Road Tripping from Chantilly, Virginia to O'Fallon, Illinois
Are you looking for an adventurous road trip that covers breathtaking landscapes, famous landmarks and parks, and historic museums? Look no further than a road trip from Chantilly, Virginia to O'Fallon, Illinois. Buckle up and get ready to explore some of the most beautiful places in the United States.
Interesting fact: Did you know that Chantilly, Virginia is home to the largest Ferris wheel on the East Coast, the Capital Wheel? With a height of 180 feet, riders can have a panoramic view of Washington, D.C.
Halfway point: Morehead, KY is an excellent location for a quick stopover while on the road trip. The small town is home to the Kentucky Folk Art Center, where you can enjoy a collection of art made by Kentucky artists, including sculptures, paintings, and furniture.
The trip's length: The roadside journey from Chantilly, Virginia to O'Fallon, Illinois, is approximately 10 hours and 682 miles. We recommend taking two to three days for the trip to enjoy the various destinations fully.
Top 5 places to visit:
- Shenandoah National Park - Nestled within the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park provides stunning scenery amid magnificently rolling hills, waterfalls, and an extensive hiking trail network. The Skyline Drive, which is 105 miles long, allows visitors to drive through dense forests, waterfalls, and many photo opportunities.
Point of Interest: The park is home to more than 190 bird species, including the Peregrine Falcon and the Scarlet Tanager.
- Lincoln Memorial - The Lincoln Memorial attracts millions of tourists every year to commemorate and pay tribute to America's 16th president. The building itself is an architectural marvel with a massive 19-foot-tall statue of Abraham Lincoln seated on a throne-looking chair.
Point of Interest: The stairs in front of the Lincoln Memorial have been used for countless protests and celebrations in history.
- Gateway Arch - The Gateway Arch, located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the iconic landmarks in the United States. A trip to the top of the 630-feet-tall arch can offer a panoramic view extending up to 30 miles.
Point of Interest: The Gateway Arch is made of stainless steel and consists of equilateral triangles, representing the westward expansion of the United States.
- Mammoth Cave National Park - This park is home to the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles of explored passageways. Visitors can tour amazing underground spaces that bear impressive stalactites, stalagmites and a bird's eye view of Green River.
Point of Interest: The caves offer visitors a rare opportunity to see unique cave fauna such as blind cave fish, bats, and crickets.
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site - Cahokia Mounds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has retained and preserved ancient earthworks from the pre-Columbian Mississippian era in Collinsville, Illinois. Visitors can walk along the reconstructed steps of Monk's Mound, the largest pyramid in Cahokia Mounds, and enjoy the panoramic view of the entire site.
Point of Interest: The site is the most extensive and sophisticated ancient civilization north of Mexico and pre-dates European contact.
Conclusion: The road trip from Chantilly, Virginia to O'Fallon, Illinois is loaded with something for every traveler- natural beauty, historic sites, and iconic landmarks. With the total distance of 682 miles, we recommend taking two to three days to enjoy the trip fully. It's an experience you'll always cherish.