Follow the Mississippi from modest headwaters to a vast working river, through ten states and centuries of American history.
Why take this road?
The Great River Road is not one road but a signed network of routes following both sides of the Mississippi. It connects landscapes, river commerce, Indigenous history, music, foodways, industrial cities, and small towns.
Signature chapters of the journey
- Lake Itasca and the northern river
- Wisconsin and Iowa bluff country
- Illinois and Missouri river towns
- Middle Mississippi floodplain and confluences
- Memphis and Delta music landscapes
- Natchez, plantation-era history, and Louisiana’s lower river
Roadside memory
Riverboat lore, old levee towns, brick main streets, blues landmarks, vintage motels, supper clubs, and ferry crossings all belong to the route’s roadside character.
RV planning note
Flooding, bridge work, ferry schedules, urban traffic, and levee-road conditions can change routing. Use the Great River Road as a corridor, not a rigid line.
Before departure: verify current closures, construction, wildfire or weather conditions, campground availability, vehicle restrictions, tolls, ferry rules, and attraction hours with the responsible agencies and operators.