Take a scenic ride through the river-carved landscapes of northeast Kansas as we follow a peaceful yet purposeful stretch of U.S. Route 73 from just outside Easton to Atchison. This 14-mile journey unfolds along the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, winding across softly rolling terrain and through the storied Missouri River valley, where history, agriculture, and quiet beauty intermingle.
Our drive begins at the junction with the Santa Fe Trail Road, just east of Easton and a short drive northwest of Leavenworth—an area steeped in frontier and military history. As we turn north onto U.S. Highway 73, we’re immediately greeted by broad rural vistas: open pasturelands broken up by clusters of trees, with utility poles standing sentry like silent mile-markers of Kansas progress. This stretch of the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway feels unhurried, designed not just to get us to Atchison, but to let us feel the rhythm of the land beneath our wheels.
As we cruise northward, the road gently sways around wide curves and dips through low-lying glacial terrain. These hills, remnants of ancient ice flows, offer more variation than one might expect from northeastern Kansas. We pass occasional farms—some modern, others visibly older—anchored by tall silos, red barns, and the ever-present grain bins that dot this part of the state. Fields of soybeans and corn stretch to the horizon in summer, while bare in winter, the land reveals its undulating topography more clearly. The road is quiet, used mostly by locals and the occasional regional hauler, giving this route a sense of calm intimacy with the landscape.
Approaching Atchison, the landscape begins to hint at a more urban rhythm. The highway expands slightly as we pass scattered homes and small roadside businesses—signs that we’ve arrived at the edges of a town with deep historical roots. Founded in the mid-1800s and famously the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, Atchison rises gently from the Missouri River bluffs. Our drive ends at the intersection with U.S. Route 59, just blocks from the heart of downtown. To the east, the river waits quietly; to the west, Atchison’s residential grid unfolds, inviting deeper exploration of this historic river town.
This short journey along U.S. 73 is more than just a connector between two points—it’s a thread in the greater fabric of the Midwest’s scenic and cultural landscape. The route’s inclusion on the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is no accident: it offers a tranquil but vivid look at northeastern Kansas, with its ties to the past and its rootedness in the land. Whether you’re following the road for leisure or logistics, this segment reminds us that even the simplest drives can leave a lasting impression.
This video was originally produced in collaboration with CrossCounty Travelers, a now-retired travel group.
🗺️ Route Map
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