Highlights: antique hunting, beautiful river views, and wonderful eroded bluffs.
Kick off this portion of the Great River Road (GRR) drive in the lovely town of Savanna, Illinois, on the Mississippi across from Iowa. Savanna offers much for the antique-hunter. There are also pretty Victorian mansions sitting on top of the bluffs. A must see is Mississippi Palisades State Park, accessed by driving north from Savanna on Route 84. A drive through this park offers wonderful eroded bluffs and beautiful river views. Cross the river from Savanna to Iowa and head south on U.S. 67 for the Quad Cities (Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, and Bettendorf) from Savanna where the terrain becomes flatter than might be expected for about 50 miles.
Ole Miss is hiding through much of this route, but it can be viewed in a few recreation places in the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge area. Driving toward the Quad Cities, the GRR passes on the northeastern edge of Le Claire, Iowa. Cross the river back to Illinois on I-74 and proceed south on U.S. 67. The Quad Cities place is home to some 400,000 residents on what was once Indian land. In 1856, the first bridge over the Mississippi connected Rock Island and Davenport. Today, visitors can ride the train between the 2 adjoining towns, at no cost, or take the highway for a 50-cent toll. Go south from the Quad City area on U.S. 67 for about 45 miles and go west at the junction of Rte. 17 to New Boston, Illinios, a small town at the mouth of the Iowa River. Farther south is Keithsburg, the doorway to Yellow Bank country, named after the deep layer of sand out in the open in the river valley.
Follow Route 94 south and head west on Route 34 to the Burlington area. From the Burlington area, proceed to Route 96 to Quincy. If you stop at the Big River State Forest, you’ll see sandburs and cactus! In 1839, you will go through Nauvoo, founded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and named by Mormon leader Joseph Smith. Keep an eye out for wild turkeys and river turtles crossing the road. The final stop on this amusing drive is Quincy, Illinois, a modest-sized city of German origin that was once home to anti-abolitionist Stephen Douglas. The city is situated on the bluffs and is worth a drive through just for the view. For a side trip, cross the river and go south a short distance to the town of Hannibal Missouri where you can see the picket fence that Tom Sawyer painted for Becky Thatcher.
Starting Point:
Savanna, IL
Distance of Drive:
272 miles
Must Eat:
The Faithful Pilot
117 N. Cody Rd., Le Claire, IA 52753
Phone: 563-289-4156
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Fall and summer
Points of Interest on Drive:
Joseph Smith Historic Center, corner of Route 96 and Water Street (free, daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Deere and Company headquarters, The Quad Cities (John Deere Road, Hwy-5, Moline, IL), 10:30 am -1:30 pm, free
Buffalo Bill Museum, Le Claire, IA (open daily 9 am-5 pm, May 15-Oct 15, rest of the year, weekends only, $1)
Davenport Museum of Art, 1737 W. 12th Street (open Tues-Sun til 4:30), Davenport, IA
Nauvoo LDS Visitors Center (daily 9-am-9-pm in summer, 9 am-5-pm, rest of year, free, 217/453-2237)
Tagged with: best time:summer and fall • Illinois
Filed under: Best Road Trips