Take a look at our checklist of one of the best highway journeys from Chicago, Illinois to find extra of the USA Midwest!
Chicago, the well-known “Windy Metropolis” is likely one of the USA’s most unbelievable cities. There’s a wealth of experiences awaiting travellers in Chicago, from participating within the sports activities scene to tasting native meals delicacies or diving into the artwork and historical past.
However past the town limits of the downtown space, there’s far more to see and do. For many who have time on their fingers, attempt one in every of these highway journeys from Chicago!
Whether or not you’re in search of fast day journeys or a extra bold weekend highway journey, a scenic drive outdoors Chicago can open your eyes to the wonders of the Midwest.
Go to Milwaukee or Cleveland for the massive metropolis vibes, or hunt down small city allure in rural Illinois. Tackle a handy highway journey to someplace close by on the shores of Lake Michigan, or embark on lengthy weekend highway journeys into neighboring states.
Take a look at superb state parks resembling Starved Rock State Park, or hunt down world-class museums in one other Midwest metropolis like St. Louis. Highway journeys from Chicago are an incredible technique to increase your horizons whereas visiting this iconic US metropolis.
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14 Finest Highway Journeys From Chicago
These highway journeys from Chicago showcase all of the highlights of the world, whether or not you’re in search of a resort city on a lake, a busy metropolis with avenue artwork and nightlife, or a distant state forest.
Metropolis dwellers hoping to enterprise outdoors Chicago and take a look at extra of the Midwest have so many choices for highway journeys, so think about one in every of these locations to your subsequent getaway!
1. Starved Rock State Park
- Distance from Chicago: 93 miles
- Driving time: 1.5 hours
At simply over an hour and half from the Windy Metropolis, Starved Rock State Park makes a wonderful highway journey for nature lovers.
As you drive southwest, the city skyline of Chicago regularly fades into rolling farmlands, dotted with charming barns and wind generators. You may cease in cities like Ottawa or Utica, the place cozy diners and vintage outlets showcase the relaxed tempo of rural Illinois.
Starved Rock State Park is likely one of the greatest state parks in Illinois, well-known for its sandstone canyons and seasonal waterfalls.
With over 13 miles of mountaineering trails, guests can discover various ecosystems, from riverfront views alongside the Illinois River to forested paths winding via canyon partitions. In winter you possibly can even go cross nation snowboarding right here!
Starved Rock State Park can be wealthy in historical past, named after a Native American legend, and offers varied out of doors actions like fishing, kayaking, and picnicking, making it an ideal day journey or weekend journey.
2. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park
- Distance from Chicago: 48 miles
- Driving time: 50 minutes
One other one of many coolest highway journeys from Chicago is Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park. It’s slightly below an hour from the town to this epic nationwide park, making it a well-liked spot for day journeys or weekend getaways.
Situated alongside the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park is the proper place to attach with nature on a weekend highway journey. Right here, towering sand dunes meet lush forests, wetlands, and prairies.
Stretching over 15 miles of shoreline, the park offers beautiful views of Lake Michigan in addition to expansive seashores and quite a few mountaineering trails that wind via the distinctive ecosystems.
Guests can discover the park’s wealthy biodiversity, house to lots of of chook species, uncommon crops, and wildlife.
Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park can be steeped in historical past and tradition. The world was as soon as house to Indigenous tribes, and later industrial progress reworked the area throughout the early twentieth century.
Right now, the park preserves each its pure and cultural heritage with interpretive applications and historic websites like Chellberg Farm and the Century of Progress Properties. Guests can study concerning the space’s historical past whereas having fun with leisure actions resembling swimming, fishing, and tenting.
Discover extra: 9 Spectacular Should-Do Day Journeys From Chicago
3. Cleveland
- Distance from Chicago: 345 miles
- Driving time: 5.5 hours
In case you’re in search of some extra bold highway journeys from Chicago, think about a go to to Cleveland, Ohio. A highway journey from the Windy Metropolis to Cleveland is round 5.5 hours, making it a handy place to spend a weekend journey.
Cleveland, Ohio, is a dynamic metropolis situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie. It’s a hub of the Midwest and has turn into a middle for arts, music, and sports activities.
Guests can discover the enduring Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame, dive into the town’s spookiness on a ghost tour, attend a present at Playhouse Sq., or see some historic websites on the Cleveland Historical past Middle.
The town’s lakefront additionally presents scenic parks and walkways, the place residents and guests can get pleasure from waterfront actions like kayaking, boating, and beachside rest.
Along with its cultural choices, Cleveland has a deep-rooted sports activities tradition. The town is house to beloved groups just like the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cleveland Browns (NFL), and Cleveland Guardians (MLB), making it a chief vacation spot for sports activities followers.
Meals fans can discover historic markets just like the West Aspect Market, identified for its contemporary produce and various meals distributors, or indulge within the metropolis’s rising craft beer and restaurant scene. For metropolis lovers, Cleveland makes an epic highway journey from Chicago!
4. Lake Geneva
- Distance from Chicago: 83 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
For a highway journey filled with pure magnificence, sprawling farmlands, mild rolling hills, and charming small cities, head north into Wisconsin and go to Lake Geneva. This highway journey route additionally presents an opportunity to cease at attention-grabbing roadside sights, like vintage outlets, farmers’ markets, and rustic diners.
Upon arriving at Lake Geneva, you’re welcomed by the crystal-clear waters of the lake, surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque shoreline houses. The city itself is a hub of leisure and rest, providing actions like boating, fishing, and lounging on the seashore.
The Geneva Lake Shore Path is a superb place to stroll alongside the water’s edge, with views of historic estates and pure magnificence.
Whether or not you’re seeking to spend the day having fun with water sports activities, exploring native boutiques, or indulging in wonderful eating at one of many many lakeside eating places, Lake Geneva is an ideal vacation spot for highway journeys from Chicago.
5. St. Louis
- Distance from Chicago: 297 miles
- Driving time: 4.5 hours
St. Louis, Missouri, is likely one of the hottest weekend journeys from Chicago. It’s a bit far to drive on a day journey, so most individuals may want to stretch their highway journey out into a number of days.
A highway journey from Chicago to St. Louis presents a scenic and traditionally wealthy journey via the guts of the Midwest. Masking virtually 300 miles, the drive takes you thru a mixture of bustling cities, quiet small cities, and huge farmlands.
Alongside the best way, you possibly can discover quirky roadside sights just like the towering Gemini Big in Wilmington or go to the quaint city of Springfield, house to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Arriving in St. Louis, you’re greeted by the enduring Gateway Arch, symbolizing the town’s position because the “Gateway to the West.” Located alongside the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Louis is thought for its wealthy cultural historical past, vibrant music scene, and well-known delicacies like St. Louis-style barbecue and gooey butter cake.
Spend a while within the downtown space, trying out sights just like the Missouri Botanical Backyard, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, or the Metropolis Museum. And make sure to catch a Cardinals baseball sport at Busch Stadium!
The town’s mixture of historic landmarks, city vitality, and Midwestern hospitality makes it a rewarding vacation spot on the finish of your highway journey.
6. Traverse Metropolis
- Distance from Chicago: 319 miles
- Driving time: 4 hours and 45 minutes
Highway journeys to Traverse Metropolis, Michigan, are an incredible technique to escape downtown Chicago and discover the scenic lakes of the US. The drive presents picturesque stops like South Haven and Holland, the place you possibly can discover charming lakefront cities and sandy seashores.
As you proceed towards northern Michigan, the plush hills, orchards, and vineyards of the area set the scene for the pure magnificence awaiting you.
Arriving into the glowing waters of Grand Traverse Bay, this charming small city is known for its cherry orchards, wineries, and farm-to-table delicacies.
Nature lovers can benefit from the close by Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore, providing breathtaking views, mountaineering trails, and sand dunes. Traverse Metropolis additionally has a energetic downtown, stuffed with boutique outlets, artwork galleries, and eating places with scrumptious meals from close by farms.
7. Milwaukee
- Distance from Chicago: 92 miles
- Driving time: 1.5 hours
One other among the best fast and simple highway journeys from Chicago is to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You may drive north alongside the western fringe of Lake Michigan, stopping in pretty lakeside cities alongside the best way resembling Kenosha or North Bay.
When you arrive in Milwaukee, there’s heaps to do for leisure throughout your day journey or weekend journey!
Also known as “Brew Metropolis,” Milwaukee has a deep connection to beer, house to historic breweries like Miller Brewing Firm, in addition to a thriving craft beer scene. Guests can discover this legacy at spots just like the Milwaukee Public Market or by taking a brewery tour mixed with a go to to the Harley Davidson Museum.
The town’s structure is equally placing, with the Milwaukee Artwork Museum’s iconic, winged construction standing as an emblem of the town’s inventive spirit. From museums and theaters to festivals like Summerfest, Milwaukee presents a mix of artwork and tradition for guests.
The RiverWalk, a pedestrian-friendly pathway alongside the Milwaukee River, connects lots of the metropolis’s neighborhoods and is lined with artwork installations, eating places, artwork galleries, and outlets.
Sports activities followers can catch a Milwaukee Brewers baseball sport at American Household Area, whereas meals lovers can be a part of a guided meals tour with a neighborhood. With its mixture of historical past, tradition, and Midwestern allure, Milwaukee is a metropolis that gives each rest and pleasure.
Learn extra: 22 Finest Issues To Do In Milwaukee, Wisconsin
8. Shawnee Nationwide Forest
- Distance from Chicago: 332 miles
- Driving time: 5 hours
In case you’re seeking to escape the massive metropolis vibes, think about a highway journey to Shawnee Nationwide Forest. This is likely one of the greatest highway journey locations for nature lovers, wine lovers, hikers, and anybody hoping to decelerate and loosen up for a weekend.
Head down into Southern Illinois, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a scenic highway journey via the picturesque countryside. Upon arriving at Shawnee Nationwide Forest, you’ll uncover a surprising panorama of rugged cliffs, lush forests, and winding rivers.
The forest is thought for its various ecosystems and out of doors adventures, making it a paradise for hikers, rock climbers, and nature fans.
Trails just like the Backyard of the Gods supply breathtaking views of sandstone formations and expansive vistas, whereas the close by Rim Rock Leisure Path showcases stunning surroundings and distinctive rock formations.
Broaden your out of doors journey to the close by vineyards with a visit to the Shawnee Hills Wine Path as effectively. Spanning about 30 miles, the path options a number of boutique wineries, every providing distinctive native wines created from grapes grown within the fertile soil of the area.
From beautiful wine to breathtaking nature, that is among the many favourite Midwest highway journeys for a lot of travellers.
9. Grand Seashore
- Distance from Chicago: 69 miles
- Driving time: 1 hour and 11 minutes
Some of the handy highway journeys from Chicago is Grand Seashore, Michigan. That is the proper day journey for these heat climate days in summer season if you simply need to spend a while on the lake!
Grand Seashore is an enthralling lakeside neighborhood located alongside the shores of Lake Michigan, identified for its picturesque sandy seashores and tranquil environment.
This quaint village is a part of the bigger Harbor Nation space and presents an ideal retreat for these seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of metropolis life. With its scenic shoreline, you possibly can spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and mountaineering alongside lakeside strolling trails.
So if you happen to’re in search of simple highway journeys from Chicago the place you possibly can soak within the solar and luxuriate in some small city allure, head over to Harbor Nation!
10. Grand Rapids
- Distance from Chicago: 178 miles
- Driving time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
A highway journey from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan, presents a scenic and fulfilling drive that covers virtually 180 miles and takes round three hours. Heading east from Chicago, you’ll move via picturesque landscapes, scenic views of the Lake Michigan shoreline, and alternatives to cease in charming lakefront cities like St. Joseph or New Buffalo.
As you progress additional inland, the rolling hills and vineyards of southwest Michigan supply a peaceable transition into the colourful metropolis of Grand Rapids.
Cease in Saugatuck Dunes State Park for some unbelievable sand dunes, trails, and views of Lake Michigan earlier than heading into Grand Rapids.
Recognized for its thriving craft beer scene, artwork museums, and exquisite parks, Grand Rapids makes for an ideal highway journey vacation spot with heaps to see and do.
Nestled alongside the Grand River, the town presents a mixture of city sights and out of doors actions, together with museums just like the Grand Rapids Artwork Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
The town’s historic heritage is mirrored in its superbly restored downtown, which hosts festivals, reside music, and quite a lot of eating choices. Grand Rapids can be acknowledged as “Beer Metropolis, USA,” boasting quite a few award-winning breweries, making it a hotspot for beer fans and vacationers alike.
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11. Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
- Distance from Chicago: 586 miles
- Driving time: 9 hours
This is likely one of the longest highway journeys from Chicago on this checklist, however these prepared for an epic journey ought to think about this one if they’ve time!
A highway journey from Chicago to the Nice Smoky Mountains in Tennessee blesses travellers with the possibility to enterprise via the guts of the Midwest.
You may cease in iconic cities like Indianapolis, Indiana or Louisville, Kentucky, taking your time to uncover the native tradition and panorama of the USA. It’s an extremely scenic drive, particularly as you close to the peaks of the Smokies.
As probably the most visited nationwide park in the USA, the Nice Smoky Mountains function a surprising array of landscapes, from lush forests and cascading waterfalls to rugged mountain peaks and vibrant wildflower shows.
Dwelling to over 800 miles of mountaineering trails, together with a portion of the Appalachian Path, the park presents numerous alternatives for out of doors adventures like mountaineering, tenting, and wildlife watching. It’s among the best highway journeys for bit-time hikers and explorers!
12. Inexperienced Bay
- Distance from Chicago: 207 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours and quarter-hour
Simply over 3 hours north of Chicago lies Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. Recognized for its deep soccer roots and small-town allure, this is likely one of the most scenic highway journeys from Chicago as you get to drive north alongside the quaint shores of Lake Michigan.
The highest exercise when you arrive in Inexperienced Bay is catching a soccer sport! The world is house to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, one of many NFL’s most storied franchises. Lambeau Area, the guts of the town, attracts soccer followers from around the globe to expertise its wealthy historical past and passionate fanbase.
Past soccer, Inexperienced Bay presents quite a lot of sights, from the scenic fantastic thing about the waterfront to family-friendly spots just like the Inexperienced Bay Botanical Backyard and the Nationwide Railroad Museum.
The town additionally boasts a energetic downtown space with eating places, breweries, and outlets, providing a mixture of trendy facilities and Midwestern hospitality. It’s a enjoyable place to spend a weekend even if you happen to’re not an enormous fan of sports activities!
13. Des Moines
- Distance from Chicago: 333 miles
- Driving time: 5 hours
One other well-liked possibility for weekend highway journeys from Chicago is Des Moines, the capital metropolis of Iowa.
As you drive west from the town, you’ll move the scenic rolling hills and picturesque small cities of the Midwest. You may break up the drive in cities like Davenport, a part of the Quad Cities area alongside the Mississippi River, which presents scenic riverfront parks and quirky native museums.
The route is good for a leisurely journey, with alternatives to discover native diners, vintage outlets, and peaceable relaxation stops that showcase the slower tempo of rural life.
Des Moines itself has heaps to supply when it comes to tradition, historical past, artwork, and structure. Make sure to take a look at the spectacular gold-domed Capitol constructing, the Des Moines Artwork Middle, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the energetic downtown filled with eating places and breweries.
Whether or not you’re strolling alongside the Des Moines River or exploring the historic East Village district, this metropolis is a wonderful getaway from Chicago.
Discover extra of the Midwest with these day journeys from St. Louis!
14. Galena
- Distance from Chicago: 169 miles
- Driving time: 3 hours
One of many simpler highway journeys from Chicago is Galena. Head straight into the northwest nook of Illinois to discover this historic city filled with well-preserved Nineteenth-century structure and scenic magnificence.
As soon as a booming mining city, Galena has reworked into a well-liked vacation spot for guests in search of a mix of historical past and rest.
Its picturesque Important Avenue is lined with quaint boutiques, artwork galleries, and comfortable eating places housed in buildings courting again to the 1800s. The Galena Historic District options over 800 buildings listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, together with the house of former US president, Ulysses S. Grant.
These hoping to discover the wilderness can get pleasure from actions like mountaineering, {golfing}, and sizzling air balloon rides amid the beautiful landscapes of the Driftless Space.
With its laid-back environment and wealthy heritage, Galena presents an ideal getaway for these seeking to step again in time on weekend highway journeys from Chicago.
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