How to plan a (road) trip along the Mississippi River where the water isn`t the only star

See this vital waterway from the Great River Road

The Mississippi River is a mighty waterway. It carries hundreds of millions of tons of freight every year, is home to a diverse population of fish, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, functions as a guide for migratory birds, and provides drinking water to loads of people. While you can cruise down the river itself, imagine a more land-centric approach by driving across stretches of the Great River Road.

How does the Great River Road work?

Officially called the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, this series of state and local highways and roads follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles, through 10 states. If you drove the entire route without stopping, starting in northern Minnesota and ending in southern Louisiana, it would take 36 hours. This is not recommended, as you would "miss all its beauty," Travel and Leisure said. Instead, give yourself at least a week.

What to expect along the way...

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Ken Notes: Great Read....