Family-Friendly Road Trip from Louisville, KY to St. Paul, MN with Zoo and Play Stops Every 3 Hours

Day 1: Drive & Explore

Louisville, KY to Champaign, IL on May 11, 2025

6:00am

Depart Louisville, KY

Begin your journey early to reach your first stop by mid-morning, optimizing travel time for family stops.
Fuel approx USD15, 3h

9:15am

Stop at Anderson, IN - Mounds State Park

Stretch your legs at Mounds State Park and explore the prehistoric earthworks and scenic trails in a family-friendly setting.
Free entry, 30m

9:45am

Drive to Lafayette, IN

Continue driving northwest to Lafayette for your next family-friendly stop and lunch break.
Fuel approx USD10, 1h45m

11:30am

Visit Columbian Park Zoo - Lafayette, IN

Enjoy a fun and educational 1-hour visit to the Columbian Park Zoo, a small zoo with engaging exhibits perfect for children.
Free entry, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Black Sparrow Restaurant - Lafayette, IN

Savor a family-friendly lunch with a wide menu selection in a comfortable atmosphere.
USD15 per person approx, 45m

1:15pm

Drive to Champaign, IL

Proceed west toward Champaign, Illinois, your overnight stop, with a roughly 2.5-hour drive ahead.
Fuel approx USD25, 2h30m

3:45pm

Orpheum Children's Science Museum

Explore interactive science exhibits ideal for children at the Orpheum Museum, open until 5 PM.
USD8 per person, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Big Grove Tavern - Champaign, IL

Enjoy dinner at Big Grove Tavern, featuring locally sourced, delicious food in a family-friendly environment.
USD18 per person approx, 1h
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Day 2: Drive & Discover

Champaign, IL to St. Paul, MN on May 12, 2025

6:00am

Depart Champaign, IL

Start early for your second day on the road with scheduled engaging stops along the way.
Fuel approx USD15, 3h

9:15am

Stop at Moline, IL - Discovery Center Museum

Enjoy hands-on exhibits at this children's science museum, perfect for a fun 30-minute break. Opens at 9 AM.
USD8 per person, 30m

9:45am

Drive to Davenport, IA

A quick 20-minute drive to Davenport for your next cultural stop at an art museum.
Fuel approx USD5, 20m

10:15am

Visit the Figge Art Museum - Davenport, IA

Engage with family-friendly exhibits at the Figge Art Museum, open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
USD10 per person, 1h

11:15am

Lunch at Machine Shed Restaurant - Davenport, IA

Enjoy Midwestern comfort food in a casual, family-friendly setting to refuel for the final stretch.
USD15 per person approx, 1h

12:15pm

Drive to St. Paul, MN

Embark on the final leg of the journey with around 3.5 hours of driving ahead to reach St. Paul.
Fuel approx USD35, 3h30m

3:45pm

Check-in and Relax - St. Paul, MN

Arrive and settle into your accommodation to rest and refresh after the drive.
Varies by hotel, 1h

5:00pm

Dinner at The Malt House - St. Paul, MN

End your trip with a welcoming family dinner at The Malt House featuring a varied, kid-friendly menu.
USD20 per person approx, 1h
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