Drive America’s Highways for 13 peaceful and picturesque miles along Kansas Highway K-7 from the historic town of Atchison northward to the rural outskirts of Troy in northeast Kansas. This short but scenic drive follows a segment of the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, a route known for its sweeping farmland views, winding elevation changes, and peaceful countryside charm. With light traffic and virtually no urban congestion, this part of K-7 makes for an easygoing experience whether you’re just passing through or exploring the region.
We begin our journey on the north side of Atchison, a town rich in riverfront history and perhaps best known as the birthplace of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. As we head north on K-7, the road quickly transitions from residential edges into the open prairie. Almost immediately, we’re greeted by gentle, rolling hills and wide stretches of farmland—some planted with row crops, others dotted with grazing cattle. The terrain here is textbook northeastern Kansas: a quiet blend of agricultural heartland and natural ridgelines shaped by ancient glacial activity. The route climbs and curves in a way that gives travelers a slightly elevated perspective of the surrounding fields and wooded stream valleys.
K-7 doubles as the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway for this stretch, and it earns the name. Named for the glacial deposits that formed the region’s distinct topography, the byway is a favorite for photographers, motorcyclists, and those in search of Kansas’ quieter side. There are no fast-food exits or major commercial districts here—just grain silos, family farms, and the occasional white farmhouse tucked behind rows of trees. We pass the intersection with K-20 just outside the hamlet of Denton, continuing north on K-7 through more wide-open spaces. Depending on the time of year, the fields may be golden with wheat, green with soybeans, or a patchwork of newly plowed rows.
As the drive nears its end, we approach the area just west of Troy, the county seat of Doniphan County. While we don’t enter Troy directly on this route, the town lies just a short turn off K-7 via a local connector road. Here, the landscape begins to flatten out a bit, and small groves of trees hint at the Missouri River bottomlands to the east. It’s a quiet end to a quiet drive—one that offers a glimpse into a part of Kansas that hasn’t changed much in generations. If you’re into local history, the region around Troy has a number of small historic cemeteries and Native American sites, though they’re often unmarked and off the beaten path. For many travelers, this stretch of K-7 is less about destination and more about the journey—an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the open road.
This video was produced in collaboration with our friends at Cross County Travelers. Please check them out at their website, https://crosscountytravelers.com.
🗺️ Route Map
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