Planning Your Illinois Roadtrip

There’s nothing better than hitting the open road and letting your vacation plan itself. If you would like to see more of Illinois as well as the surrounding states, you might want to plan the perfect summer road trip that you will remember for a lifetime. Stay flexible, choose your round trip stops, and do your research. Illinois has so much to offer from big cities to beautiful nature, shimmering waterways and much more. Below you will find a few tips on how to get started with planning your road trip from Illinois.

While I share all the details you need to plan the perfect Illinois roadtrip, you may come across affiliate links I’ve included to products and travel services I actually use and wholeheartedly recommend. If you see something you like and make a purchase, I earn a small commission from it to help me keep my blog going! I’m so grateful for your support.

Explore the Natural Wonders of Illinois

If you only have a weekend to spare, and would like to see as much as possible from the natural beauty of the state, you will have to plan your itinerary carefully, so you can see everything worth seeing. Start off from Chicago, have a breakfast on the roadside or one of the upmarket cafes of the city. Visit the Illinois Beach State Park, where you can take in the beautiful scenes of Lake Michigan and explore the over 6 miles long shoreline. If you need a break from driving, you might want to stop by the Matthiessen State Park, where you will see stunning waterfalls and great rock formations. In case you are traveling with kids, don’t forget to stop by the Giant City State Park, where you can see some freaky stone structures that will start off your imagination.

Lake MIchigan

Venturing into Michigan

To see more on your road trip and exercise your car, you might want to venture into Michigan. Detroit is only around four hours drive from Chicago, and it offers some fantastic sceneries and roadside attractions. Book a room at Best Western Premier Detroit Southfield to stay in comfort and get a great place to start your adventures and explore Michigan as well as the surrounding states. Start off in Chicago and follow the scenic back roads or the coastal highways, stop when you want, and take in the beautiful landscape of the states.

Outdoor Adventure Destinations
In case you would like to take short distance road trip, you can check out the area surrounding Ottawa and Utica. You will find the Starved Rock State Park, where there are plenty of fantastic camping sites and outdoor activity centers awaiting. Try freshwater fishing, cycling, or even rock climbing. Take a boat ride in the morning, or simply watch the sunset every night. You can find other rock climbing centers in Illinois if you would like to take your skills to the next level, such as the Shawnee National Forest near Harrisburg or the Giant City State Park in Makanda.

Sand Dunes on Lake Michigan

Ozarks Tour Round Trip

If you are looking for a great culture trip, you can visit the Ozark land of Illinois. Start off in Carbondale, where you can familiarize yourself with the traditions of Salukis. Stop by the Ohio river to take some stunning pictures, or capture the tranquility of some of the traditional places. Make sure that you check out the cypress forests, the Karbers Ridge, and some of the stunning waterfalls.

Taking a road trip can be a great adventure, especially if you are starting off from Illinois. Check out the above trails and start planning your journey today.

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Planning Your Illinois Roadtrip