I've been to Starved Rock plenty of times, and it's real nice. You oughtta go. But I'm as likely to not even stop in the park and just keep riding. I love this route. Figure on 3-4 hours if you don't stop. But you should stop, and then it will take much longer, obviously. Taking 30 west to Dugan from Sugar Grove, turn south at the light, and then bust a quick right as soon as you cross the train tracks. This is Granart. It's pretty much just one gentle curve 'til you cross Galena. Then it becomes Little Rock Road and it's just as sweet. Cross 34, take Griswold Springs Dr over to Fox River Dr. Crack a right on Millhurst, which should be your next right just before the river, and stay on it 'til it ends at a t-intersection. Pay attention to the next part and reference the map carefully. Make a left, and then the first right you can make. Take that to another T, turn left on County Hwy 3. Ride it to County Hwy 2. Make another left. You'll be on this a little while. You'll hit a couple curves and then drop down a long hill. At the bottom, make a left and head into Wedron. Go through town, over the tracks and the river, and up the hill. This will take you out to 71 eventually, and 71 will take you into Ottawa - stay on it. Just across the river and barely off the bridge, 71 hangs a right. Do that, and follow that all the way to Starved Rock. If you've never ridden there, be aware of a couple things. On much of the rest of this route, you may be the only vehicle for a mile in any direction. In downtown Ottawa, traffic can be heavy. In Starved Rock, traffic can be downright hazardous, especially with other bikes, many of them visiting for their first time. There are a small handful of extremely tight, technical curves, some with significant elevation changes and decreasing radius turns, narrow lane width, and wet leaves on the pavement. It can be VERY easy to overcook the first couple curves, and last few as well. Take it real easy through here, and leave yourself an out so that you don't get hit by somebody else overcooking THEIR turn from behind you or in the other lane. Also, the cops love to write speeding tickets in here. I couldn't possibly go into the history of Starved Rock, but suffice it to say there's plenty of history there for the taking. Great visitor center, lots to do and see. If you care to risk the aforementioned leaves, the fall color show is absolutely stellar. After you've had your fill of Starved Rock, leave the park to the west, and turn north on 178. Ease her through Utica. You'll cross I-80 in a few minutes and there's a gas station just before the interstate where you can top off if you have a smaller tank. Otherwise, you're gonna stay on this piece of pavement 'til you get to Mendota. It'll change names and numbers a couple times, but don't let that freak you out. I've included a little bypass to divert you from downtown Mendota, but it's optional. Then it's pretty much 34 for a while. Between Leland and Somonauk, pick up 23 to the north, take that back up to 30, and take 30 back east to Sugar Grove. Pull off at the Aurora Airport, get off the bike and stretch your legs for a few minutes. Watch a few airplanes land.
This is a motorcycle ride in the state of Illinois. This motorcycle route has 6 scenery characteristics and other road conditions to help you plan your road trip. This motorcycle map was created by digitalsasquatch in February. Click here to see other Motorcycle Roads by digitalsasquatch