River Road
River Road is a State Scenic Byway in Kentucky. Within Kentucky it covers roughly 10 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along River Road with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
River Road is a 7-mile Kentucky state byway hugging the Ohio River through Louisville's eastern suburbs, running from the US 42 junction near Prospect to Zorn Avenue. The road passes the wealthy riverside communities around Harrods Creek, where stately old homes look out over the blue-gray water, along with green public parkland and a historic water tower closer to the city. It's one of the few scenic byways in Kentucky that functions as much as a local commuter road as a designated scenic drive, threading between the river and residential neighborhoods rather than through open countryside. The Patriots Peace Memorial sits along the route as a quieter landmark amid the riverside homes. It offers a compact, easy alternative for visitors wanting Ohio River views without leaving the Louisville metro area, distinct from the state's more remote riverfront byways farther west along the Mississippi.
- 7 miles, US 42 to Zorn Avenue near Louisville
- Harrods Creek riverside community
- Ohio River views inside Louisville metro
- historic water tower
- Patriots Peace Memorial
What is a State Scenic Byway?
State Scenic Byways are roads a state has formally recognized for their scenic, natural, historic or cultural value — each state's own curated collection of drives worth taking slowly.
Where to Stay along River Road
No campgrounds are listed close to River Road yet, but there are rooms near the route.
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