Where to Find Scenic Drives in Southern Illinois in Fall

If you’re looking for the most beautiful autumn drives, Southern Illinois is full of them. Mid-October through early November is the perfect time to go for a drive because the leaves are already changing into rich hues of yellow, red, and orange. As the leaves change color, you can tour your state to see them in action. If you just bought a new car and want to go on a scenic drive this fall, these are just a few destinations you can check out with the family.

The Trail of Tears State Forest

Late sun streams through the grove of Oak trees with a distant red Japanese Maple tree by Dulcey Lima is licensed with Unsplash License

If you like your scenic drives with the added benefit of historical content, the Trail of Tears will be an informative drive. The Trail of Tears is the route taken by several Cherokee groups in 1838 when they were forced out of their homelands and sent to Oklahoma as part of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The Trail of Tears stretches through southern Illinois for 60 miles. You’ll travel the route via State Highway 146 and some country roads that give you incredible foliage views.

You can stop at Trail of Tears State Forest along the way, which includes 5,000 acres in the Ozark Hills. In the park, you can hike or camp near views of rocky ridges and clear valley streams under a canopy of red, orange, and gold leaves. You’ll see a lot more than gorgeous trees, as the park is also a National Audubon Society’s Great River Birding Trail. You’ll also drive past plenty of rural farms along the way, which offer their beautiful views as an addition to your history lesson.

Meeting of the Great Rivers

Some say that the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Technically, the Great River Road is over 2,000 miles long, but you’ll take in just a short stretch of this drive. The scenic byway is just 33 miles and stretches from Hartford to Grafton. Along your drive, you’ll see the convergence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, gorgeous limestone river bluffs, glorious trees, and local plants.

As you explore the trail, you’ll come across several highlights. Starting at the southernmost point, you’ll first see the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, followed by Wood River, which is also home to some of the few remaining Sears homes with a backdrop of autumn trees. You’ll also get amazing views of nature at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Alton Riverfront, and Riverview Park. Not only will you get an excellent fall backdrop, but you’ll also get remarkable views of the river.

Pere Marquette State Park

If you want a short but stunning drive, you can drive through Pere Marquette State Park and take in all the divine colors. The park encompasses more than 8,000 acres and is one of the most exquisite destinations you can find along the Illinois River. The best views are on the aptly named Scenic Drive. The road takes you to several beautiful overlooks inside the park, including Eagles Roost and Lovers Leap Lookouts. Both give you plenty of great vantage points.

Once you tire of driving, you can get out at the park and hike on 12 miles of marked trails. In addition to gorgeous bluffs, the park also offers wildlife and golden colors. If you’d like to make your trip an overnighter, you can reserve a campground in advance.

S-67 Country Loop

The US-67 Country Loop is one of the state’s best drives, and the best thing about it is that you can enter the loop anywhere to see the sights. Many Illinois drivers recommend driving counterclockwise on the loop. You can drive downriver, which provides magnificent views for 90 miles. The drive takes just over two hours.

Driving this way, you’ll still get to explore the Mississippi River, but the loop also takes you inland. Your scenic drive takes you through Alton, Godfrey, and Jerseyville. While it’s lovely to explore the river, this part of the loop offers an exploration of rural Illinois that is perfect for autumn.

Calhoun County Vistas & Ferries Loop

The Calhoun County Vistas and Ferries Loop take about an hour and a half to drive. The 63-mile loop takes you through orchards and hills along a winding road. You’ll even come across some riverboat ferries, including the Golden Eagle and Brussels Ferries.

You can enter the loop, which uses IL-100, at any point, but many people start at Great River Road outside Grafton and travel around Gilbert, Lower Stump, Fowler, and Fuller Lakes, and the Illinois River. Crossing the rivers gives you a great vantage point for fall foliage.

The Right Honda Makes Your Drive Better

As you explore southern Illinois this fall, you want to hit the road in style. You also want to find the right car for your adventures. The good news is that Honda truly has something for everybody.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a great midsize option if you have a family to transport this fall. What makes this vehicle family-friendly is the interior. The dual-zone automatic climate control keeps all your passengers comfortable as the seasons change, and even rear passengers can access USB charging points.

Honda Passport

If you plan to camp during your scenic drive, the Honda Passport is perfect. It’s a midsize SUV that can haul all your items, and the storage space in the back gets bigger when you fold the seats down. Plus, you’ll get great mileage for the vehicle’s size.

Honda Insight

Enjoying all these scenic drives means you might need a lot of fuel this fall. The Honda Insight is one of the most economical choices this year. In fact, this hybrid sedan gets 55 MPG in the city and 49 MPG on the highway.

Ike Honda has a variety of vehicles for you to look at and test drive. If you’re ready to explore your state in a new car, check out our new car inventory.