This segment stretches through the Ozarks and Midwest Heartland, roughly 1,150 miles, from Alexander, Kansas, to Berea, Kentucky. This long drive threads through wide Kansas plains and the hilly Ozark plateau of southern Missouri and Illinois before rising into Kentucky’s Bluegrass foothills. Along the way, you’ll cross four states (KS, MO, IL, KY) and diverse landscapes – from Kansas wheat fields to Missouri’s pine-covered ridges and Illinois’ towering sandstone bluffs. The route ends at Berea, a gateway to Appalachia known for its craft heritage. For context on the entire TransAmerica Trail, see the complete TransAmerica Trail overview or the full TransAmerica Trail itinerary for long-distance planning. Overall, this segment offers a mix of plains and hills, ample state parks and historic towns, and plenty of country driving with sparse services in spots.
Segment Overview
This segment covers ~1,148 miles and roughly 18–20 hours of driving (not counting stops). You’ll pass through far-flung Kansas farmland into Missouri’s rugged Mark Twain National Forest, then into Illinois’s Shawnee Hills. Key highlights include Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in the St. Francois Mountains (Missouri) and Giant City State Park in southern Illinois. Weather can be hot and humid in summer, and spring brings storms, so check forecasts. Roads vary from two-lane highways to gravel spurs, so expect winding, hilly drives especially in the Ozarks. Cell service is often spotty in remote areas (many parts of the Shawnee National Forest and Ozarks have little coverage). Be prepared with offline maps, extra water, and gas, especially where we highlight fuel gaps below.
Quick Stats
| Distance | ~1,150 miles (Alexander, KS to Berea, KY) |
| Drive Time | ~18–20 hours (normal driving) |
| States | Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky |
| Fuel/Gas Gaps | Long stretches in KS with no services (e.g. 52 mi Great Bend–Nickerson, 73 mi Newton–Eureka, 60 mi Eureka–Chanute). Plan fuel stops carefully in Kansas and rural Missouri. |
| Cell Service | Limited in many rural areas. Shawnee NF and Ozark backroads have spotty or no coverage. Larger towns provide service. |
Day-by-Day Suggestions
Day 1: Kansas Heartland. Start in western Kansas at Alexander (a former rail town with sandstone buildings). Drive east through rolling prairie to Hutchinson (Salt Museum) or Lindsborg (Swedish heritage town). Continue to the southeast corner of the state, overnight in Pittsburg or Girard, KS. (Girard’s Elmwood Hotel and Kansas Crossing Casino are options.)
Day 2: Missouri Ozarks. Enter Missouri via the scenic Mark Twain National Forest. Stop for the afternoon at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Campground (wild rocky pools for swimming). Hike the Shut-Ins Trail for river views. Camp overnight at Johnson’s or nearby Farmington. (Alternatively, stay at a private site: Hawn State Park campground offers hiking in a pine forest setting.)
Day 3: Southern Illinois. Cross into Illinois via U.S. 67 and IL-34. Visit Giant City State Park near Carbondale in the afternoon. Hike trails among the huge sandstone “streets” and enjoy forests at Giant City State Park Campground. Stay in the park or in nearby Carbondale. You might also detour to nearby Cave-in-Rock State Park on the Ohio River (accessible via ferry) for a riverside cave experience.
Day 4: Into Kentucky. Take IL 1 south to the Ohio River ferry at Cave-in-Rock into Kentucky. In Western Kentucky, you can choose a loop to Mammoth Cave National Park (nearly 200,000 acres of cave and forest). Visit Mammoth Cave tours or explore the Green River. Stay overnight near Cave City or Bowling Green, KY. On the final stretch, drive northeast through rolling country to arrive in Berea by evening. (Berea is known for crafts and Berea College.)
Campgrounds to Consider
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Campground (Missouri) – MO state park campground with tent, RV, and cabin sites. Clean restrooms/showers and a camp store. Camp next to the “shut-ins” river rapids and trails (Scour Trail).
Giant City State Park Campground (Illinois) – IL state park with tent, RV, and cabin sites. Electric hookups, water, and good bathrooms/showers. Huge sandstone bluffs and forests; hike Giant City Nature Trail through “Giant City Streets.”
Hawn State Park Campground (Missouri) – Offers tent and RV sites, some with electric. Known for great hiking trails under pines. Vault toilets, no hookups. Rustic setting in rolling woods.
Redbud Campground (Bell Smith Springs) – Developed campground in Shawnee National Forest, IL. Rustic sites (no hookups), quiet and scenic. Trails begin at campground into clear streams and sandstone canyons (Bell Smith Springs).
Shawnee Forest Campground (Vienna, Illinois) – Private campground near Giant City with full hookups. Clean bathrooms/showers and friendly staff. Trails around a lake for biking/hiking. A convenient modern option for the Shawnee Hills.
Fort Massac State Park Campground (Illinois) – State park on the Ohio River at Metropolis. Large tent/RV sites, new bathhouse. Historic site (French/Indian War fort) and river access. Picnic tables and fire rings at sites.
Paducah – Kentucky Lake KOA (Calvert City, KY) – Full-service private campground on I-24. Tents, RVs, cabins, even yurts. Nice pool and clean facilities. Close to Kentucky Lake and the Shawnee Bay hunting area, with easy interstate access.
Top Activities & Attractions
Hiking & Nature: Missouri’s Johnson’s Shut-Ins and Hawn State Parks offer forested trails and unique rock formations. In Illinois, the Shawnee National Forest (289,000 acres) has lush canyons and sheer sandstone bluffs – don’t miss Giant City SP’s Giant City Nature Trail or the Garden of the Gods overlook (west of Carbondale). Southern Illinois also has easy loop trails at places like Bell Smith Springs (Redbud CG). Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave NP is one of the world’s longest cave systems (underground tours), and the park’s surface trails and river canoeing add to the adventure.
Water Recreation: Cool off in Johnson’s Shut-Ins river pools. Fish or boat on Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake. At the Ohio River crossing, Cave-in-Rock State Park has a riverside cave. (The Cave-in-Rock ferry across the Ohio is seasonal; check IL DNR for hours.)
History & Culture: Visit small-town Americana: Girard, KS (with coal mining history), and historic Fort Massac State Park on the Ohio River (recreated French fort). In Kentucky, Berea College showcases Appalachian folk crafts and music. The Berkani Distillery (Brewery) in Lawrenceburg KY is in a later segment, but this area has local corn whiskey tradition. Route 66 lovers can detour to Illinois sites further north. Throughout, expect old barns, farm stands, and local diners serving Midwest comfort food.
Travel Tips for This Segment
Fill up early and often: some stretches in Kansas and the Ozarks have no gas for 50–70 miles. Carry water and snacks for these long gaps. In the hills, be cautious: roads are narrow and winding, with few shoulders. Watch for wildlife (deer, stray dogs in rural KY). The Cave-in-Rock ferry on IL-1 requires a small fee and only runs late spring–fall (phone 618-289-4599 for schedule). Plan ahead for cell data: service is unreliable in many forested areas. Check weather and river levels before hiking, as flash floods can swell creeks quickly. Finally, summer storms can bring heavy rain or tornados in the Midwest – carry layered clothing and keep an eye on forecasts.
Additional Segments & Resources
Beyond Berea, the TransAmerica Trail continues east through Kentucky’s Appalachian Highlands. In Kentucky, you’ll climb into steeper, forested country en route to Lexington. For more details on upcoming sections, see Adventure Cycling’s full TransAm coverage or local state DOT websites for road updates. A good next stop eastbound is Section 11 (Berea, KY to Christiansburg, VA). For planning, the Kentucky Department of Travel and Illinois DNR sites offer park info, and the National Park Service has Mammoth Cave maps.
The Dyrt is the only camping app with all of the public and private campgrounds, RV parks, and free camping locations in the United States. Download now for iOS and Android.Popular Articles:
Articles on The Dyrt Magazine may contain links to affiliate websites. The Dyrt receives an affiliate commission for any purchases made by using such links at no additional cost to you the consumer.
