A 5-day journey from North Carolina through the New River Gorge and the Midwest heartland to Illinois
Estimated cost
$1,374estimated total
Stays
$586
Fuel
$140
Food
$498
Other
$150
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
492 km5h 38mDepart 10:19
Start
Raeford, NC, USA
1
Food
Pioneer Family Restaurant
Archdale, United States
11:59–12:591h here$28
2
Attraction
Mabry Mill
Meadows of Dan, United States
14:39–15:391h here
Iconic operational gristmill along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Park at the main Blue Ridge Parkway lot at Milepost 176. Walk the short loop around the 1908 gristmill and flume to view the working waterwheel demonstration.
Drive 197 km in ~2h 3min via I-77 N from the Blue Ridge Parkway into the Appalachian coal country of southern West Virginia.
197 km2h 3m
3
Attraction
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Beckley, United States
17:42–19:121h 30m here$25
Preserved historic coal mine with underground rail tour
Park in the free visitors lot. Dress warmly for the underground rail car tour through the vintage drift mine, where temperatures stay around fifty-eight degrees.
Drive 5.6 km in ~10 min via WV-16 N and Ragland Road through southern Beckley to the woodland dining estate.
6 km10m
4
Food
The Char
Beckley, United States
19:22–20:521h 30m here$45
Lakeside steakhouse nestled in a wooded mountain glen
Park in the dedicated on-site lot. Reserve an evening table overlooking the wooded pond and order the charbroiled ribeye steak with house salad and garlic toast.
Drive 2.1 km in ~6 min via Harper Road to the hotel complex off Interstate 77.
2 km6m
5
Overnight
Courtyard by Marriott Beckley
Beckley, United States
20:58–08:3010h 30m here$82
Modern comfortable hotel near highway corridors
Park in the secure guest lot out front. Pick up trail maps at reception and confirm your mountain excursion route before resting ahead of the gorge exploration.
Day 2
84 km1h 13mDepart 08:46
Check out after hotel breakfast and drive 38 km in ~29 min via US-19 N from Beckley toward Lansing.
38 km29m
6
Attraction
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Lansing, United States
09:15–10:301h 15m here
National park visitor center with gorge bridge boardwalk
Park in the main paved lot. Check out after hotel breakfast, then walk the wooden boardwalk stairs down to the lower overlook for iconic canyon bridge vistas.
Drive 3.6 km in ~6 min via US-19 S and Lansing-Edmond Road from the visitor center to the trailhead.
4 km6m
7
Activity
Endless Wall Trail
Fayette County, United States
10:36–12:211h 45m here
Scenic cliff-edge hike overlooking the river gorge
Park at the Fern Creek trailhead lot along Lansing-Edmond Road. Hike the shaded clifftop path to Diamond Point for unmatched panoramic views of the river gorge.
Drive 7.3 km in ~9 min via Lansing-Edmond Road and US-19 S across the New River into downtown Fayetteville.
7 km9m
8
Food
Pies & Pints - Fayetteville, WV
Fayetteville, United States
12:45–14:001h 15m here$22
Acclaimed craft pizzeria in a lively gorge town
Park along Court Street or the adjacent public lot. Order the signature grape and gorgonzola pizza paired with a local Appalachian craft beer on tap.
9
Food
Wood Iron Eatery
Fayetteville, United States
18:00–19:301h 30m here$30
Locally sourced seasonal American dining
Park in the gravel lot off South Court Street. Try the smoked trout salad or hand-crafted seasonal burger alongside house-made pastries in the cozy dining room.
◆
Courtyard by Marriott Beckley · Overnight
Day 3
412 km4h 18mDepart 08:33
Check out after hotel breakfast and drive 88 km in ~57 min via I-64 W/I-77 N from Beckley down into Charleston.
88 km57m
10
Attraction
West Virginia Capitol Building
Charleston, United States
09:30–10:451h 15m here
Monumental riverfront capitol with a gilded dome
Park in the metered public lot on Greenbrier Street. Check out after hotel breakfast, then admire the gold-leaf dome designed by architect Cass Gilbert.
Drive 90 km in ~55 min via I-64 W and WV-817 N/US-35 N following the Kanawha River to Point Pleasant.
90 km55m
11
Attraction
Mothman Statue
Point Pleasant, United States
11:40–12:2545m here
Famous polished steel sculpture of local folklore fame
Park along 4th Street near Main. Pose with the metallic folklore landmark, then walk through the riverfront floodwall murals detailing local frontier history.
Drive 1.5 km in ~4min via Main Street and Viand Street through downtown Point Pleasant.
4 km7m
12
Food
Village Pizza Inn
Point Pleasant, United States
12:35–13:351h here$16
Friendly Ohio River tavern serving pizza and subs
Park in the open lot on Viand Street. Grab a table for lunch and order the hot toasted Italian sub or thin-crust specialty pizza served by friendly local staff.
13
Food
Dublin Pub
Dayton, United States
18:30–20:001h 30m here$28
Classic Irish pub in the historic Oregon District
Park in the nearby Wayne Avenue municipal lot. Order the signature Dublin cheese fries followed by classic shepherd's pie amidst lively Celtic music decor.
Drive 1.2 km in ~4min via East 5th Street and North Jefferson Street into downtown Dayton.
1 km4m
14
Overnight
AC Hotel Dayton
Dayton, United States
20:04–08:3010h 15m here$175
Stylish downtown hotel in the entertainment district
Use the attached covered parking garage on East First Street. Settle in for the night and take in skyline views from the modern urban lobby lounge.
Day 4
220 km2h 55mDepart 08:40
Check out after hotel breakfast and drive 79 km in ~50 min via I-70 W across the Ohio-Indiana state line into Richmond.
79 km50m
15
Attraction
Model T Museum
Richmond, United States
09:30–10:451h 15m here$10
Extensive collection of early Ford automobiles
Park along North 3rd Street in the Historic Depot District. Check out after hotel breakfast, then inspect vintage Model T cars, trucks, and period machinery.
Drive 118 km in ~1h 18min via I-70 W from Richmond into downtown Indianapolis.
118 km1h 18m
16
Attraction
White River State Park
Indianapolis, United States
12:03–13:031h here
Downtown urban park and scenic canal promenade
Park in the underground garage on Washington Street. Stroll along the urban canal promenade and cross the scenic pedestrian bridges over the White River.
Drive 3 km in ~10min via West Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue to the cultural district.
2 km8m
17
Food
The Eagle Mass Ave
Indianapolis, United States
13:15–14:301h 15m here$24
Lively tavern celebrated for fried chicken and Southern sides
Park at the Massachusetts Avenue meter bays. Order the spicy fried chicken drizzled with hot honey, served alongside spoonbread and creamy white cheddar grits.
Drive 8.1 km in ~12 min via North Pennsylvania Street and Michigan Road to the museum campus.
8 km12m
18
Attraction
Newfields
Indianapolis, United States
15:00–17:002h here$20
Comprehensive art museum campus with outdoor gardens
Park in the surface lot off Michigan Road. Book general admission online to wander the European art galleries and stroll the sculpture-filled hundred-acre park.
Drive 8.2 km in ~11 min via North Meridian Street back into central Indianapolis.
8 km11m
19
Attraction
Monument Circle
Indianapolis, United States
17:30–18:1545m here
Historic circular civic plaza with landmark limestone tower
Park at the Circle Centre Mall garage. Walk the brick roundabout to view the towering Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the bronze statues at the city center.
Drive 2.5 km in ~8min via South Pennsylvania Street and Virginia Avenue into Fletcher Place.
2 km8m
20
Food
Bluebeard
Indianapolis, United States
18:30–20:001h 30m here$42
Award-winning creative American bistro in Fletcher Place
Park along Virginia Avenue. Reserve ahead to sample inventive farm-to-table shared plates, house-baked breads, and craft cocktails in a historic warehouse.
Drive 3 km in ~10min via College Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue in the Bottleworks District.
3 km8m
21
Overnight
Bottleworks Hotel
Indianapolis, United States
20:15–08:3010h 15m here$256
Boutique luxury hotel inside a restored Coca-Cola facility
Use the hotel valet or adjacent parking garage on Carrollton Avenue. Check in to this converted Art Deco bottling plant on historic Massachusetts Avenue.
Day 5
343 km4h 11mDepart 08:31
Check out after hotel breakfast and drive 105 km in ~1h 14min via I-65 N from Indianapolis to West Lafayette.
105 km1h 14m
22
Attraction
Jules Janick Horticulture Garden, Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States
09:45–11:001h 15m here
Botanical gardens and lush campus arboretum
Park at the Grant Street garage. Check out after hotel breakfast, then stroll the manicured perennial gardens and tree groves on this renowned campus.
Drive 80 km in ~51 min via I-65 N across open farmland to Fair Oaks.
80 km51m
23
Attraction
Fair Oaks Farms
Fair Oaks, United States
12:00–13:001h here$18
Agritourism educational farm complex and dairy facility
Park in the visitor lot near the Dairy Adventure. Purchase an admissions wristband at the counter to tour the robotic milking barns and modern dairy exhibits.
Walk 150 m in ~2min across the farm campus plaza to the timbered restaurant entrance.
100 m1m
24
Food
Farmhouse Restaurant
Fair Oaks, United States
13:05–14:201h 15m here$25
Hearty farm-to-table cuisine in an upscale rustic barn
Park right outside the timber dining hall. Order the house-smoked pulled pork platter or farmhouse burger topped with aged cheddar and garden vegetables.
Drive 80 km in ~1h 4min via IN-14 W and IL-102 W crossing the Illinois state line to the river reserve.
80 km1h 4m
25
Activity
Kankakee River State Park
Bourbonnais, United States
15:24–16:391h 15m here
Limestone river canyon trails and suspension footbridge
Park at the Rock Creek trailhead lot off Route 102. Walk the short limestone canyon trail to the suspension footbridge overlooking the churning river rapids.
78 km1h
Finish
Naperville, IL, USA
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Book Newfields entry tickets online the day prior to ensure guaranteed afternoon garden entry.
- 2Early morning fog is common over the New River Gorge in late September; expect clearest overlook views from mid-morning onwards.
- 3Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy operates traditional daytime cash-preferred diner hours, so stop by before early afternoon.
- 4US-35 through southern Ohio offers smooth divided-highway driving with fewer freight backups than interstate detours.
Good to know
- 1The West Virginia Turnpike (I-77) charges cash or transponder tolls; keep your transponder mounted on the windshield to prevent toll plaza delays.
- 2Interstate 65 north of Indianapolis often experiences heavy commercial freight congestion and seasonal resurfacing lane reductions.
- 3Late September marks increased white-tailed deer activity near roadway shoulders at dawn and dusk through rural Ohio and Indiana.
- 4Illinois toll roads surrounding Chicagoland require electronic transponder payment or online post-pay registration within fourteen days.
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