Area Roads

"When my mood gets too hot and I find myself wandering beyond control I pull out my motor-bike and hurl it top-speed through these unfit roads for hour after hour. My nerves are jaded and gone near dead, so that nothing less than hours of voluntary danger will prick them into life: and the 'life' they reach is a melancholy joy at risking something worth exactly 2/9 a day."

-T.E. Lawrence

Here in Illinois, the roads are often similar to the cornfields, flat, straight and boring. We're always on the lookout for some good twisties, or just a scenic road to enjoy. We'll try to compile a small list of enjoyable roads we've found along the way.

N.E. ILLINOIS

For a rush of a lifetime, take Gilmore Rd. north to Rte. 176 and watch out for buffalo. Gilmore Rd. starts just north of Rte. 22 and Rte. 83 and goes northwest through some of the prettiest prairie, forest, horse ranches and buffalo that you can imagine. It's good spring, summer and fall. So don't miss it.

Courtesy of: JMARA40@aol.com

Sheridan Road, north from Evanston to Lake Bluff (app. 22 miles) takes you along Lake Michigan's western shores through some of the most expensive real estate in the Midwest. Lots of stone mansions, wooded areas, winding two lane road and several points of interest along the way. Stop by Gross Point Light House in Evanston, Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, and Ft. Sheridan in Highwood.

Mineola Bay is "the oldest wooden structure in Illinois." It is a giant hotel that overlooks the Mineola Bay located in Fox Lake, Illinois and has been a historical landmark since before renown gangster, Al Capone, frequented the area. The bar is located on the main level and is known for their great food and beautiful views of the bay. Directions: (unsure of exact street names though would be available with a phone call). Take Route 12 (Rand) North past Route 134 into the town of Fox Lake and take a right on the very first street after the Chevy dealer. Go up the hill until the stop sign and make a left and then take your first right. The road will jog down to the Mineola, also known for their spectacular 4th of July fireworks displays.

Courtesy of: Cherry@ameritech.net

N. CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Afternoon ride: (about 150 mi.)
From Plainfield, go west on IL. Rt. 126 about 4 mi., turn south on Ridge Road, take that as far south as it goes. Turn right, (west) and just meander your way over to Ottawa. Take your time, you are bound to make a few wrong turns along the way. Enjoy the scenery while you try to get your bearings. The basic idea is to stay as close as you can to the Illinois River. You can stay on the north side of the river until Seneca. At Seneca, cross the river on IL. Rt. 170, then turn west again just over the bridge. Take that road west until you get to Rt. 23, turn right. (north) This will take you into Ottawa, where you will turn left (west) on IL. Rt. 71 to Starved Rock State Park. Lots of interesting stuff in the area - the park, the I&M canal, the Illinois River, etc. Rt. 71 between Ottawa and the park is very scenic too. Return on Rt. 71, stop in Ottawa at the Dairy Queen. (you earned it!) Continue northeast on Rt. 71 all the way to Oswego. At Oswego, turn east on Wolfs Crossing Road.(go east where Rt. 34 and 71 intersect) This road becomes 95th street which takes you back to Naperville.

Courtesy of Dave at: 73231.233@CompuServe.COM

N.W. ILLINOIS

Illinois Rt. 2 between Rockford and Dixon is a great "color" jaunt in the autumn. Most of the first 30 miles from Rockford to Oregon, IL. runs between stone cliffs and the Rock River. The entire length of it is heavily wooded.

West on Illinois U.S. 20 (west of Freeport) for 40 mi. to Galena. Visit Gen. U.S. Grant's home, then back east on U.S. 20 to Illinois Rt. 84 at Chestnut Mt. Ski Resort, then south on Rt. 84 for 90 mi. to Interstate 74 in Moline. Stop by the Fulton lock and damn #13 for a look at the river traffic. This historically designated "Great River Road" path follows the mighty Mississippi River's eastern banks.

Day trip: (about 450 mi.)
From Oswego take US Rt. 34 west about 50 miles until it intersects IL. Rt. 92. Turn right, go west on 92. Somewhere around the big river you will intersect Rt. 84. Take that north to Savanna. At US Rt. 64/52, go west, cross the river, continue on Rt. 52 which will take you north to Dubuque. This is the best part of the trip. Hills, river bluffs, very nice in the fall. At Dubuque, you have a number of choices. You can go north into Wisconsin and go east on Rt. 11. Or you can go north a few miles more and catch Rt. 81. Take these roads east and start wandering southward just past Janesville/Beloit. Finally, if you prefer to stay in IL., there are a number of options. You can take US 20 to Galena, and all the rest of the way back. Another option is to catch the Stagecoach Trail at Galena. Watch for the signs, or ask the locals. This road is not quite as panoramic as US 20, but the traffic is much lighter and the scenery is still quite nice. If you look at a map, this is the road that goes through Scales Mound, Apple River, Warren, and rejoins US 20 near Lena. Another option is to go south from Galena on Blackjack road which will intersect Rt. 84 at Hanover. You can take Rt. 84 down to Savanna, catch Rt. 64 and go east straight across the state to return home.

Courtesy of Dave at: 73231.233@CompuServe.COM

S.W. WISCONSIN

Rt. 60 Sauk City to Prairie du Chein, 120 miles. Meandering highway that follows the Wisconsin River Valley. Beautiful scenery, well-paved, many curvy sections. Fairly direct route from Madison, WI to Wyalusing State Park, where the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers meet. A great place to camp and look at the scenery.

Kettle Moraine State Forest in Southern Wisconsin.

From the Chicago Northwest Suburbs take hwy. 14 north past Crystal Lake, (after Crystal Lake the road opens up and the traffic decreases) keep going through Woodstock, Harvard and when you get just past the state line near Walworth, take hwy 67 north. Continue on hwy. 67 north through Elkhorn, to Eagle Wisconsin. Once in Eagle follow the scenic drive signs through the Kettle Morain State Forest. There are several small highways that wind through the forest. Stop at one of the campgrounds and you can pick up a map showing the entire area. It is about 160 miles round trip from Palatine.

Courtesy of: ejgard@enteract.com

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