Western Ohio River Historic Byway Road Trip

US 50 composes the Ohio River Scenic Byway on this leg, which showcases a variety of scenery. You’ll cross over the Great Miami River; see industrial areas along the Ohio River in North Bend, Addyston and Cincinnati; and experience downtown Cincy—traffic, skyscrapers and two sports stadiums.

This leg features US 52 and provides plentiful views of the Ohio River once you’re outside of Cincinnati. The drive crosses over several creeks and the Little Miami River, all of which flow into the Ohio River.

As with the other legs, the Ohio River is the main star. Scenic highlights include Ripley’s Maplewood Cemetery, which has graves dating to the 1800s, and a vineyard right along the road in Manchester. In Portsmouth railroad tracks parallel US 52, and a railroad bridge carries the tracks over the Little Scioto River. Tree-topped rock cliffs, crop fields and silos adorn the route, which ends in charming downtown Gallipolis, where businesses occupy brick and stone buildings.