, while families can take part in the many activities, such as a visit to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, a boat ride on the Illinois River, and a tour of the local wineries. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Car rentals are available at the airport for those who would like to begin their road trip by car. Ottawa is a great starting point for the "Illinois River Road Trip," with plenty of attractions and activities to explore. From the scenic park to the museums, there's something for everyone in this small city.

Welcome to the Ottawa-La Salle-Peoria road trip! This stage of your journey is a 78mi drive that will take you fewer than 2 hours to complete. Start off your road trip in Ottawa, a city full of history and heritage. Visit the La Salle County Historical Society, a museum full of artifacts and antiques, or take a stroll through the city's many parks. Continue your journey to La Salle and explore the Starved Rock State Park, a picturesque park with canyons, waterfalls, and breathtaking views. You can also visit the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor to learn more about the area's history. Finally, end your road trip in Peoria, a city full of culture and entertainment. Check out the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Caterpillar Visitor Center, or the Peoria Zoo. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Happy travels!

Welcome to the Peoria - Havana road trip stage! This is one of the most exciting stages of a larger tour, and you will be able to experience the best of the two cities in just under an hour. The road trip starts in Peoria, United States and ends in Havana. Along the way, you will be able to explore some of the most interesting places, including the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Grandview Drive, and the Wildlife Prairie State Park. In Havana, you will find the historic downtown area, the Havana Public Library, and the Illinois River Museum. To make the most of your trip, be sure to take some time to explore the unique attractions and beautiful scenery that both cities have to offer. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Are you ready for a unique road trip experience? Starting in the beautiful city of Havana, United States, you will travel 33 miles and arrive in the charming city of Beardstown in less than an hour. In Havana, be sure to explore the historic downtown area, which is filled with antique shops, museums, and galleries. You can also visit the nearby John Wood Mansion, a stunning 19th-century home. When you reach Beardstown, take a stroll down the historic Main Street and visit the Beardstown Opera House. This beautiful building was constructed in 1883 and is now a museum. You can also explore the city's historic churches and the Beardstown City Park. This is just one of the stages of a larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along this route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So what are you waiting for? Get ready for an unforgettable road trip experience.

Beardstown, located in the state of Illinois, is the perfect ending point for the Illinois River Road Trip. The city is situated on the Illinois River and is known for its historical buildings and the abundance of outdoor activities. Beardstown has two main attractions: the historic courthouse and the Eagle Park. The courthouse is a historical landmark built in 1839, and it contains a great deal of information about the city’s history. The Eagle Park is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. It has a lake full of fish, a nature center, and a variety of trails for hiking and biking. For those looking to explore the city further, there are plenty of local attractions. The Schmalfeldt Park is a great place to take a stroll and view the city’s historic architecture. The Beardstown Arts Council is a great place to learn about local art and culture. And the Beardstown Historical Museum has a variety of artifacts and exhibits that provide a great glimpse into the city’s past. For those looking to continue their journey, the closest international airport is the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL). Beardstown is a great place to end the Illinois River Road Trip, with plenty of activities and attractions to explore.

We believe that the presented itinerary idea gave you numerous inspirations for your future holiday excursions.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a base that can be recreated in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with interesting highlights.
If car travel is a travel option you prefer, there are a number of vital road rules to follow and a bunch of things to bear in mind to ensure safety. The following road rules will surely become useful for all tourists who are considering car hire or renting a camper in Illinois.
When you’re driving around Illinois, you should be mindful of the local road regulations. To be on the safe side, try avoiding alcoholic beverages at any expense. Travellers should remember that the amount of alcohol that the driver can consume is rather low and is only 0.5‰. Exceeding the maximum permissible speed, which is 40km/h, when driving around the the city streets may result in a speeding fine. When it comes to rural areas, you cannot exceed the maximum allowed speed of 72km/h. Avoid exceeding the maximum speed of 129km/h when travelling along motorways. Driving with your headlights on at daytime and having a fire extinguisher and first aid kit greatly increase the safety of you and your passengers.
The majority of drivers wonder about the costs of the whole tour. Well, depending on the budget option that interests you, the money that you have to pay for your trip expenses will differ. A wide range of budget configurations is presented below.
If you go for the cheapest offer, you have to spend the maximum of 38 EUR on gasoline to cover the planned 251km. You should take into consideration that economy accommodation options will cost more or less 154 EUR. The travel expenses related to food and restaurants within this option may cost up to roughly 144 EUR. If you also aim for the budget rental car option, you will pay around 90 EUR. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to more or less 336 EUR without car hire and 426 EUR with car hire.
Holidaymakers who are interested in greater comfort and the standard option will pay more or less 50 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the itinerary. Cost amounting to 242 EUR can be expected by all tourists who are looking for standard overnight stays. Travellers can expect that the standard option in terms of restaurants and food will cost around 216 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard hire vehicle can expect a cost of more or less 108 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay about 616 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle rental will spend about 508 EUR.
Holidaymakers who would like to benefit from the highest level of convenience will be pleased with the premium option. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total about 927 EUR for drivers who are considering car rental and 508 EUR for those who do not want to rent. Travellers who would like to cover the tour in a premium hire car should expect a cost of roughly 180 EUR. If you are interested in the premium version of the itinerary, you need to spend the maximum of 63 EUR to cover the planned mileage. Holidaymakers should expect to pay roughly 288 EUR for food and restaurants and roughly 396 EUR for accommodation options if they opt for the exclusive standard of services.
Our trip is also perfect for camper enthusiasts. When it comes to this means of transport, you will pay up to roughly 450 EUR. Gasoline to tank a camper for the whole road trip will cost more or less 63 EUR. Holidaymakers should expect to pay more or less 144 EUR for expenses connected with food and roughly 110 EUR for overnight stays if they want to travel in a camper.
All of the details connected with expenses are available in the section Road Trip Costs.
The part of Illinois mentioned in our road trip idea is most enjoyable between May and October. There are numerous interesting road trips and scenic drives that are available on our website if you like Illinois River Road Trip. Even the most demanding of tourists will definitely be pleased with the broad spectrum of our trips.