"Illinois (IL), often referred to as the ""Land of Lincoln"", offers a nice variety of scenic Midwestern motorcycle rides, interesting history, and notable cultural attractions. Cultural and tourist highlights include the Anderson Japanese Gardens, the numerous Amish villages throughout the state, and the Southern and Southwestern Illinois wine trails. Scenic attractions include Starved Rock State Park, the Garden of the Gods, the Shawnee National Forest, and Spoon River Valley. Historical places of interest include the homes of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Ronald Reagan, the Illinois Railway Museum, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and the Cahokia mounds.
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Best Rated Motorcycle Roads & Rides
Color Key: top-5 ranked routes in the state
#1#2#3#4#5
Routes ranked below the top-5 are drawn in gray
As with most of Illinois, the scenery consists of farmland and few trees. However, as you work your way further south on this route the more the scenery and elevation changes for the better. You'll…
Most of the scenery on the Illinois portion of this route is farmland. The Indiana portion provides elevation changes, twisty roads through thick forests and small towns for the occasional respite.…
The area is relatively very hilly for Illinois, with thick woods, and deep ravines at certain points. In the fall it's especially beautiful with the fall color changes.
A wonderful example of "small town Midwest" coupled with beautiful shots of nature as the route hugs the Rock River. Rock River features sections of rock formations and ravines. A statue of Chief…
We mapped out this route to get us up to the Peoria Grand National TT race without saddle time on the interstates. The slower pace allows a rider to appreciate the small towns and surrounding…
Fields, open road, light traffic, small towns is what you'll see if you decide to exit I 57 and take IL state route 37. We enjoy the short jaunt from Mt. Vernon to Effingham.
Most of the first 30% of the ride is typical farm country road views of farmhouses and pastures. Occasionally, the small town at 25-30 mph. Once across the border and into Beloit and beyond, the view…
Ride some low-congestion two-lane blacktop and get away from the city congestion. You'll see many farms, an ultralite airfield, a competition go-cart track and a beautiful state park.
Go from the prairies to the "mountains" of Illinois while enjoying some really winding roads with great scenery and riding thrills.
The Mississippi river is on one side, and typically there are bluffs, caves, beautiful farm fields, wetlands or something beautiful on the other side to see. The road is all paved and it takes you…
This area is called the Illinois Ozarks located in the very Southern Part of Illinois between the Mississippi River and Missouri on the West and the Ohio River and Kentucky on the East. The area is…
On this route you'll start out by cruising high above the surrounding areas as you drive a series of Army Corps of Engineers flood levees. Along the route are quaint little farms and patches of woods…
