A peaceful countryside or coastal drive might be just what you need. Thankfully, Ohio is home to some beautiful byways that give you the opportunity to embrace the beauty of the state via a scenic drive. Here are nine of our favorites. See how many you’ve travelled:
- The Ohio Amish Country Byway (the SR 557/SR 643/SR 93 trip)
Roy Luck/Flickr For a leisurely drive back to a simpler time in life, explore the rolling hills of Ohio’s Amish Country in Holmes County. The picture above was taken near Charm.
- The Ohio River Scenic Byway (the U.S. Hwy 50/U.S. Hwy 52/SR 7/SR 338/SR 124/ U.S. Hwy 7 trip)
Mike/Flickr Travel along the Ohio River and visit several of Ohio’s charming small towns. Pictured is the view of the river from Gallipolis’ Mound Hill Cemetery. Gallipolis is one of the many small towns along the river you will encounter on this drive.
- Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail (the U.S.Hwy 50/SR 531 trip)
Eddie S/Flickr For a weekend trip, visit Lake Erie and the historic lighthouses that dot the shore. Begin east of Cleveland at the Conneaut West Breakwater Lighthouse. To view a map of the complete routes of this coastal drive click here.
- The National Forest Covered Bridge Scenic Byway (the SR 26 from Marietta to Woodsfield trip)
Linda Tanner/Flickr For most of its length, this little known scenic drive parallels the Little Muskingum River. (Pictured is Ohio Hills Bridge.)
- The Covered Bridges Byway (the Ashtabula County covered bridge tour)
Mark K./Flickr Drive through America’s shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. Begin your drive at the Netcher Road bridge near Jefferson and continue to the Smolen-Gulf Bridge (pictured) near the Ashtabula River. To view a map of the complete routes of this drive click here.
- Hocking Hills Scenic Byway (State Route 374)
Jim Crotty/Flickr This 26.4-mile byway along State Route 374 winds its way through the scenic Hocking Hills and Hocking Hills State Forest. The photographer captured a stunning October sunrise on this magical road within the Hocking Hills.
- Miami and Erie Canal Scenic Byway (Route 66)
Wikimedia Commons Following parts of the original route of the Miami and Erie Canal, this 54-mile byway along Route 66 ends in Delphos in Allen County.
- Wally Road Scenic Byway (from Greer to Loudonville)
Dou Kerr/Flickr What was once the “Wally,” (the Toledo, Walhonding Valley and Ohio Railroad) has now ceased operations, but parts of the 45-mile route are featured along what is now the Wally Road Scenic Byway.
- Maumee Valley Scenic Byway (River Road, SR. 110, SR 65, I-75)
Counselman Collection/Flickr At nearly 90 miles, this scenic byway begins in the city of Defiance, passes through the historic towns of Grand Rapids, Perrysburg and Rossford and ends at I-75.
What is your favorite scenic drive or byway to take in Ohio? Share your photos, opinions and experiences with us via our Facebook page!
Roy Luck/Flickr
For a leisurely drive back to a simpler time in life, explore the rolling hills of Ohio’s Amish Country in Holmes County. The picture above was taken near Charm.
Mike/Flickr
Travel along the Ohio River and visit several of Ohio’s charming small towns. Pictured is the view of the river from Gallipolis’ Mound Hill Cemetery. Gallipolis is one of the many small towns along the river you will encounter on this drive.
Eddie S/Flickr
For a weekend trip, visit Lake Erie and the historic lighthouses that dot the shore. Begin east of Cleveland at the Conneaut West Breakwater Lighthouse. To view a map of the complete routes of this coastal drive click here.
Linda Tanner/Flickr
For most of its length, this little known scenic drive parallels the Little Muskingum River. (Pictured is Ohio Hills Bridge.)
Mark K./Flickr
Drive through America’s shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. Begin your drive at the Netcher Road bridge near Jefferson and continue to the Smolen-Gulf Bridge (pictured) near the Ashtabula River. To view a map of the complete routes of this drive click here.
Jim Crotty/Flickr
This 26.4-mile byway along State Route 374 winds its way through the scenic Hocking Hills and Hocking Hills State Forest. The photographer captured a stunning October sunrise on this magical road within the Hocking Hills.
Wikimedia Commons
Following parts of the original route of the Miami and Erie Canal, this 54-mile byway along Route 66 ends in Delphos in Allen County.
Dou Kerr/Flickr
What was once the “Wally,” (the Toledo, Walhonding Valley and Ohio Railroad) has now ceased operations, but parts of the 45-mile route are featured along what is now the Wally Road Scenic Byway.
Counselman Collection/Flickr
At nearly 90 miles, this scenic byway begins in the city of Defiance, passes through the historic towns of Grand Rapids, Perrysburg and Rossford and ends at I-75.
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