The Best Driving Road Ever: In Illinois?

"Jonathon Klein" (jonathon-klein)
10/28/2014 at 13:38 • Filed to: Best Driving Road Ever

When imagining the perfect driving road, we've been conditioned to picture winding mountainous roads with sheer cliffs that were carved into the side of the Alps or some other place in Europe. The continent entrances us with their unlimited speed areas and their winding roads that seem to go on forever.

A friend of mine just got back from Stelvio Pass the other week and after a day said he already hated American roads. I myself was taken aback by the roads in Sicily I got to drive last year while on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

While here in the States, cops are everywhere and will either ticket you to death or like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! found out, throw you in the clink for exceeding what has been determined as the correct "speed limit."

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

But what if I told you there was a place inside the US that could rival Stelvio, rival the Transfargarasan, rival anything Europe could throw at it? I'm guessing you'd call bullshit, but just take a look at this.

This is the Galena Territory in Illinois. An area intended by god himself for epic driving enjoyment.

You see, while the rest of Illinois was leveled by the last glacier, somehow that massive chunk of ice missed Galena altogether. This created an area that more resembles the countryside of Europe, than the vast flat corn expanse that is the rest of Illinois.

Galena has all the classic vista's that make up those epic driving roads we're shown by the likes of TopGear and Evo, but without having to buy a plane ticket to check them out.

And it gets better.

Unlike the rest of the country's road system where corners and curves are to be looked down upon, the roads within the territory all perfectly contour to the land. They are full of blind crests, corners without any guardrails, and tree-lined switchbacks that beg to be taken as fast as you dare. Essentially, whoever designed the road system here was a massive fan of motorsports and kept everything as an auto-enthusiast would want.

I spent a total of two days out there exploring the roads, and I only covered about 35% of them. And with an expanse of land that totals something close to 7,000 square acres, but only holds 443 permanent residents, the roads are almost completely deserted. Which allows you the freedom to explore each one of them to your heart's content.

The only thing you need to worry about is a stray cow from time to time.

Everyone is always searching for the perfect driving road, but why does it have to be limited to just one? Stelvio, Majorca, and the Transfargarasan all end at some point. The Galena Territory roads all connect with each other so perfectly that once you're done with the road you're on, you just transition into the next and continue the pure bliss of driving for the sake of driving.

While I still yearn to experience and drive those famous roads, this slice of heaven, only two and half hours outside of Chicago in my opinion can go toe to toe with whatever the rest of the world has to offer.

You can follow me here on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Photo's taken by myself and Patrick Morgan

DISCUSSION (100)

Stupidru > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 13:42

Being up near Milwaukee, I may have to check this out with some buddies next spring

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 13:43

I used to work in the film industry and worked on a few films in that area, and yeah, they have some killer roads in that area and not much of a police presence. I wouldn't try to compare it to what there is in certain parts of New York or Western North Carolina, but it's definitely not what you'd expect to find in a remote corner of Illinois.

Takuro Spirit > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 13:44

Wisconsin wants to play, too.

Last year I drove up to Door County, and there were some wonderful roads in the area.

Kinja'd!!!

This past weekend we stayed closer to home and went driving/hiking in the Kettle Moraine Forest. Some nice roads around there as well.

Kinja'd!!!

itschrome > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 13:48

Eh, that's average by most of new york road standards.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 13:54

Also, NW Arkansas.

JR1 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:03

Hocking Hills Ohio would beg to differ. I think across the country their are hidden roads that rival or surpass things like the Tail of the Dragon it is just a matter of finding them.

desertdog5051 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:09

Having lived near there for a few years, I can agree there are some fun roads to be driven. I also remember all the faux marijuana plants (hemp grown for rope back a long time ago) that grow wild along the roadsides. But, I also agree with Takuro and I would give the overall to 'sconsin for the sheer number of deluxe county roads in that state.

ly2v8-Brian > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:15

I agree with this.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:18

There are tons of amazing roads like this in Alabama, not far outside Birmingham. I miss driving them, therefore, I feel a road trip might soon be in order. Only 2.5 hours from Chicago you say??

Renault R8 Gordini from 1966 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:41

How many miles it?

Sean Bond > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:42

Also, Galena itself (the town) is beautiful, and worth the excuse in and of itself, so this is highly worth it.

VoltRon > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:43

Kinja'd!!!

I see what you did there.

Tohru > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:44

Can't beat the Wisconsin alphabet roads.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > itschrome
10/28/2014 at 14:46

Less traffic, though.

curry86 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:47

The driftless region of Wisconsin (just north of Galena) has been noted as some of the best driving roads area in the country. It was even written up in Road and Track

http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/magaz…

elvisizer > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:48

Definitely more unglaciated areas in wi than Illinois.

nermal > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:48

No.

Driving to WV and picking up Rt 250 thru the national forests is the correct answer.

JB1 > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:49

Are these pictures real? I'm not too far and never knew there were such roads in door county

Vintage1982Benz > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:49

Well well, I may have to check my tires and make a trip down that way.

WiscoProud > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:50

I went to college up the road at UW-Platteville. That corner of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa is simply gorgeous.

Quasistellar > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:50

that whole three-state area is pretty nice. Across the river near Dubuque there's some great roads with the same story: Most of Iowa was leveled by glaciers except for the northeast corner. It's completely different from what people envision when they think of Iowa. I think the Galena area is notable for having the least amount of glaciation in the area, though, if I'm remembering high school geology correctly.

The thing those southern roads have over our midwestern ones is they don't have our crazy fucking winters.

R W > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:51

yeah good thing about wisconsin in the glaciers melted there and left nice little piles of dirt for us to build roads over.

mdensch > JB1
10/28/2014 at 14:54

That's the north end of Wis. 42 just before you get to the ferry docks at Northport. In other words, you take this road to reach Deaths Door.

R W > JB1
10/28/2014 at 14:54

someone must have had some fun designing this road.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:55

That looks like 75% of Tennessee's back roads.

jnecr > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:55

Oh come one... they were just showing off when they made that road in the first picture. "Dodging mailboxes" as my Uncle used to say.

Thor's Hammered > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:55

Another great one in Wisconsin is if you're heading West towards La Crosse, get off 94 and take 82 in Mauston to 33. You'll go through Wildcat Mountain State park which has an amazing little stretch. After that follow 33 all the way to La Crosse. You'll be be blessed with lots of long high speed sweepers through Amish country. Just be careful on 2 wheels, as hitting a patch of horseshit mid corner will not be pretty.

Americanitis1 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:57

Beautiful area/roads!

However, my pick has to be AZ State Route 89A south from Flagstaff, through Oak Creek Canyon/Sedona, on to Cottonwood and Jerome, then through Prescott and ending just north of Wickenburg AZ.

You can kill a whole day and a set of tires, plus see more of the most beautiful and diverse scenery in a 6 hr period than you'll ever see anywhere else in the world.

RelentlessSlacker > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:58

Lovely. This is very reminiscent of California, where the roads scramble up and over hills all over the place on their way to nowhere in particular. Some rancher's property, and that's it.

I lived in Washington state for a few years and the Cascades and Olympics are gorgeous, very alpine-looking, more impressive than the oakey rolling hills of California. But the mountains are too steep for roads. There aren't many fun roads in western Washington state, despite all the beautiful scenery (the eastern half with its glaciated and eroded basalt plains is a different story). So this terrain where you can build roads up and down and swoop through the little ravines and around ridges...that's where shit is so much fun.

For anyone's viewing pleasure, a gallery of my adventures through the central third of California on some of my favorite roads: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/114…

Here's the most amazing few miles of road ever, Highway 229 south of Creston, CA. Race track smooth pavement, one lane, swoops up and down through the rolling hills and down a ravine. The cambers are amazing, like a rollercoaster.

Kinja'd!!!

Anthony M. > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:58

So strange that you are writing about this at about the same time I was planning a trip there with our local car club. I went there for the first time at the very end of September with the last 80 degree weekend. The roads there took my breath away. It makes every other driving road in Illinois (not many) put to shame. I was surprised how high the speed limit was. It can get pretty hairy in certain blind corners and hills. I took Blackjack Road and Stagecoach trail all around Galena. Wonderful fun and scenic ride! I only had to pass one car the whole way. Otherwise it was empty and open. I highly recommend it!

mdensch > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 14:59

Just went on what was probably the last car club drive of the season on Sunday, rural two-lane roads in Sauk, Iowa, and western Dane counties in Wisconsin. Those roads are at least as much fun as any in Illinois. Also, Wis. 67 north from the Illinois state line, especially through the Kettle Moraine state forest. Also, any of the roads in the western part of the state along the Mississippi.

G8-Volt > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 14:59

I grew up in southwestern Wisconsin (north of Galena, IL) and there were some great roads up there with lots of curves and lots of hills I still go up there to visit family each year, but unfortunately don't get to drive them much. I terrified my wife on county MM outside of La Crosse since it's a narrow, steep, curvy road going up a bluff with a guard rail and a drop off. I also made her car sick on another road up there in my G8. Now we have a kid so spirited driving doesn't go over too well.

Southwestern Wisconsin is great too. It's basically the same terrain as the Galena area. The "alphabet" roads are usually all good.

itschrome > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:01

Yeah probably not. Upstate is nothing like down state.

thejustache > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:02

Depends on where in new york and what season.... I can think up plenty of roads between Albany and Lake Placid that will rival the ones pictured here and are largely empty for good sections of the year

Bring Back Pontiac > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:02

Went to college in Southwest Wisconsin and made my way up and down the Mississippi and there are a lot of fun roads into Iowa and Illinois. On nice days I would get done with class, hop in the car and hit the back roads for a couple hours enjoying the hills and valleys and twisty roads built around them. It's a beautiful area to drive, the only problem is once you get 10-15 miles from the river everything turns into flat-ish farmland, except for Wisconsin where it stays hilly up to Madison. The River road from Dubuque, IA to the Quad Cities is really nice. Hwy 20 from Dubuque to Galena, IL is nice too, but you have to look out for the people who live in the median of the highway. Also the drive from Platteville, WI up to Prairie du Chien, WI is nice too.

Exploring the roads in Western North Carolina/Eastern Tennessee are on my list now that I live down here (Dragon's Tail, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.).

AdverseMartyr > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:03

Just watch out for the car swallowing pot holes following the winter salting when you head out for that spring drive.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > thejustache
10/28/2014 at 15:05

I said New York, not Canada.

Bring Back Pontiac > WiscoProud
10/28/2014 at 15:07

I too went to UW-Platteville, small world.

thejustache > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:08

Hey now! You're never going to find dirt to go sideways on down there, they paved over it all already....

bustedknee > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:09

Visit that area regularly. Great driving, but even better cycling. Where else can you hit 50+ mph with confidence on a bike in the midwest?

Chawee > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:10

Is there someone, ANYONE, who can find a driving road ANYWHERE in Florida? I'm dying here man, dying.

heeltoehero > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:10

Not up here in the suburbs.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > thejustache
10/28/2014 at 15:10

There's actually one about two hours north of the city. The other one in New York is so far north that even you will admit it's Canada. It's in Harrisville.

Takuro Spirit > JB1
10/28/2014 at 15:11

Yes, the top pic is from right near the the ferry terminal.

Google Maps

Kerberos824 > itschrome
10/28/2014 at 15:13

There are some incredible driving roads "upstate." Two hours north of the city where I grew up are a few of them. I will take their location to my grave though. Already they're twice as crowded as they were when I was 16. Which is still not very crowded...

Takuro Spirit > Thor's Hammered
10/28/2014 at 15:13

I know too well.... My wife's cousin lives in LaCrosse, and we've been invited out recently... I told her we're taking the "back roads".

qqwweerrttyy > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:14

I don't know whether to deny that this is in Illinois, be excited that it is actually my state, or upset that it is 3+ hours away.

Southwestern Wisconsin is pretty nice, as well, and probably rivals what you've shown in the video by a good margin. Oh, and it's closer to my area.

thejustache > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:14

Ha, that's basically in the Arctic Circle!

qqwweerrttyy > itschrome
10/28/2014 at 15:15

There is a special place in my hate chamber for New Yorkers visiting the nice finger lakes area wine country and blocking all the good roads. from us people who know how to drive them.

472CID > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:17

I like the enthusiasm, but this looks like every other back road in non-flat America.

GoPadge > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:19

And here I thought all the best roads in Illinois said, "Welcome to Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky or Indiana"...

Shawn Wayne > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:20

Any of the Kettle Moraine scenic routes are wonderful. I regularly drive through the Kettle Moraine southern unit to go hiking, and I try to beat my time through these roads each time I drive through :)

scienceroller > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:20

I can vouch for the Door County roads. Went up there in 2008 with my C55, and driving on those twisties was a blast….. I still remember.

Dest > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:20

West Virginia.

farmwalker > JB1
10/28/2014 at 15:20

That picture is always used to show "Great Motorcycling in Door County!", but that is half a mile at the tip of the peninsula. There are a couple of other interesting bits, but it is largely square grid roads on the entire county.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:21

As someone who moved from the winding canyon roads of Arizona to the flat dullness of Illinois and THEN bought an FR-S, this both excited an infuriates me.

It's awesome to know that there is actually somewhere worth driving in this state! However, why didn't anyone tell me about this over the last 10 months?!?! FIBs...

Our local Toyobaru club did a cruise up to Kettle Moraine and some of the country roads in Wisconsin, which actually proved to be quite a bit of fun, but it's good to know that there are some other options around too!

I just wish it wasn't so close to winter so that I could actually plan a trip to go driving in Galena.

Will work for gas > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:21

If anyone is ever adventurous enough to come down to southern Illinois (little egypt) most roads are like this.

literacola > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:23

I live in rockford IL and make the trip up to galena every few months. While the road is nice, most trips are severely dampened by people on Harleys that can hardly manage to do the speed limit. Since they're so windy, you usually have to wait a bit to pass safely. When they're open though, it's plenty of fun in my z06. Trying to get a trip up there before the color change ends. I'll slap a go pro on the car and share it with you jalop a if I can make it.

Shawn Wayne > Tohru
10/28/2014 at 15:23

Highway S FTW! https://www.google.com/maps/place/43%…

thejustache > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:24

Just to clarify - by Harrisville I'm guessing you mean the Black River Stages Rally, right? If so, what's the other gravel rally 2 hours north of the city? Because that would probably not be all that far from me and I'm not sure I know of that one

aebome > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
10/28/2014 at 15:25

Are there really decent roads without tons of traffic near Bham that are like this? Any particular roads/areas you can remember, because after being there a couple of years, I still haven't found anything that I'd go back to.

ME 4-12 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:25

That looked like nothing compared to central Missouri which I would say is nothing compared to N. Carolina/Tennessee Smoky Mountains area.

Shawn Wayne > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:25

Living in WI I can say there are a lot of rural roads that are a lot of fun to drive, you just need to know where to find them since most of the country roads are long and straight around me. I can say that I think NC has better driving roads in more areas. Really anywhere in that area between WV, TN, and NC. Also driving through Idaho and Washington through the mountains is bliss. I've driven across this entire country a couple of times.

Jay_Hoff > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:25

I just drove the roads out there in this.

Kinja'd!!!

Big Block I-4 > nermal
10/28/2014 at 15:26

Yep, WV and southern VA are pretty awesome as far as roads go. Great mountains and twisty road paired with not a lot of traffic is a recipe for success.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > thejustache
10/28/2014 at 15:29

Empire State Performance Rally. I think that that one's primarily or all tarmac though. There's a good Google map with almost all of the 2014 North American rally events.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid…

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > aebome
10/28/2014 at 15:29

When I say not far outside B'ham I mean probably and hour or more away from the metro area. Or drive through Mountain Brook, not as long and majestic but still windy and fun. I was a runner for a law firm in '09 and had to go to all kinds of odd places with these great roads, luckily I had a 350Z to make it even more fun. Some of them are in/around Shelby County. Some on the way to Huntsville I believe.

silversurfer > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:31

Southeastern Indiana is like this too. While the north and central parts of the state can be billiard table smooth, the southern part of the state along the Ohio River contains some nice roads (State Road 62 to be specific).

Takuro Spirit > Shawn Wayne
10/28/2014 at 15:31

I used to go up north a lot in WI, highway 55 though the Menomonee Indian Reservation was always a favorite of mine to blast through.

stiggalicous > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:31

Utah State Route 12 + 24 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park. Blows pretty much everything that California and Colorado have to offer (which is a LOT). On the 3-hour drive, I passed a total of 3 cars the entire way. Went from the top of amphitheaters to the bottom, climbing up to the top of more canyons, descending up and down Aspen-covered mountain ranges, and then descending back down into more canyons. Beautifully paved 2-lane-with-shoulder roads, excellent visibility, no cops/traffic, and an amazing mix of curves and straights.

Kinja'd!!!

J "oppo" Zeke > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
10/28/2014 at 15:33

Try not knowing about this for the past SIX YEARS.

Plus I sold two Miatas in frustration of not having anywhere to enjoy them, and then THIS.

SearsHuskyJeans > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:33

As a once a year visitor to Galena, I can say that the highway from Chicago to about 25 miles to Galena is pure hell - but when you are 25 miles in, you see some fantastic panoramic views and tons o twisties.

Andrew T. Maness > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:34

wow. just...wow.

Sian > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:35

Make sure your windshield wash reservoir is full of the good stuff, because SO MANY BUGS.

—former Illinois resident

thejustache > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:35

Ok, awesome... I haven't attended that one but I was pretty sure it was tarmac. I went to STPR and Mt. Washington last year, I'll have to check out some others this year. Do you race yourself?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:35

That is the best road I've ever seen within decent distance of Michigan.

All I can say, is ROAD TRIP!!!

Derpwagon > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:35

I think what we can learn from this article and the responses is that America is full of amazing roads. People just seem to be too focused on the boring stretches of Interstate Whateverthefuck, or downtown rush hour to realize it.

Takuro Spirit > Shawn Wayne
10/28/2014 at 15:36

I'm always looking for nice roads near home, and unfortunately none are on my direct route from work to home. I have to drive 20 minutes to the north, or out to the west toward Holy Hill to enjoy some roads.

Clive SNTRL > itschrome
10/28/2014 at 15:36

I totally agree. Near Poughkeepsie there are some of the most fun road i have been on. Including the Taconic State Parkway. But for IL those roads are above and beyond anything in the area.

J "oppo" Zeke > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:37

Six years of miserable driving in Illinois and finally, FINALLY there's salvation! Too bad the Miatas are gone and the convertible is a lardy+slow old 328i but salvation is at hand!

Also at hand, a new sports car to replace the Bimmer. Thanks Jonathon!

I had been out to this area on the way to Dubuque once for work but hadn't thought much of it, expecting a grid of straight roads criss-crossing the hills, as one would expect in IL.

Rock517 > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:38

Awesome pics!

GreenN_Gold > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:39

Referencing the top picture, I would just drive straight.

SouthboundPachyderm > RelentlessSlacker
10/28/2014 at 15:39

There are all SORTS of great roads in western Washington. The trick is to get on them early so you have them to yourself. Rte 20 through North Cascades is awesome. Get there early when there aren't any other cars on the road and carve on through to your hearts content. Rte 112 along the peninsula is great. The Little Wenatchee River Road outside Leavenworth. Not to mention all the forest service roads if you want to engage in a bit of rally-esque dirt driving on your way to the trailhead.

Takuro Spirit > GreenN_Gold
10/28/2014 at 15:40

Good luck on a holiday weekend with ferry traffic.

bwwooster > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:40

Are you sure, chaps, that publicizing great roads is such a terrific idea? Look what's happened to the Tail of the Dragon, etc. over the years.

Takuro Spirit > Rock517
10/28/2014 at 15:40

Thanks, Google!

heltoupee > Takuro Spirit
10/28/2014 at 15:42

Been on that road many times. The top one is the road that takes you to the ferry dock for the ferry to Washington Island. It's like they forgot the grader when they built the road and just said "eff it, just lay the asphalt!"

Voice of C. Montgomery Burns > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:42

Sorry guy, best driving roads in USA are in southwestern PA.

Takuro Spirit > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:42

Almost forgot, the area near Holy Hill in WI has some nice roads as well. Shot this earlier this year on my dash cam:

RedPir8Roberts > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:42

Kinja'd!!!

Beware the cow-ghost!!! Also, blind corners / crests are not a good thing when driving in a spirited manner on a public road. Even if you know all 443 people are in church / milking ghost cows, you never know if a deer or random outsider / motorist / cyclist / dog is just around the bend / hidden in the hollow.

RelentlessSlacker > SouthboundPachyderm
10/28/2014 at 15:43

I certainly found some, but compared to the bay area when I literally have days worth of driving loops in all directions of the compass within 60 minutes start of my suburban home, you'd drive hours in Washington to get some road that goes for a few miles. Often people would tell me "oh you gotta drive such-and-such" and I would and it's like, dude, this doesn't qualify as a fun driving road in California. It qualifies as the road you take to the fun driving road in California. It's not on the same level at all.

My personal favorite was Route 7 in the canyon downstream of Alder Lake.

MOOSE1111 > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:44

the problem is you are then in Illinois. you would be better off going to Wisconsin or Tennessee. better roads better drivers better all around states. cant with to get away from Illinois.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > thejustache
10/28/2014 at 15:44

No, not yet, but I'm trying to get into it. I've done plenty of track days and autocross events, but no actual wheel to wheel stuff yet. I picked up an old AW11 MR2 a few months ago that I've been trying to prep for some AER or IT events, but there aren't any rallies near me. I'd love to do some rally stages in it. I'm sure that it would be a blast if I change springs to get some more ride height.

Wotsac > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
10/28/2014 at 15:45

I'd suggest a run down to Starved Rock on a day when the weather is too crappy for there to be too many hikers. It's only about 10 miles of road, but it's an entertaining 10 miles.

JR1 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/28/2014 at 15:45

Come to Hocking Hills in Ohio roads are probably closer and Car and Driver uses them for testing all the time

RX > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:47

That area extends north into Wisconsin and gets even better. Also while in Wisconsin, buy up their good beer and take it back to Illinois.

BrianMadigan > 472CID
10/28/2014 at 15:49

True. Most of us city folk only ever see corners at intersections, which normally include stop signs or traffic lights. It's a sad existence for people who love to drive.

Jumbojeepman > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:50

I was driving from WV to Cleveland in my 325i Convertible and saw a sign on the interstate saying Big Muskie, 20 some miles. I was like, hey when will I ever be here again, I'd like to see Big Muskie. Well the road that lead there was quite interesting, nothing like NC roads at all. Rolling hills, blind corners over said hills, at every crest you really didn't know what was coming up head. It was quite the pleasurable drive, and all on the spur of the moment.

Kinja'd!!!

GreenN_Gold > Jonathon Klein
10/28/2014 at 15:51

I live on this road. OK, so it's technically like 30 or 40 minutes before you start hitting the elevation and the scenic stuff like this, but still....just hang a right at the end of the driveway and keep going until you're bored and want to turn back home.

Kinja'd!!!

thejustache > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/28/2014 at 15:51

Well I'll definitely keep an eye out for an MR2 popping up at some rallies in the future.... I've always thought that would look awesome, mostly because of that beastly group s car Toyota built!