The Illinois River Road was designated a National Scenic Byway in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. (Photo by jimmywayne/flickr)

By The Associated Press

PEORIA - The Illinois River Road has added a new interactive feature to its website www.illinoisriverroad.org to help travelers plan trips along seven historic and scenic routes.

Visitors can explore what each scenic route holds through the new website feature.

The Illinois River Road was designated a National Scenic Byway in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The agency recognizes roads having outstanding archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

It stretches 291 miles along the Illinois River from Ottawa to Havana, covering 10 counties including Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, Stark, Fulton and Mason.

Next week is Illinois Scenic Byway Week, a week designated to encourage public use of the byways.