Photo Credit: Adam Alexander/Courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism

Thank you, Great River Road fans: thanks to your support, the Great River Road has been selected as the Best Scenic Drive in America in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

A panel of travel experts nominated 20 routes for the Best Scenic Drive distinction, including the Great River Road as well as other highways and byways like the Natchez Trace Parkway (which starts in Natchez, Mississippi—one of the cities on the Great River Road), the Blue Ridge Parkway, Route 66, and the Pacific Coast Highway.

Online voting ran from April 7 through May 5, and thanks to an incredible effort from our fans, the Great River Road took the top spot!

See the top 10 winners here.

Summer is a great time to explore the scenic beauty of the Great River Road, which follows the Mississippi River through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana. 

Need some trip inspiration? Check out these articles to learn more about where to go and what to see along the Great River Road?

• Scenic spots on the Great River Road
• Explore natural beauty along the Great River Road
• Can’t-miss parks and natural areas along the Great River Road
• Take a trip along the northern Great River Road
• What to see & do along the southern Great River Road

You can also follow the Great River Road on Facebook and Instagram.