Indiana often gets labeled as flat farmland, but the southern and central parts of the state tell a different story. Between the wooded hills, winding rivers, and small towns full of character, there are drives here that make you want to slow down and roll the windows down.
Some follow the Ohio River, others cut through state forests and covered bridge country. Whether you have a couple of hours or a full afternoon, these routes give you scenery, history, and easy stops along the way.
Grab a map, pack a snack, and pick a direction. Here are seven Indiana scenic drives worth the gas and the whole afternoon.
1. Ohio River Scenic Byway, Southern Indiana
Stretching more than 300 miles along Indiana’s southern edge, this byway hugs the Ohio River from the Illinois border all the way to Ohio. You do not have to drive the whole thing to enjoy it.
The route rolls past river towns like Madison, Leavenworth, and Cannelton, with overlooks that open up over the water. The stretch near Leavenworth gives you one of the widest river views in the state.
History runs deep here too. Small museums, old riverfront buildings, and historic downtowns give you plenty of reasons to park and walk around.
I like this drive because you can break it into pieces. Pick a 30 mile section, stop for lunch in a river town, and turn back whenever you want.
Fall is especially good when the bluffs turn color, but the water views hold up year round.
2. Brown County State Park Loop, Nashville, Indiana
Nicknamed the Little Smokies, the hills around Brown County put on the best fall color show in Indiana. The park sits just outside the artsy town of Nashville.
Inside the park, the ridge roads climb and dip past several scenic overlooks. The vistas near the north gate look out over layered hills that seem to stretch for miles.
Brown County State Park is the largest state park in Indiana, covering nearly 16,000 acres. A vehicle entrance fee applies, and the roads inside are made for slow, winding driving.
After the loop, the town of Nashville is loaded with art galleries, craft shops, and small cafes. I would save this one for October, when the color peaks and the whole area feels alive with visitors making the same trip.
3. Historic National Road, Central Indiana
Before interstates existed, the National Road was America’s main street across the middle of the country. In Indiana it runs as U.S. 40, straight through the heart of the state.
The route passes through historic towns like Cambridge City, Centerville, and Richmond, where old brick storefronts and antique shops line the way. Centerville is known for its cluster of antique malls.
West of Indianapolis, the road rolls past open farmland and small county seats with courthouse squares worth a walk.
What makes this drive different is the history layered along it. You are following one of the oldest major roads in the nation.
I like it for antique hunters and anyone who enjoys stopping at little museums and roadside markers that explain what happened here long ago.
4. Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway, Metamora, Indiana
Water and history come together in Metamora, a restored canal town along the Whitewater Canal. The byway follows the old canal route through Franklin County.
Metamora itself is the star. The town keeps a working gristmill and the only wooden covered aqueduct still standing in the country, which carries the canal over Duck Creek.
The drive winds through rolling farmland and along the river valley, with small shops and historic buildings clustered in the village.
Hours for the shops and mill can be seasonal, so it helps to check before you go. I would pair this drive with a weekend when the town has events going, since the whole place leans into its canal era history and makes for an easy afternoon of walking and driving combined.
5. Parke County Covered Bridge Route, Rockville, Indiana
Parke County calls itself the Covered Bridge Capital of the World, and it earns the title with more than 30 historic covered bridges scattered across the countryside.
Rockville serves as the hub. Marked driving routes guide you from bridge to bridge along country roads that cross creeks and roll through wooded farmland.
Each October the county hosts its famous Covered Bridge Festival, one of the largest festivals in Indiana, drawing huge crowds for food and crafts.
The bridges are free to see and photograph any time of year. I like this route because it turns a drive into a treasure hunt.
You follow the colored maps, spot the next bridge, and cover a lot of pretty back roads in the process.
6. Hoosier National Forest Drive, South-Central Indiana
For deep woods and quiet roads, the routes through Hoosier National Forest deliver some of the most remote scenery in the state. The forest spreads across roughly 200,000 acres in south-central Indiana.
Drives through the area weave past hardwood forest, ridge tops, and access points to lakes and trails. The Hardin Ridge area near Lake Monroe is a popular stop.
Wildlife is common here, and the tree canopy makes the drive feel far from anywhere even when towns are close.
Because it is a national forest, most driving and sightseeing is free, though some recreation areas charge fees. I would pick this drive when I want to trade town stops for forest quiet, then finish near Lake Monroe, the largest lake entirely inside Indiana.
7. Indiana Wabash River Route, West-Central Indiana
The Wabash is Indiana’s state river, and it winds across the western half of the state past historic towns and wide valley views. Routes along and across it make for a relaxed afternoon.
Lafayette and West Lafayette sit along the river, offering riverfront parks and easy access to the water. Farther south, the river valley opens into rolling farmland and small communities.
The Tippecanoe Battlefield near Lafayette gives history buffs a reason to stop and learn about one of the most significant sites in early Indiana history.
What sets this drive apart is the river itself, the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. I like ending near a riverfront park, where you can stretch your legs and watch the water roll by before heading home.
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