Illinois 71 has three parts:
1. In the west, it is a straight east-west route that begins as I-180, the most useless interstate in Illinois, ends. After intersecting I-39/US51, it turns north to Oglesby.
2. From Oglesby to IL23 by Ottawa, IL71 is a scenic drive through Starved Rock State Park and along Matthiessen State Park. It has many slow twists and turns because of the bluffs on the Illinois River, but the drive is very pretty.
3. From Ottawa eastward, IL71 is a NE-SW route to Oswego.
Intersections from west to east:
IL26 at I-180's southern end and IL71's west end
IL71 crosses IL251 as IL351 begins and follows IL71 northward
IL351 breaks off at Oglesby and IL71 turns east again
IL178 near Starved Rock
IL71 joins IL23 north at Ottawa
After downtown, IL71 goes east on US6 as IL23 continues north
IL71 breaks off to go northeast
US52 south of Yorkville
IL71 ends at US34 at Oswego.
It passes through these towns: Hennepin, Granville, Standard, Cedar Point, Oglesby, Ottawa, Norway, Oswego.
