Scenic drives abound in the Buckeye State, from the rolling countryside of Amish Country to the resplendent views along the Ohio River Scenic Byway. In terms of superlatives, Route 7 is the longest state highway in Ohio, and if you’ve never driven it in its entirety, you’re missing out! Winding its way north from the Ohio River town of Chesapeake all the way up to Conneaut in Ashtabula County, Route 7 is an immensely scenic drive worth taking.

Covering roughly 336 miles, Route 7 is Ohio’s longest state highway, traveling northward from Chesapeake to its terminus in Conneaut.

Doug Kerr/Flickr Hubbard, OH 44425, USA

Heading north from the start of Ohio Route 7 in Gallipolis, history buffs will want to stop and enjoy all this historic river town has to offer. Established in 1790 by French settlers, this town is home to a beautiful park located along the Ohio River, as well as Our House Tavern Museum and the French Art Colony.

ChrisBoswell/iStock via Getty Images Plus Gallipolis, OH 45631, USA

Continuing on the route, The Healing Chapel is a diminutive roadside attraction that’s cute as a button. At a tiny 10-by-14 feet, The Healing Chapel is billed as “Ohio’s smallest church,” and the charming roadside attraction welcomes travelers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Sam DeLong/Flickr The Healing Chapel, James A. Rhodes Appalachian Hwy, Coolville, OH 45723, USA

This scenic drive is not lacking in historic points of interest; as the oldest town in Ohio and the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, the city of Marietta is a real life lesson in U.S. history. The Campus Martius Museum and Ohio River Museum are two must-see stops in this charming river town.

Visit Marietta, Ohio/Facebook Marietta, OH 45750, USA

Another Ohio River town, Steubenville is the seat of Jefferson County and a village steeped in rich history and tradition. Settlers first moved into this region in 1786, after a fort was built along the banks of the Ohio River. It was named after Major-General Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben, a Prussian soldier who supported the American Revolution.

Visit Steubenville & Jefferson County/Facebook Steubenville, OH, USA

As beautiful as it is historic, Steubenville is home to a Carnegie Library, acclaimed Catholic university, and numerous points of interest such as Historic Fort Steuben and birthplace of Dean Martin.

Visit Steubenville & Jefferson County/Facebook

Sardis is another town located along Ohio Route 7. Among the early settlers in this area was Major Earl Sproat, one of the 48 members of the Ohio Company, which founded Marietta. The village of Sardis was laid out by James Patton in 1843; today, it’s home to a small-but-mighty population of around 600.

Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons Sardis, OH 43946, USA

One of the northernmost places along Route 7 is Beaver Creek State Park in Liverpool, Ohio. Spread out over 2,700 acres of forested land, this glorious recreation area offers myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation, from camping to paddling to hiking.

Beaver Creek State Park/Facebook Beaver Creek State Park, 12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, USA

While the entirety of Ohio Route 7 can be driven in a day, there are so many delightful detours along the way that we definitely recommend turning this road trip into a multi-day adventure!

Beaver Creek State Park/Facebook

Looking for more worth-the-drive excursions in the Buckeye State? Route 50 runs through the entirety of Southern Ohio, and it’s a delightful drive full of enchanting scenery.

Doug Kerr/Flickr

Hubbard, OH 44425, USA

ChrisBoswell/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Gallipolis, OH 45631, USA

Sam DeLong/Flickr

The Healing Chapel, James A. Rhodes Appalachian Hwy, Coolville, OH 45723, USA

Visit Marietta, Ohio/Facebook

Marietta, OH 45750, USA

Visit Steubenville & Jefferson County/Facebook

Steubenville, OH, USA

Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons

Sardis, OH 43946, USA

Beaver Creek State Park/Facebook

Beaver Creek State Park, 12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, USA

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Address: Ohio 7, OH-7, Marietta, OH, USA