U.S. Route 50 is widely known as “The Loneliest Road in America,” stretching a length of over 3,000 miles east to west from Ocean City, Maryland, to West Sacramento, California. This transcontinental highway runs through the southern portion of Illinois for 165 miles of flat farmland and small towns. For those times you truly want to get away from it all, take a drive along this lonely, desolate highway.
The loneliest road in the country winds its way through a 165-mile stretch of acre after acre of flat farmland and rural landscape in Southern Illinois.
Google Maps
Coming from Indiana, the Illinois portion of U.S. Route 50 starts at the Red Skelton Memorial Bridge over the Wabash River and ends at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge heading into Missouri over the Mississippi River.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
You’ll travel along stretches of road with not much to see except for the occasional barn. Aside from that, there’s farmland as far as your eyes can see.
formulanone/Flickr
Every so often along this route, you may encounter a small town. However, most of these towns probably aren’t worth stopping at until you get to Olney.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Famous for its unusual population of white squirrels, Olney is home to a approximately 8,000 residents and some lovely parks and natural attractions.
Corey Seeman/Flickr This is a wonderful stop along the road if you’re looking for a bite to eat (perhaps at Hovey’s Diner) and to stretch your legs.
U.S. Route 50 bisects the town of Salem which is located about an hour away from Olney. While it’s not as picturesque, Salem offers a museum as well as several parks and restaurants.
Paul Sableman/Wikimedia Commons
About 30 miles from St. Louis is Lebanon, Illinois. With its variety of historic architecture like Greek Revival, Georgian, and Southern Colonial, as well as a thriving downtown, exploring Lebanon is a must.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
While there are a few places to make pit stops, you’ll spend most of the time surrounded by flat, rural landscape while driving along “The Loneliest Road in America” through Illinois. But what a perfect way to get away from it all!
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Google Maps
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
formulanone/Flickr
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Corey Seeman/Flickr
This is a wonderful stop along the road if you’re looking for a bite to eat (perhaps at Hovey’s Diner) and to stretch your legs.
Paul Sableman/Wikimedia Commons
Paul Sableman/Flickr
Have you ever taken a drive along “The Loneliest Road in America” through Illinois? If so, we want to hear from you! Let us know about your experience in the comments.
If you love scenic drives through Illinois, here are 11 beautiful country roads to check out.
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Address: U.S. 50, US-50, Salem, IL, USA
