Going Down the Great River Road

The beating heart of America lies in its great middle. The pulsing artery of the nation is the Mississippi River and following its path by car provides a unique and unforgettable view of this nation. This is the river that sparked the imagination of one of the USA’s finest authors, Mark Twain. Control of the river was a key factor in determining who won the U.S. Civil War. For much of the nation’s early history, the Mississippi was as important to the USA as the Nile to Egyptians. It stretches from its headwaters in icy Lake Itasca in Northwestern Minnesota and flows more than 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) to the Gulf of Mexico, fed by dozens of tributaries along the way. A trip down the Great River Road, a series of thoroughfares stretching from Minnesota to Louisiana, is an opportunity to experience a wide range of American regional culture and the eclectic diversity of its people. To understand the river is to understand the USA. Plan your next Great River Road trip and explore the USA even more.