All too often, the main focus of a trip is the destination, but what about the journey?

While taking a plane to get where you need to go can be timely and convenient, nothing beats the unexpected beauty you encounter during a road trip.

Just as your perspective shifts and it becomes less about getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, and more about the magic you experience along the way, the simple trip you planned suddenly becomes an adventure.

Sleeping on a flight as you barrel through endless clouds surrounded by strangers, turns into a front row seat at the most stunning show nature has to offer, all from the comfort of your own vehicle.

Look over there! A crystal clear body of water lined with small cabins surrounded by lush trees. No! The other window! Mountains as tall as the eye can see with buffalo stampeding the valley below. And don't even get us started on America's never-ending roadside attractions.

While each road presents its own beautiful traveling experience, there is one drive in each state known for providing the MOST scenic views around.

According to a list compiled by Thrillist, the most scenic drive in all of Illinois is Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway.

Here's what Thrillist had to say about the most scenic drive in the entire state:

"This one is all about twofers. One of the most beautiful destinations in Illinois, the 33-mile Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway celebrates the beauty that lies at—you guessed it—the intersection of two rivers, the Illinois and the Mississippi. (The Missouri River also makes a brief appearance: it joins the other two in Alton, Illinois, just south of Pere Marquette State Park). This trip also covers just one section of a long string of river towns that lie along the Great River Road, a route that winds along the Mississippi and traverses 10 states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and beyond."

For a continued list of the most scenic drives in America, visit Thrillist.com.

Candace McCollum