This 3,000-mile U.S. Road Trip Follows the Mighty Mississippi Through 10 States

The Great River Road stretches nearly 3,000 miles and follows the Mighty Mississippi through 10 states, from Minnesota to Louisiana. Designated a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road, it’s promoted not just as a scenic drive but as a route that connects travelers with historic river towns, local businesses, and the river-driven culture that formed around commerce and Native American, westward expansion, and Abraham Lincoln-era stories. The U.S. Department of Transportation suggests six to 10 days, though many complete it in segments. The route is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower sections, with planning guidance to use green pilot-wheel signs and avoid cramming too much into one leg.