Missouri state line to Olmsted
16.1 miles: 0 hours, 18 minutes
Downtown Cairo has seen better days but still has plenty of historical and architectural highlights, including the United States Post Office and Court House building, the brick Cairo Public Library and several churches. While not visible, the Ohio River—which marks the Kentucky and Illinois border—lies just east of SR 37 (Ohio River Scenic Byway).
Olmsted to Brookport
0.0 miles: 0 hours, 0 minutes
This leg showcases expansive stretches of undeveloped land. On the narrow yet scenic CR 2/5, crop fields and open areas dominate the scenery. The route includes the business and residential sections of Metropolis. The leg concludes in Brookport, where you can pull over to read the “Welcome to Illinois” historical marker detailing local history.
Brookport to Golconda
0.0 miles: 0 hours, 0 minutes
The third leg of the Ohio River Scenic Byway comprises more fields and is a bit curvier than the previous portions. In Bay City you’ll get your first expansive view of the impressive Ohio River, and a bit farther on you’ll encounter Bay Creek, a tributary of the river.
Golconda to Cave-In-Rock
0.0 miles: 0 hours, 0 minutes
The Ohio Scenic River Byway continues with SR 146. This leg begins by crossing over Lusk Creek. The rolling farmland is broken up by Elizabethtown’s small downtown streets, where you’ll also get another great glimpse of the Ohio River.
Cave-In-Rock to Indiana state line
0.0 miles: 0 hours, 0 minutes
The final leg includes drives over the Saline and Little Wabash rivers, but the dominant scenery is fields stretching all the way to the horizon and occasional farmhouses and silos. The route ends at the steel arch Wabash Memorial Bridge that carries traffic across the Wabash River and into Indiana.