The Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The scenic route passes through 10 states and hundreds of river towns. The Great River Road is arguably the longest and most important scenic byway in America and has been named the Best Scenic Drive in America.
The Drive
It takes about 36 hours of straight driving to travel from north to south along the byway. Most people take 10 to 14 days to make the entire journey, but many people complete segments and return to the route year after year.
Pilot’s Wheel Road Signs
The Great River Road is a well-marked series of different roads and highways that roughly follow the winding course of the Mississippi Ri
ver. All along the Great River Road, travelers will find white signs displaying the green pilot’s wheel logo. The familiar pilot’s wheel symbol denotes which roads are part of the designated route. The route has been selected for its natural, cultural, historical, recreational and scenic properties.
Learn more about the pilot’s wheel here.
America’s Byways – All-American Road
The Great River Road is designated as an All-American Road, a special category of National Scenic Byway that’s only awarded to the most outstanding byways in the country. This federal designation recognizes the Great River Road’s outstanding assets in the areas of culture, history, nature, recreation and scenic beauty. All along the Great River Road All-American Road, you’ll find tourism amenities as well as Interpretive Centers that help travelers experience the many facets of the Mississippi River Region.
What You’ll Experience
All along the Great River Road, visitors will find interesting things to see and do, including a number of river-related attractions and designated Interpretive Centers. The communities you’ll encounter along the way—from tiny riverside villages to vibrant metropolises—are where you’ll experience the living history of the region through music, culture, and local cuisine.
See traveler recommendations on what flavors to sample up and down the Great River Road.
Travelers can spend a day exploring a short portion of the byway, or a week traveling through several states – or many weeks traveling the entire length of the river. It would take a lifetime to truly experience all that the Great River Road has to offer. Start your Great River Road journey today.
Learn more
- All about our Interpretive Centers
- 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.