18 Counties in Western Indiana and Eastern Illinois

I initially intended to have a low-key weekend where I stayed home. However, on Thursday night, I started looking at our shared calendar. I realized I wouldn't be able to take a road trip for another month if I did not take one now. Victoria agreed since it had been a while since I took my last road trip that, I could take another one over the weekend.

Deciding to take this road trip was a spur of the moment and impulsive. Right after finishing work on Friday, I scrambled to throw together an itinerary. I had a list of counties within a 6-hour distance of Belleville, so that would be my starting point. Three different areas on my map of remaining counties to visit meet this criterion. When I saw the weather forecast, I decided to go to Indiana.

I've been experimenting around with tactical bags with MOLLE webbing. This allows me to customize how I store stuff and stay more organized. This is actually a diaper bag Victoria got me, but I outfitted it for my trip.

As you can see, there are some MOLLE pouches attached to it.

Gray tactical bag with multiple zippered compartments and straps sitting on a red car seat, with a small tan utility pouch attached to the side

After I picked up Austin and spent some time with him and Victoria, I hit the road. I first got some supper at Kwik Trip.

Travel snacks displayed on a car seat including a large yellow bag of Funyuns onion flavored rings, two wrapped meat sticks, and packaged buns

I then drove to a rest stop in Illinois, about an hour from my first county.

Illuminated civic building photographed at dusk with lit entrance, surrounded by trees and street lights in parking area

Another thing I ordered was a small USB light that could easily clip to the dash.

Car dashboard at night showing mounted accessories including a small black fan, phone holder with device, and LED light

I also got a small blanket that would fit in my diaper bag.

Gray hooded sweatshirt folded on a dark car seat

This setup made it really quick to be ready to sleep right away.

Ford vehicle interior showing steering wheel, center console with radio controls, mounted phone holder, and folded gray clothing

I woke up around 4 AM and hit the road.

Night highway driving view with white lane markings illuminated by headlights stretching into darkness

My first county was Benton County, Indiana.

Historic brick courthouse with ornate Second Empire architecture, featuring mansard roof, arched windows, and cupola, photographed at twilight

I topped off with gas and got a breakfast pizza on my way to Warren County, Indiana.

Breakfast kolache or stuffed pastry in cardboard box topped with melted cheese, scrambled egg, and bacon pieces Neoclassical courthouse with distinctive central dome, cream-colored stone facade, columns, and ornamental balustrades under cloudy sky

I was soon in Illinois at Vermilion County.

Rural highway approaching Illinois state border with green welcome sign visible Grand Beaux-Arts courthouse with white stone exterior, multiple stories, elaborate columns, balustrades, and central curved section

I wasn't in Illinois long before getting to Fountain County, Indiana.

Indiana state welcome sign reading Welcome to Indiana - Crossroads of America - Lincoln's Boyhood Home - Benjamin Harrison America's Hoosier President along rural highway Mid-century modern courthouse with gray stone block construction, flat roof, and geometric window placement

Up next was Vermillion County, Indiana.

Three-story Classical Revival courthouse with tan limestone facade, symmetrical windows, and decorative cornice

I was then immediately back in Illinois for Edgar County.

Curved rural road with yellow center line, open farmland on both sides, and utility pole visible Elaborate Romanesque Revival courthouse with greenstone exterior, central clock tower, multiple turrets, ornate arched windows, and pink tile roof

My last county in Illinois was Clark County.

Red brick courthouse with white Classical details, central white cupola with cross finial, and columned entrance portico

Now it was time to hit Indiana hard. The remaining counties I visited would all be there.

Blue Indiana state welcome sign with state flag logo and text Welcome to Indiana - Crossroads of America mounted on tan brick wall

Some farm equipment passed by as I visited Vigo County.

Urban intersection with multiple traffic signals, construction dump truck, and commercial buildings during overcast daytime Second Empire courthouse with mansard roof and central clock tower, surrounded by multiple flags including American flag, with Vigo County Veterans Memorial Plaza stone marker in foreground

I soon made it to Clay County.

Neoclassical courthouse with tan stone facade, tall entrance columns, clock tower pediment, and historic Civil War era cannon on front lawn

I took the state highways to Parke County.

Rural highway view from vehicle showing straight road with utility poles, open fields, and farm buildings in distance under cloudy sky Grand Second Empire courthouse with white limestone exterior, elaborate central tower with clock and dome, ornate arched windows and architectural detailing

Then I took some real back roads to Montgomery County.

Narrow rural road stretching through agricultural landscape with overhead power lines, plowed fields on left and green crops on right Second Empire courthouse with tan and red stone construction, prominent central clock tower, symmetrical wings, and American flag flying

The next courthouse was Boone County.

White stone courthouse with Neoclassical design featuring massive front colonnade, pediment, central dome, and clock tower cupola

There was a cool buffalo outside of Hendricks County.

Bronze bison statue on stone pedestal featuring blue Indiana state flag design with torch and stars, commemorating statehood dates 1816-2016 Large Beaux-Arts courthouse with rusticated limestone base, tall symmetrical windows, ornamental balustrades, and Classical proportions

I went from the open roads to the big city to visit Marion County in Indianapolis.

Rural highway from driver perspective showing farm tractor with loaded trailer parked on roadside among agricultural fields under overcast sky Downtown Indianapolis intersection with skyline including tall modern office tower, mid-rise buildings, and traffic signals under cloudy sky Modern high-rise office building with grid pattern glass curtain wall facade, concrete lower level, surrounded by mature trees

I'm more of a fan of the open roads. I wanted to visit the Indiana State Capitol Building and had to fight traffic to find a parking spot.

Indianapolis Artsgarden modern glass walkway structure spanning street with traffic below, surrounded by downtown high-rise buildings Indiana State Capitol building with large central dome, Neoclassical limestone architecture, columns, and surrounded by mature trees along urban street

It seems Indiana doesn't really have any Kwik Trip-like gas stations there. I thought Speedway might come close, but there was nothing in the hot case. I got a packaged sandwich instead.

White sedan at gas station pump with convenience store in background during daytime Car center console snacks including Ritz crackers, packaged cheese cubes, packaged smoked ham and cheese product, and blue water bottle

There was a car show outside the Hamilton County courthouse.

Second Empire courthouse with red brick and tan stone, central clock tower, with vintage classic cars including yellow and red models parked during car show

Up next was Tipton County.

Romanesque courthouse with brown stone exterior, tall corner clock tower, multiple conical roof turrets, and arched window openings

Second to last was Clinton County.

Beaux-Arts courthouse with white limestone, elaborate corner pavilions with domed towers, rusticated base, and row of ceremonial flags on front plaza

Finally, I visited Tippecanoe County.

Elaborate Second Empire courthouse with white stone, tall central clock tower with dome, grand colonnade on side facade, flying American and Indiana state flags

I realized it was going to be a 5-hour drive home. However, it was already around 4-5 PM, so I needed to head back before it got too late. My GPS took me down some back roads before finally getting to the interstate.

Long straight rural road stretching toward horizon through agricultural landscape with plowed dark soil fields on both sides and green grass shoulders Interstate 80 highway driving view from vehicle showing multi-lane roadway with pickup truck ahead, trees lining both sides under overcast sky

I got home around 10 PM. Everyone was in bed, except someone instantly woke up to greet me. White dog with brown markings being petted while standing on gray furniture, with blue patterned area rug and wooden floor visible in background

I am happy with this spur-of-the-moment trip I planned. I got 18 new counties. Fifteen of them were in Indiana, and three were in Illinois. It'll probably be sometime in June when I take my next solo road trip. Then again, in a few weeks, I'll be heading to Texas on a family road trip, which will be fun.

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