Overall Route Rating
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3.8 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.8
16 Reviews

Blackjack Road (Galena to Savanna)

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jun 30, 2009

Rider Reviews

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Guest
February 13, 2010
Nice scenic ride through the countryside with…
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JP Riley
10 McR Points
May 2, 2021
Some of the best riding IL has to offer.…
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Written Directions

In Galena, from the Main St/Rt 20 intersection, head east on Rt. 20. As you cross the river, and head up the hill, Blackjack Rd will be a right turn. From Savanna, go north on Rt. 84 (Great River Rd.) Go through the town of Hanover, and Blackjack Road will turn off to the left. .

Scenery

Rural road that twists and undulates for almost 15 miles. A couple of great views of the Mississippi River if you're headed south. Update contributed by Freebird3767: This route takes you through dozens and dozens of twisties and sweepers along the best that northern Illinois has to offer. Many scenic views of the Misssissippi River Valley, many pulloffs for pictures. The elevation is roughly 1000 ft.and you'll be travelling up and down 500-600' constantly. Summer is great, but fall colors in northern Illinois are amazing. A very fun ride but not for the newbies.

Drive Enjoyment

Lots of hills and turns. Very enjoyable ride, even on a trike. Offers the closet thing to "The Dragon" that Illinois offers. Update contributed by Freebird3767: Roads are all good asphalt and well maintained. Lots of blind twisties so watch for deer.

Tourism Opportunities

Nothing commercial on the road itself. Galena is a unique historical town with museums, shopping, vineyards, and a great shopping area. Savanna has Mississippi Palisades State Park, offering incredible views of the river, as well as small town shopping and restaurants. Check out Poopy's, which is a bar/restaurant/biker gear/tattoo parlor all rolled into one location. 1030 Viaduct Rd. Savanna. Update contributed by Freebird3767: The Ironhorse Saloon in Savanna is a great place to meet for a beer. Historic Galena has many restaurants and pubs and was home to General Grant. Mississippi Palisades State Park has many observation decks for pictures also.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Sabre21c@yahoo.com
June 3, 2019
45 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Nice road to take going to Savana, some nice curves and rolling hills. Have rode it several times.
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je1hoss
August 31, 2017
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Want a few more turns and hills? Leave Rt. 84 in Hanover at Plateau st. this will turn into Monroe and then E. Hanover Rd., turn right on Derinda rd. this will turn into Scenic Ridge Rd. and 5th St. and Weber St. Then Clay st., at stop sign turn left, you are in Savanna. Enjoy!
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Vito
August 22, 2015
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Fun and exciting road. While not "The Tail of the Dragon", it is a twisty, curvy road with great scenery and certainly one of the very best roads in Illinois if not the whole Midwest. The road is only moderately well maintained, with no shoulders, a fair amount of debris and gravel on the road, and an almost invisible center stripe. Despite the 55 posted speed limit, I rarely went over 45 on my two-up heavy cruiser, and was passed only once (by a car) and was catching up to a few other motorcycle riders when I reached Galena. For me, this was the highlight of a 212 mile round trip from Rockford. I started by taking Hwy 2 south along the Rock River to Oregon, Hwy 64 west to Savanna, Hwy 84 north to Hanover, and Blackjack Road to Galena, then Hwy 20 all the way back to Rockford. Hwy 20 is a nice road, especially the parts nearer to Galena. Had a nice lunch in Galena at Durty Gurty's for a total riding day of about 6 hours.
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