Finding Serenity on the Back Roads of Union County

Start your morning with a gentle drive as the roads wake with the light. The mist still hangs low, the fields shine with dew, and each turn opens to a view that feels untouched.

Grab a warm cup from New Grounds Coffee in Plain City or Coffee Hall in Uptown Marysville, then take to the back roads while the world is still waking up. These early hours are for unhurried beginnings — coffee in hand, windows down, the hum of tires on gravel. The morning roads of Union County remind you that peace doesn’t need planning — it’s something you find between the sunrise and the sound of the breeze.

As the sun rises, the rolling farmland glows in shades of gold and amber. The mist settles low over the fields, and for a few quiet miles, it’s just you, your coffee, and the open road.

As the sun climbs higher, the roads invite you to wander without hurry. Drift along a new route, follow a curve that looks interesting, or stop to watch the wind ripple through the crops.

By midday, make your way to the Pottersburg Covered Bridge or to the North Lewisburg Covered Bridge, one of Union County’s most photographed spots. Bring a blanket and a picnic to enjoy under the bridge’s wooden beams as the leaves drift overhead. Make sure to stop in town to get some of the best local finds at Mosier's Market and Amish Heritage Country Market.

These midday stretches are for pausing — not to check a map, but to simply be there. Maybe you stop to chat with someone tending a roadside stand or capture a photo of the sky stretching endlessly above. The beauty of Union County’s roads is that they reward curiosity.

By afternoon, the back roads stretch wide and golden, unfolding through miles of open fields. This is when the countryside feels endless — when each mile brings a new rhythm and every turn reveals another view worth slowing for.

As the day cools, take a bike ride through the countryside. The fall colors make this flat, scenic route especially stunning — every turn lined with gold and crimson.

Pedal at your own pace, stop for photos, and let the quiet rhythm of the trail carry you into the evening.

Evening drives here feel timeless — the kind that leave you quiet and content. Whether you’re heading toward Marysville or winding back through open farmland, the peace of Union County’s countryside lingers long after the engine stops.

Before heading home, circle back to the Pottersburg Covered Bridge to take the trail into North Lewisburg, where you can treat yourself to a scoop at Junebug’s Ice Cream, located just south of the trail’s end — a perfect way to savor your time on Union County’s back roads. As you walk back along the trail, the setting sun washes the landscape in golden hues — a beautiful close to a day well spent.

Let the Roads Lead You

In Union County, Ohio, the back roads are more than a way to get somewhere — they are the experience. They invite you to slow down, to notice, to reconnect.

So next weekend, take the turn that looks interesting. Wander the roads less traveled. You’ll find that every mile in Union County has its own quiet story to tell — one worth taking the time to hear.