Kickapoo State Park, IL, July 2024
The total drive is about 157 miles.
Note: This could be updated to take IN-3 North to IN-67 West to I-69 to avoid some small towns and rough train tracks. US-36 will likely be reopened by our next visit.
Driving Directions
- (0.0 miles) Head towards park exit
- (1.4 miles) Right on N Messick Rd and exit the park
- (2.7 miles) Right onto US-36 West. There are 3 towns with restricted speed limits and 3 not-so-good railroad tracks. Watch your speed.
- (21.3 miles) Right on IN-109 North (Grain Storage Company at corner). The road and railroad track is good. The second bridge is rough.
- (25.0 miles) Left onto I-69 South towards Indianapolis. Center lane is in best condition. Bridges near mile 211 (Mud Creek) and 207 (Sand Creek) are not great.
- (50.8 miles) Take I-465 West. Watch signs for correct lane. A lot of road construction but manageable.
- (71.5 miles) Take exit 16 A-B, on right, to I-74 West towards Peoria. Better condition than I-70, but still bad at overpasses and bridges.
- (155.0 miles) Take exit 210, on right, to US-150 North towards Danville
- (155.0 miles) Right onto US-150 North, immediately get to left lane
- (156.0 miles) Left onto County Road 1300 E / Hemming Road at Little Nugget.
- (157.0 miles) Left onto 1950 N / Kickapoo Park Road just past Hillery Assembly of God Church
- (160.0 miles) Right at T intersection onto Kickapoo Park Road
- (160.0 miles) Left on Camp road into the campground
Rest Stops
- 24.5 miles, Meijers Grocery Store in Anderson
- 37.6 miles, Exit 214, Loves Travel Stop (McDonalds)
- 80.1 miles, Exit 66, Walmart (Not great)
- 84.5 miles, Exit 61, Loves Travel Stop (few pull-thru)
- 89.3 miles, Rest Stop on I-69
- 105 miles, Exit 39, Pilot Travel Center (few pull-thru)
- 140.0 miles, Exit 4, One9 Fuel Stop (Arbys)
General Notes
- Indiana I-70 and the road through New Castle to I-70 are in HORRIBLE condition. We went an alternative routes even though it would mean more time on state highways to avoid I-70.
- I-465 is the bypass for Indianapolis. It has been under major repairs and in the southern part of Indianapolis. In some cases, only 1 lane open. We only drove part of the northern I-465 area. The area we drove also had major work going on. The ramps no longer align with GPS system and Google maps. Make sure to watch the road signs. We still feel this route was better than spending more time on I-465 and I-70.
- Kickapoo State Park (also known as Kickapoo State Recreation Area) does not have a semi route and has bridges with unknown weight limit. The park recommended the route below. There are no bridges, 1 railroad track and limited issues with low hanging trees. (note: our trailer is 13 1/2 feet tall.)