Illinois River Road
Driving Directions

Driving the Byway

West Route

  • To follow the west route, start from The Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.
  • Go west on W Lafayette St.
  • Turn south onto SR-23 for 0.3 miles to W Main St.
  • Turn west and go 0.4 miles to Clay St.
  • Turn south onto Clay St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn west onto Ottawa Ave. for 8.7 miles (after 0.5 miles, the name changes to CR-34 then immediately to N 27th Rd.
  • After 1.1 miles, the name changes to CR-34 [N 27th Rd.]).
  • Turn north onto SR-178 [Clark St.] for 0.6 miles into Utica.

From Utica

  • Turn west to stay on SR-178 [Mill St] approximately 130 yards.
  • Turn west onto SR-178 [W Church St] and go 0.1 miles.
  • Turn north onto SR-178 for 1.4 miles to US-6.
  • Turn west on US-6 for 5.1 miles.
  • Turn north onto Laharpe St briefly into La Salle.

In La Salle

  • Turn south onto Laharpe St, then immediately turn west onto US-6 [5th St] for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn south onto US-6 [Joliet St] for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn west onto US-6 [3rd St] for 1.7 miles to west St.
  • Turn north onto West St. for 0.6 miles into Peru.

In Peru

  • Return south on west St. for 0.6 miles to US-6 [4th St].
  • Turn west onto US-6 [4th St.] and follow it 3.6 miles.
  • Turn south onto Mary St. [N St. Mary St.] for 0.1 miles into Spring Valley.In Spring Valley, return north on Mary St. [N St. Mary St.] for 0.1 miles.
  • Turn west onto US-6 [E Dakota St.] for 1.5 miles.
  • Turn left off of route 6, onto route 29 and travel straight west toward DePue.
  • Turn south onto Lincoln Ave. and follow it 0.4 miles.
  • Bear west onto Marquette St. for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn south onto Broadway St. briefly.
  • The road name changes to Marquette St.; continue another 0.6 miles.
  • Turn south onto Depot St, then make an immediate west turn onto E 4th St.
  • Follow E 4th St. for 0.1 miles.
  • Turn south onto Pleasant St., then make an immediate turn east onto E 3rd St. for 0.1 miles into Depue.

In Depue

  • Stay on E 3rd St. heading west briefly to Pleasant St.
  • Turn north onto Pleasant St, then immediately turn west onto W 4th St for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn north on East St. for 0.1 miles.
  • Turn west onto Willow St. for 0.3 miles.
  • The road name changes to Princeton Rd.; follow the road 0.5 miles.
  • Bear southwest onto SR-29 [CR-1245 N] for 1.0 mile.
  • Head straight onto SR-29 [SR-26] for 3.0 miles to West St.
  • Turn east on West St. briefly.
  • Turn left to stay on West St. and continue 0.1 miles to Bureau.

In Bureau

  • Turn northwest onto West St. for 0.1 miles.
  • Turn right to stay on West St. briefly.
  • Turn northeast) onto SR-26 [SR-29] for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn north onto SR-26 for 2.4 miles.
  • Bear northwest on SR-26 [Illinois HWY-26] for 0.6 miles.
  • Bear west on SR-26 for 4.1 miles.
  • Bear north on SR-26 [S 6th St.] for approximately 150 yards.
  • Keep straight on SR-26 [S Bureau Valley Pkwy] [S 6th St.] for 0.3 miles into Princeton.

In Princeton

  • Keep straight on CR-2100 E [6th St.] for 1.7 miles to Ace Rd.
  • Turn west onto Ace Rd. for 0.9 miles.
  • Turn south onto SR-26 [Main St.] for 0.8 miles.
  • Keep straight onto US-34 [Main St.] for 1.1 miles to Park Ave. W.
  • Turn west onto Park Ave. W and follow 0.5 miles to Anderson St.
  • Turn north onto Anderson St. and go 0.3 miles.
  • Turn east onto US-6 [W Peru St.] for 1.2 miles.
  • Turn south on SR-26 [S 6th St.] for approximately 150 yards.
  • Keep straight on SR-26 [S Bureau Valley Pkwy] [S 6th St.] for 0.3 miles.
  • Bear southeast on SR-26 for 4.5 miles.
  • Turn east on SR-26 [Illinois HWY-26] for 0.4 miles.
  • Bear east on SR-26 for 2.4 miles.
  • Stay on SR-26 [SR-29] heading southwest for 1.1 miles.
  • Keep straight on SR-29 [CR-29] for 2.8 miles.
  • Turn south on SR-29 for 4.1 miles to CR-550 N.
  • Turn east onto CR-550 N briefly into Putnam.

In Putnam

  • Go south onto SR-29 [Railroad St.] [University Ave.] [University St.] for 5.5 miles into Henry.

In Henry

  • Turn east onto SR-18 [Western Ave.] briefly to SR-18 [3rd St.].
  • Bear southeast on SR-18 [3rd St.] for 0.9 miles.
  • Turn right to stay on SR-18 [School St.] for 0.1 miles to Front St.
  • Turn east briefly. The road name changes to Cromwell Dr.; continue 0.2 miles.
  • Turn southeast at the end of the Marina and continue 100 yards.
  • Turn southwest at the end of the road and follow it to the turn around at the end of the road.
  • Continue another 100 yards and turn northwest at the end of the road.
  • Continue another 100 yards and turn southwest onto Front St.
  • Go 0.2 miles to Cromwell Dr.
  • Bear southwest on Cromwell Dr. for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn north onto Main St. briefly and then turn west onto Front. St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn south onto Carroll St. briefly then turn east onto Cook St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn northwest onto Wirt St. then make an almost immediate right onto Water St. for 0.1 miles.
  • Bear northeast onto Cromwell Sr. for 0.3 miles to Front St.
  • Turn southwest on Front St. for 0.1 miles.
  • Turn north onto SR-18 [School St.] for 0.1 miles.
  • Turn west on SR-18 [3rd St.] for 0.9 miles.
  • Bear west on SR-18 [Western Ave.] briefly then turn south on SR-29 [University Ave.] for 6.5 miles.
  • Bear south onto SR-29 [N Railroad St.] [SR-17] for 0.5 miles into Sparland.

In Sparland

  • Go South on SR-29 [Railroad St.] 2.8 miles to Hopewell Dr.
  • Turn west onto Hopewell Dr. for 0.8 miles.
  • Turn south on Illini Dr. and follow 0.4 miles.
  • Turn north onto Blackfoot Dr., then immediately turn east onto Senachwine Dr. for 0.1 miles into Hopewell.

In Hopewell

  • Return west on Senachwine Dr. then make an immediate north onto Blackfoot Dr. for 1.0 mile.
  • Turn south onto Hardscrabble Rd. 2.4 miles.
  • Turn southwest onto SR-29 [N 4th St.] for 2.6 miles.
  • Turn west onto CR-72 [W Truitt Ave. for 100 yards into Chillicothe.

In Chillicothe

  • Turn south onto SR-29 [4th St.] for 2.1 miles.
  • Turn east onto Swain Rd., then immediately turn south onto N 2nd St. [R Beach Dr.] for 0.8 miles.
  • Turn east onto N Adam Ct. for 0.1 miles (road name changes to N Front St.) into Rome.

In Rome

  • Continue south on N Front St. for 0.3 miles to Knox St.
  • Bear west onto Knox St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn south onto SR-29 for 5.0 miles into Mossville.

From Mossville

  • Continue south on SR-29 for 0.8 miles.
  • Keep straight onto SR-29 [N Galena Rd] / Adams St. for 4.6 miles into Peoria Heights.

In Peoria Heights

  • Continue south on SR-29 [N Galena Rd.] / Adams St. for 1.4 miles into Peoria.

In Peoria

  • Continue south on SR-29 [NE Adams St.] for 0.1 miles.
  • Keep straight onto US-24 [NE Adams St.] for 1.1 miles.
  • Stay on US-24 [NE Jefferson Ave.] 1.7 miles.
  • Stay on US-24 [Hamilton Blvd.] southeast for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn southwest) onto SW Water St. for 0.6 miles.
  • Turn northwest on State St. [E State St.] about 100 yards then turn southwest onto US-24 [SW Washington St.] briefly to Oak St.
  • Turn northwest onto Oak St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Go southwest onto SW Jefferson Ave. or 1.6 miles to S Western Ave.
  • Bear south onto S West southwest onto US-24 [SW Adams St.] for 2.3 miles to Bartonville.

In Bartonville

  • Continue South on US-24 [McKinley Ave,] for 3.4 miles into Hollis.

In Hollis

  • Continue South-West on US 24 for 4.0 miles.
  • Turn north onto SR-9 [Walnut St.] for 0.1 miles to Mapleton.

In Mapleton

  • Return south on SR-9 [S Walnut St.] to US-24 [SR-9].
  • Turn west on US-24 [SR-9] for 10.4 miles into Banner.
  • Note: Kingston Mines is excluded from the scenic byway designation.

In Banner

  • Continue west on US-24 [SR-9] for 0.2 miles.
  • Take the ramp onto SR-9, heading North-West) for 6.6 miles.
  • Continue straight onto SR-9 [E Linn St.] for 0.3 miles into Canton.

In Canton

  • Turn north onto SR-78 [S 5th Ave.] for 0.9 miles.
  • Turn left to stay on SR-78 [E Locust St.] for 100 yards.
  • Turn north onto N 4th Ave. for 120 yards to Howard Pl.
  • Turn west onto Howard Pl. for 0.2 miles.
  • Return east on Howard Pl. 0.2 miles.
  • Turn south on N 4th Ave. for 120 yards.
  • Turn north on SR-78 [E Locust St.] for 100 yards.
  • Turn right to stay on SR-78 [N 5th Ave.] for 1.3 miles.
  • Turn left to stay on SR-78, heading South for 7.7 miles.
  • Turn east onto CR-8 [E CR-8] for 0.7 miles.
  • Bear east on CR-8 for 0.6 miles. Little America.

In Little America

  • Stay on US-24 [SR-78], continuing west for 2.9 miles.
  • Turn south onto SR-78 [SR-97] for 6.7 miles.
  • Turn east on US-136 [SR-78] for 1.6 miles.
  • Turn north onto US-136 [S Promenade St.] for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn east onto US-136 [E Laurel Ave.] for 0.3 miles into Havana.

East Route

  • Follow the east route from the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa, go west on W Lafayette St for 109 yds.
  • Turn west onto SR-23 [La Salle St.] and go 0.3 miles.
  • Bear south onto SR-23 [SR-71] [LaSalle St.] briefly.
  • Bear south onto SR-23 [SR-71] for 0.3 mi.
  • Turn west onto SR-71 [Courtney St] 8.7 miles.
  • Turn west onto SR-71 for 5.0 miles.
  • Turn east onto SR-351 [SR-71] and folow 1.1 miles into Oglesby.

In Oglesby

  • Continue south onto SR-351 [N Columbia Ave] for 2.8 miles.
  • Stay on SR-71 west for 5.2 miles to Standard. Note: Cedar Point is excluded from the scenic byway designation.

From Standard

  • Continue west on SR-71 [W Hennepin St] for 1.9 miles into Granville.

From Granville

  • Continue West on SR-71 for 1.3 miles to Mark.
  • From Mark, continue West on SR-71 for 3.3 miles to the ramp for SR-26.
  • Turn right onto the Ramp for 0.3 miles and turn south on SR-26 for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn west) onto Old Hwy 26 for 0.7 mi into Hennepin.

In Hennepin

  • Turn south onto N 4th St briefly then turn west onto E Mulberry St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn west onto Front St. for 0.1 mi to E High St.
  • Turn east onto E High St. and follow 0.2 miles.
  • Turn north onto N 4th St. for 0.2 miles.
  • Turn east onto Old Hwy 26 for 0.7 miles.
  • Turn south onto SR-26 and follow 11.0 miles.
  • At SR-18 [SR-26] turn west and go 0.6 miles.
  • Turn south onto SR-26 [N Prairie St.] [S Prairie St.] 6.6 miles into Lacon.

From Lacon

  • Continue south on SR-26 [S Prairie St] for 0.3 mi.
  • Continue straight on SR-26 for 15.7 miles.
  • Bear south onto SR-26 [N Tremont St] for 0.3 mi into Spring Bay.

From Spring Bay

  • Continue southwest on SR-26 [N Tremont St] for 0.3 mi.
  • Bear south onto SR-26 [Spring Bay Rd] for 0.8 miles into Bay View Garden.

From Bay View Garden

  • Continue South on SR-26 [Spring Bay Rd]. for 5.4 mi to the ramp for SR-116 [Caterpillar Trail].
  • Take the Ramp and go south on SR-116 [Caterpillar Trail] for 1.2 mi to the ramp for US-24.
  • Take the Ramp for US-24 and go west on US-24 briefly.
  • Turn south onto US-150 [N Main St.] 0.6 miles into East Peoria.

In East Peoria

  • Turn east onto Centennial Dr. for 0.9 mi to Highview Rd.
  • Turn southwest onto Highview Rd. for 2.1 mi to Fondulac Dr.
  • Bear south onto Fondulac Dr. for 2.2 mi.
  • Turn southwest onto US-150 [N Main St.] for approximately 150 yards.
  • Keep straight onto SR-116 [Main St.] for 0.4 miles.
  • Take the ramp for SR-29 [S Main St.] for 0.3 miles.
  • Keep straight on SR-29 [N Main St.] [S Main St.] for 2.7 miles into North Pekin.

Note: Marquette Heights is excluded from the scenic byway designation.

From North Pekin

  • Keep straight onto SR-29 for 0.4 miles.
  • Keep straight onto SR-29 [Radio City Dr.] for 3.0 miles.
  • Keep straight on SR-29 [N 8th St.] for 0.8 miles into Pekin.

In Pekin

  • Keep straight on N 8th St. for 0.4 miles to Ann Eliza St.
  • Turn west for 0.6 miles.
  • Turn south on N 2nd St. briefly.
  • Keep straight onto SR-29 [2nd St.] for 1.8 miles into Crescent.

From Crescent

  • Continue south on SR-29 [S 2nd St] for 0.7 mi.
  • Bear southwest onto Powerton Rd, then immediately bear RIGHT (West) onto E Manito Rd for 0.2 mi.
  • The road name changes to CR-1500 N [E Manito Rd]; continue 0.6 mi into Powerton.

In Powerton

  • Stay heading west on CR-1500 N [CR-16] for 0.7 mi.
  • Keep straight onto CR-1500 (N) [E Manito Rd] for 1.0 mi.
  • The road name changes to CR-16 [E Manito Rd]; continue 0.4 mi.
  • The road name changes to CR-1400 N [CR-16]; continue 2.9 mi.
  • The road name changes to CR-16 [CR-750 E]; continue 1.3 miles into Talbott.

In Talbott

  • Go south on CR-16 [CR-750 E] for 5.2 mi.
  • The road name changes to Manito Rd;continue 0.5 mi.
  • Keep straight on CR-13 [N Adams St] briefly.
  • Turn east onto CR-4 [W Market St] briefly.
  • AT CR-4 [E Market St.], keep straight briefly into Manito.

In Manito

  • Return west on CR-4 [E Market St] to CR-4 [W Market St.].
  • Keep straight onto CR-4 [W Market St] briefly to CR-13 [N Adams St.].
  • Turn southwest onto CR-13 [N Adams St] and keep straight onto CR-13 [S Adams St] for 1.6 mi.
  • Bear southwest onto CR-13 [E Manito Rd] for 0.1 mi.
  • Bear south onto CR-13 [CR-4] briefly and then keep straight onto CR-13 [E Manito Rd] for 1.0 mile.
  • Keep straight onto CR-13 [CR-4] for 0.9 miles.
  • Bear southwest onto CR-13 [E Manito Rd] for 0.5 mi and keep straight on CR-13 [CR-4] for an additional 120 yards.
  • Continue straight onto CR-13 [CR-20] for 13.9 mi into Chautauqua Park.

In Chautauqua Park

  • Go west on CR-13 [CR-20] for 1.0 mi.
  • The road name changes to CR-20; continue 0.5 mi.
  • Keep straight onto CR-20 [N Promenade St] [S Promenade St] for 0.3 miles.
  • Turn west onto E Main St. for 0.5 miles.
  • Turn south on S Schrader St. for 0.4 miles into Havana.