Route 66
Route 66
Chicago to LA – 2022
States: IL, MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA
Miles: 2800
Days: 7 days+1
RT66 is from Chicago to LA, but I did all the way From New York City, which add an extra 1000 miles to the trip an extra day. However, I did the entire trip in 8 days plus I spent another three weeks in the south with my son, who just turned into 13 yrs. old during this trip.
It was very interesting to see, how United States changes from the Northeast trough in the southwest. Like two different countries. Also, the people change with the regions as well like in two different cultures.
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO
Route 66 starts and ends in the 3rd largest city in the US. If you start your trip from here, you can find the RT66 Begin sign on Adams Street near the Michigan Avenue intersection. The sign was moved a few times. According to the RT66 association the original RT66 sign in 1926 was placed Jackson BLVD and Michigan Avenue. Near the Art Institute. Later on, in 1933 it’s been moved several blocks east to Jackson and Lake Shore Drive, closer to World’s Fair. In 1955 Jackson Blvd became a one-way street, so the BEGIN sign had to move again, to Adams Street, one block north, and this way it became the starting point of westbound and E Jackson Blvd is the ending point of east bound.
Parking here is not easy, unless you jump in and out for a quick photo. I always park at the end of the street under the metro line.
There is another RT66 sign at E Adams Street and S Wabash Ave corner behind the fence of the Orchestra Hall-Symphony Center.
What to do around here: Chicago is a place where you can do a lot of fun. It’s became a beautiful city, and thanks for San Antonio, TX and Chicago City Planners, copies San Antonio’s River walk, and turns both side of Chicago River its own kind of great community area.
Magnificent Mile: I would walk through the Chicago River Walk and cross some bridges. It’s really beautiful. At dark it’s even more gorgeous. If you have time for a river boat tour, I would definitely sign up for the last tour on that day, because you start in the daytime, but you will go into the night.
Al Capone: The most infamous gangster of all, Al Capone’s favorite bar is still open, and its still looks like in back in the time of the 30s. The Green Mill gives you the best of Jazz you can find in the city. If you need a table, you better to reserve one or come early because its get full quickly. There is a entry fee, but it’s worth just to see the place. Sometimes I come in just to 5-10 minutes, other times i spend hours here. The Address: Green Mill Cocktail Lounge 4802 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640 PH: 773-878-5552
Grand Park: Chicago’s “Central Park” is a great exterior artist studio. I recommend walking around a bit. From the Agora to the Cloud Gate, that called “Bean” and looks like a huge drop of mercury, is became Chicago most visited attraction. In the middle of the park between the flower gardens you can find the gorges Buckingham Fountain, that you might see in the intro of the classic tv show, Married… with children.
Navy Pier: This is Chicago’s iconic waterfront destination with lots of stores and street food. A 3,300-foot-long pier in the Lake Michigan. Here you can find the Fairy-wheel. The original Fairy Wheel was introduced here in Chicago, and it was made of wood, and it was introduced the World Fair. Unfortunately, the original wheel, which was way bigger than today’s Farris wheel, is ended in a wasteland.
Willis Towers: Chicago tallest building and US tallest building is the Willis Towers formally known as Sears Towers. It’s gives you spectacular view to the city in 360 degrees and you can step out from the building into a sky deck, which is a glass box, from 110 story, 1451 foot (442,3m) if you dare. For the first time my legs were shaking. But even if you’re a group you have less then 1 minute to take your photos together and separately. It’s just aggravating for that long waiting, pricey tickets you get less 10 a minute to take pictures. Address: 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago , IL 60606 PH: 312-875-0066
Maggie Daley Park Play Garden: Even for adults it’s really nice to walk around here. If you’re with children, it provides a 3,590 square feet place for playing. Includes pathways, play zones, bridges, climbing, and endless excitement for kids.
Lakefront trail: If you don’t want to spend the time and money, then I highly recommend a late afternoon walk into the night by the walking path on the lake front.
Leaving Chicago
You can try to chase the original RT66 street, or you just can skip the Chicago’s crazy traffic and start with the very first town to stop at Plainfield or Romeoville. Why did I name two towns? In 1930’s RT66 was rerouted trough Plainfield. The original route was going through Romeowille and Joliet. In 1930s it became the “ALT 66”.
LYONS, McCOOK, WILMINGTON BRAIDWOOD, JOILET
LYONS
The Hofmann Tower was built in 1908 it’s a spectacular building that looks like a castle. If you’re interested in bridges, you can find the Des Planes River Bridge on Joliet Rd. The bridge was built earlier than the mother road, in 1900 and pretty soon, in 1927 it was replaced later in 1996 renovated.
McCOOK
“Welcome to Fabulous McCook” after the famous Las Vegas welcome sign. If you hungry you can visit the Steak ‘N Egger restaurant here.
WILMINGTON
You can find here the Gemini Giant is the very first Giant to. Westbound, and you can find behind the Launching Pad Drive In. (Unfortunately, it was always closed, when I was around.)
BRAIDWOOD
Polka Dot Drive-In with 1950 decor.
Braidwood Zoo once was a stop on Route 66. It features of menagerie of animal sculptures created by Jack Baker. It contains about six sculptures a yellow giraffe, pink elephant and longhorn steer. Address: 140 N. Front St., Braidwood
JOILET
This town is an original RT66 town. I recommend seeing Rialto Square Theatre (102 N Chicago) built in 1926.
Joilet Prison became famous because the Blues Brothers movie was filmed here. When you drive east our westbound you have to go across the 1935 built Ruby St. Bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet. South of Joilet there are another bridge you can across the same river, the twin I-55 bridges. It built in 1957 to replace a 1932 bridge.
GARDNER, DWIGHT, ODELL
GARDNER
This is a very nice town with very nice people. Once a man stepped toward to me and he asked me if he can help. I told him, we just traveling trough the mother road and just she-end where and we take photos here. He was very nice, introduced himself, and its turned out he is the mayor of the town. After a short talk he had to go. I’ve seen him cleaning the street from the leaves. I wish every town would have a mayor like him.
Here you can find 66 statues and a small park.
Two Cell Jail: Gardner have another surprise, an old jail that was built 1906 and used during the heyday of Route 66 to the 50s. Address: Address: 400 E. Mazon St., Gardner.
DWIGHT
Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station. This place works today as a gift shop and it’s so cute it is a must to see on the road. It was built on 1933 and named after the original owner. It’s opens May 1st in every year. Address: West Waupansie Street, Dwight.
Also, interesting site could be the Oughton Estate Windmill which was built 1896 a 110-foot-tall windmill one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Address: 101 W. South St., Dwight
ODELL
Standard Oil Gas Station: A well restored 1932 gas station today is a gift shop. The building is in the National Register of Historic Places. It is a must see on the RT66 north Illinois attraction. Address: 400 S. West St., Odell
Odell Pedestrian Tunnel is something that you would think a such a small city wouldn’t need, however back then the Mother Road was so busy, crossing the road for pedestrians considered dangerous, therefore the city built this pedestrian underpass tunnel in 1937. Later, when the new superhighway system was built, Route 66 became a local road with way less traffic the tunnel wasn’t need anymore and eventually it was buried. Since Route 66 became popular tourist attraction, city of Odell partially restored the tunnel. The underpass never been dug out, but the entrance and first step with the sign is visible. It’s a nice feature of this road since not many underpasses was built.
you can see a restored original “Meramec cavern” barn sign. North of Odell you will cross the Mazon River Bridge a concrete bridge on the road, It was built in 1957 for replace an older bridge. It probably needed because RT66 became four lane road, so Illinois built two lanes bridges each one for east and west bound traffic.
PONTIAC
PONTIAC
Pontiac is very nice town. Early morning I started to explore this little city and it’s all about RT66. There is a nice car museum in the city center, called Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum and the owners of the museum such a nice people. When I entered to the museum, the owner already was taking photos of my son who came here about 20 minutes sooner than me, and he was able to sit in a car he like the most. Also, they have very Unique car selection and the enter museum is furnished very tastefully. I warmly recommend to everybody who is doing the Mother Road. The visitor center is a small museum, where you can get the RT66 Passport as well for $13 and get stamps in it. Th passport is a nice thing to have, because you start hunting for the stamps, while you are reading the information about the road, and at the end will be nice memorabilia. Behind the visitor center is a couple of murals and an old bus that was modified with wood, turned into a moving home. Today probably would not permit to use it on the road, but back then it wasn’t a problem at all. What a freedom!
This school bus was Bob Waldmire Road Yacht!
The old Illinois State Police HQ: Since the traffic got bigger and bigger on the road, state police started to look after longer distances. A new building was built for the Illinois State Police in 1941 which was decommissioned in 2003.
Bridges of Pontiac
Before you enter Pontiac north of the city you have to cross the Wold Creek over a concrete girder bridge that was built in 1955 to replace an older bridge. The bridge has no name. Another bridge you will cross in Pontiac over the North Creek, another concrete deck girder bridge on North Division Street. Later on, south of Pontiac you will be able to find a closed bridge over the Turtle Creek, a 4 four lane concrete bridge that was in use between 1954 and 1998. Unfortunately its been closed from traffic. But the bridges stories aren’t over for Pontiac, since you can across a twin bridges over Rooks creek. The original bridge was replaced because it was a built on a dangerous curve. The new bridge was built in 1940 that later became the East bound bridge when the West bound pair was built in 1946 for expand the Mother Road for 4-lanes road. Today the westbound bridge is closed east bound is open to traffic.
Bob Waldmire
Robert Waldmire (April 19, 1945 – December 16, 2009) was an American artist and cartographer who is well known for his artwork of U.S. Route 66, including whimsical maps of the Mother Road and its human and natural ecology. He is. True hero of Route 66.
It’s a very unique bus that Bob Waldmire used going back and forth on the mother road. The original 1966 school bus got some wooden floor on top and balconies. It turned out to a very nice ride that I wish I could have. He actually used it till 2009 Unfortunately the bus is closed, can see how’s look inside, but still a good attraction to take a photo with. His VW bus you can see in the Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum in the next building. Waldmire was itinerant artist who was driving with his personalized cars on Route 66 for decades. Address: 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, IL. If you wish to see bob Waldmnire’s bus and photo exhibit, here is the number to reach: 815-844-IL66
City of Pontiac offers you a Free City Bus Tour: starts at parking lot at Bob Waldmire’s bus. If you have 1,5-2 hrs, why not?
The Old Log Cabin restaurant opened in 1926 same year as Route 66 was born and survived over these years. Now days they are waiting RT66 travelers again, just as back in the old days.
Walldog Mural Museum 217 N Mill PH: 815-822 1848
CHEONA, LEXINGTON, TOWANDA, FUNK GROVE, NORMAL & BLOOMINGTON
CHEONA
Town of CHEONA ha s a few attractions beside the Historic section of RT66. The town has a pharmacy from 1800s, Selz Royal Blue Shoes Mural, and the historic home of Matthew T. Scott. North of Cheona you will crossing a concrete bridge over Rooks Creek.
LEXINGTON
The city restored a short stretch of the Old Route 66 that was used between 1926 and 1930s. Memory Lane. North of Lexington you will crossing bridge what is a 2018 replacement for an earlier bridge. South of Lexington you will across a twin concrete bridge over the Mackinaw River. The original bridge was built for both lanes, and lather it became east bound later it was expanded for four lane with the other pair. In 2000 both bridges was reopened after renovation.
TOWANDA
Tiny town of Towanda got and infamous part of Mother Road, the lethal “Dead Man’s Curve”. You can still find these days where Jackson ST bends sharply onto Quincy. The highways officials The narrow 1930s alignment of was bypassed after WW2 and they had to remove a house near by after a truck ran into the house and ruined it foundation. You can see the sign about the curve. By the side of the road you can see the Towanda Route 66 Park & Trail, which is a the original RT66 abounded southbound lanes reused as a trail. Here also you can find Joe’s Garage for some gifts. North of Towanda you will cross a concrete slab bridge that was a 1954 replacement for an earlier bridge. Mother road crosses another bridge of North Side of Towanda that was built in 1954 and replaced in 2000.
NORMAL & BLOOMINMGTON
Not too far I had another stop in the city of Normal, at Sprague’s Super Service which is serves as a gift shop today, but when its opened back in 1931 used to be a gas station, cafe, and garage. In 2006 was restored by an Illinois state professor and her husband and today works as a museum and gift shop. In Bloomington you can find the original Beer Nuts Factory that turned into a store. Bloomington had a bridge on Main Street the Sugar Creek Bridge which was originally built in 1917 and replaced in 1957. The bridge is gone.
FUNK GROVE
Timber Creek bridge was built in 1957 as a replacement of an earlier bridge.
McLEAN, ATLANTA, LINCOLN, BROADWELL & ELKHART
McLEAN
America very first and oldest Truck stop still in work, its called Dixie Travel Plaza as formally known as Dixie Truckers Home and its open since 1928. It’s use to provide cabins for the truck-drivers to sleep en-route. The original building burned down in 1965 they had to build a new one. We can say this place was the prototype of the modern truck stops. You still can pump gas and you find a police car on a 15 foot pole.
ATLANTA
Another Giant with Hod Dog dressed as Paul Bunyon. This giant originally stood Bunyon’s Hot Dog Stall in Cicero. In Atlanta you can find RT66 murals, one of them is a 20×6 feet mural that was made inn 2003. The mural says: “Atlanta: Midway on Illinois’ Mother Road”. The city has a hand cranked clock tower that need to rewind in 8 days. The Palms Grill Cafe opened in 1934 and its still open today. Also you can stop and visit the Route 66 park in the city for relax.
North of Atlanta over Clear Creek the original bridge was built in 1954
LINCOLN
Right side of the road you can see a giant Abraham Lincoln and a wagon. This is not its original place, its been moved a several times. Original location Divernon, IL.
Blue In Curve or also known as “killer Curve”: The deadly curve was named after a motel that was near by the turns. The road in 1940s turned into a four-lane divided road, but the curve remain deadly.
The city got a very tiny church in the parking lot built out from wood logs and named as Zion Lutheran Church. Basically its an advertisement for the real church.
The Mother Road was rerouted a couple times, and in city of Lincoln you can find a piece of a lost section behind the Lost Roadway dealership. Similar thing happened to the Ghost Bridge, they became a private property recently.
The old 1920s Salt Creek Bridge piers still visible, in the creek. The city or state built another bridge in 1942 to replace the original one.
BROADWELL & ELKHART
The old Pig Hip Restaurant opened in 1937 and served the costumers with pork sandwiches till 1990. The “Old Coot on Route 66” aka Ernie Edwards ran the restaurant that later turned into a museum that was open for another 17 years. However the building destroyed by fire in 2007. Today you can find a plaque that says: “U.S. Route 66 ‘The Mother Road’ Endures FOREVER.” Also you can find a big red house shape sign that says “Home of Pig-Hip Restaurant over 50 years” and a “Museum” sign underneath.
WILLIAMSWILLE, SHERMAN, SPRINGFIELD
WILLIAMSVILLE
The town has the old gas station on Route 66 that worth a visit. Address: 117 N. Elm St. Williamsville, IL.
SHERMAN
The town purchased an abounded part of the original RT66 from the state to restore and preserve it and its called Route 66 Memorial Rest Area. The former road will be a nice addition to the locals and travelers. Sherman has a very nice feature, abounded bridge, over the Fancy Creek. This bridge was a replacement for an earlier and it was built in 1953 and it became east bound and a west bound pair was built in the same year. Today east bound is I open to traffic west bound is abounded. The Sangamon River Bridge was built in 1936 and reconstructed in 1987. Beautiful long bridge.
SPRINGFIELD
In Springfield RT66 road splits. The original rt66 1926-1930 follows original IL-Hwy 4 between Springfield and Staunton. This alt will have a million turns. Or you can follow the post 1930 option which follows the I-55 and the two RT66 meet once again at Staunton. I did both and I recommend 1926-1930 ALT route. The Cozy Dog Drive-In is part of the Route 66 attractions and a well known restaurant in Springfield owned by Waldmire family where you can try the deprived hotdog. Address: 6th/BL to north of Stevenson. In Springfield you can find a lost segment of the Old Route 66, runs from Cabin Smoke Trail to Sangamon River. Only part is available to walk one it is what’s let in Carpenter Park. Lauterbach Giant aka the Muffler Man stands by the road at Lauterbach Tire/Auto. Address: 1569 Wabash Ave. Springfield’s abounded Lick Creek Bridge is available for pedestrians only, by the Old Chatham rd. The bridge was in use between 1919 and 1989. It is an unmaintained bridge! But cool for photographing,
Extras: We had some good food, and I was able to see the home of the president Abe Lincoln. That meant a lot form me.
Lincoln Home is a National Historical Site and operated by the National Park System. In this house our 16th president lived for 17 years with his family and this was the only home that Abraham Lincoln ever owned. The Historic Zones preserved and restored this home to its 1860s appearance, and not only this home, but the residences of Lincoln’s neighbors. It’s really great to walk in the neighborhood and you can learn about the Abraham Lincoln not just his carrier, but also as a husband and a father. PH: 217 492 4241 221. At the State Fair fairgrounds gate #1 you can find a 30 feet tall Abraham Lincoln Statue. Springfield is considered as the president hometown. Springfield auto show is a pretty big one. Streets after streets filled with beautiful vintage cars.
VIRDEN, STAUTON, DIVERTON, BRIDGEVIEW PARK, FARMERSVILLE, AUBURN
VIRDEN
Battle of VIRDEN monument.
STAUNTON
You can find two brick gas stations on HGWY 4 and a old 2 lane stretch of the Route 66 around East of I-55 between exit 88 and 83 that was built around 1930. You can still drive on it. Not too far you can find Devil’s Elbow Inn that was named after the turn of the Big Piney River. Short story is, this river turn gout its name from the early loggers, who would lost their logs down the river to the sawmill. The river’s elbow caused many issues to the loggers and they named it “Devil’s Elbow”. The inn originally probably was built for the loggers to take rest, and eat.
DIVERTON
A concrete slab bridge is here to pass on just north of Diverton that was built in 1949. That was a repo placement of an earlier bridge from a late 1920s
BRIDGEVIEW PARK
The exit 88 from highway will lead your to a short section of a 4-lane 66 however its a dead end road.
FARMERSVILLE
Art’s Motel one of the stop in this small town that was closed for a short period of times. We’re happy its open back again. The towns bridge over the Macoupin Creek was a 1949 replacement for an earlier bridge.
AUBURN
Between Chatham and Auburn you can find a 1.4 mile stretch of brick road. North of this town have a fairly new concrete bridge over the Panther Creek on Snell rd, what is a replacement for a 1920 bridge. On Curran road was another bridge that in 2002 needed to be replaced. The original bridge was built in 1920 as well.
NILWOOD, WAGGONER, LICHFIELD, MT. OLIVE, COLLINSVILLE, CARLINVILLE, GILLESPIE, BENLD
NILWOOD
North of the town you can see a brick guardrail bridge. The bridge was built in 1920 with concrete slabs and brick guardrails. The replacement was Concrete Culvert with brick guardrail. Another interesting thing on the route near Nilwood, if you see a turkey sign by the side of the road you can stop for a minute and take a look of the ground. It happened in 1920s when the Mother Road was built by concrete, some turkey walk on the fresh concrete floor and its preserved the turkey tracks till today. The highway Department continue maintain this attraction.
WAGGONER
“Our LAdy of the HGWY” shrine, blessing the road and it’s traveler since 1959. Probably they started to do it because at this time Route 66 considered dangerous.
LICHFIELD
Sky View Drive-In Theatre is the oldest and one of the few still operating theatre left on Mother Road. In case if you want to visit here, the address: 1500 N Old Route 66. Aniston Cafe is a well preserved restaurant, first opened 1926. In case you like to have a coffee the address is: 413 Old Route 66. Litchfield Museum and RT66 Welcome Center if you want to visit here, www.lichfieldmuseum.org
MT OLIVE
A fully restored Soulby Station. Opened 1926 and sold gas for 65 years.
COLLINSVILLE
Brooks Catsup Bottle is a 170 feet tall Water Tower shaped of a ketchup bottle, which as known the world largest bottle of ketchup that contains 100,000-gallon of water and could hold 640,000 bottles of catchup bottles. The reason is why it have a ketchup bottle form because this building once served as the local Catchup factory that opened in 1949 for the Brooks Food plant.
CARLINVILLE
Near Carlinville, IL you can find a very interesting spot. In the 1920s when they started to pave the road by concrete, turkeys walked trough and their track is preserved till today.
GILLESPIE
This town was on the map of the very first, the original Route that was built and used between 1926-1930. This stretch so narrow, almost impossible for two cars to meet.
BENLD
Here was located the Coliseum Ballroom, that was burned down. A lots of turns otherwise nothing really to find here.
Bridges
Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi River was built in originally built in 1929. State closed it 1969 and reopened for pedestrians in 1999. Occasionally open for vehicles for special events. The bridge was built by 5-span Pennsylvania Through Truss.
McKinley Bridge near Venice was originally built in 1910. Closed it in 2001 after reconstruction in 2005 reopened in 2007. It was built by
Three-span, pin-connected, 18 panel Pennsylvania Through Truss;
MISSOURI
ST LOUIS
I’ve been to St Louis before, and when I’m here I always visit the Gateway Arch. Such a nice place. It’s a must to see, however I think this is the place no one wants to miss it. It was built in the 60’s for $13 million (c. $83million today). If you have time, you’re able to go up to the top with elevator. Also, there is a cool museum in the bottom of the arch. I loved it.
GLENCOE, CARTHAGE, COMMERCE, CUBA, EUREKA
GLENCOE
Big Chief Roadhouse opened around 1929 and its got a quite history. Legend like Babe Ruth or the infamous gangster Al Capone dined here.
CARTHAGE
There are just a few 66 Drive-In Theatre remaining and one of them is located in this small Missouri town. The theatre is open weekends from spring to fall. Since drive-in theatre heydays are over, its still around of the 325 that’s still remaining in the entire US.
The Boots Motel in Carthage is still in operation today. The Art Deco style is looks cooler than ever. It’s a motel where you can have garage with your room. Not much left of its kind.
COMMERCE
Mickey Mantle statue was built here because it is his hometown.
CUBA
The World’s Largest Rocking Chair was created to break the Gunnies World Record in 2008. Originally it had to be able to move back and forth but these days its just secured. However, the world records are made to break them, and in 2015 its lots its record to Casey Illinois where a 56.5 foot rocking hare was built.
Wagon Wheel Motel was open here about 1935 and never closed its doors. What on Wheels still have the neon lights from 1940s
EUREKA
Eureka still have a Route 66 State Park that was opened in 1935. The park was built not only for locals but also for travelers who needed as little stretch. The park offers natural trails, picnic sites as well.
STANTON, DEVIL'S ELBOW, LEBANON, SPRINGFIELD, TIMES BEACH, JOPLIN
STANTON
Meramec Caverns has its own kind of history. Not only about the RT66 but also a gangster history. It’s turned out Jesse James and the Dalton brothers used this cave as hideout. Since 1933 the Route 66 can stamp here for a guided tour in their multi-level natural wonder,. About 1 hour 20 minutes you can get break from driving and see the cave.
DEVIL’S ELBOW:
Located in the Ozark Mountains and the Mart Twain National Forest. Actually its one of the most scenic stretch of the Route 66.
Through Truss bridge on the Big Piney River at Devil’s Elbow was built in 1923 and rehabbed in 2013. It’s a Mixed: 1-span Warren Pony Truss; 2-span Parker Through Truss; 4-span Concrete Deck Girder.
LEBANON
Route 66 was used by people who moved to west, truckers, gangsters and famous people. In Lebanon Bonnie and Clyde stayed, Paul McCartey, Bob Hope and so on.
Camp Joy, was a hotel, where every room was a small house or bungalow. Some of them was with garage. Bonnie and Clyde stayed here for a few days, and luckily they left before the police arrived. Bob Hope stayed here as well.
Glenn “Wrink” Wrinkle opened Wrinks Market in 1950 and it was closed in 2005 when he died. It’s reopened by his granddaughter and its open today. Wrinks Market is not only a general store on RT66, they serve brown bag lunch special, antiques and collectibles. PH: 1-417-532-3201 Address: 135 Wrinkle Ave, Lebanon, MO 65536.
The Manor House Inn was built in 1903 by William Lenz and it was known as The Lenz HoMoTel and later The Lenz Manor and it operated till 1972. Its reopened in 2018 by Randy and Bronwen Palilla and Jason and Michelle Cochran as The Manor House Inn. Ph: 1-417-718-6200. Address505 East Elm Street, Lebanon, MO 65536
ROUTE 66 MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER is a sel f guided museum, features 1950s gas station, diner from the golden era, vintage car, and so on. Addition is free! Ph: 1-417-532-2148 Address: 915 S Jefferson Ave, Lebanon, MO
ROUTE 66 THEMED BOSWELL PARK It’s a home of 3 large murals in Boswell Park witch were funded by the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society. Ph: 1-417-991-2222 Address: 51 Drury Ln, Lebanon, MO 65536
TRAIL OF TEARS
One of the experiences you can find of this road is the Trail of tears Memorial, the High Tech Stonehenge replica and the Uranus.
SPRINGFIELD
This large city, Springfield got the recognition of the birthplace of the original Route 66. It all because back in the time from the Colonial Hotel were sent a telegram to US Highway administration to propose the number 66.
Gary’s Gay Parita
It’s always fun to stop here. It is an an old restored gas station with a barn that has a couple vintage cars.
TIMES BEACH
Times Beach Bridge on the Meramec River was built in 1933 as a replacement of the Trough Truss Bridge (Votaw Bridge) from 1900.
Times Beach Bridge was 3-span Warren Deck Truss with Verticals; the 1900 Bridge was a 10-panel Camelback Pratt. You still can find the metal frames. After Orange agent disaster everything was abounded here.
JOPLIN
In Joplin, there is an interesting site to see. It is the two infamous gangsters, public enemy #1 Bonnie and Clyde’s temporary home. The bank robbers lived in this house for less than 2 weeks before the April 13, 1933 shootout with the police. Unfortunately two officers died, and Bonnie and Clyde were able to escape… this tim
KANSAS
GALENA, RIVERTON, BAXTER SPRINGS
GALENA
Kansas doesn’t have too much to see since its own only 13 miles of the Mother Road. However its worth to stop to see the old Kan-O-Tex service station as better known today Cars on the Route. What you can see here today is the home of the “Cars” characters. The animated film got the inspirations for the characters of Tow Mater in the animated film.
Galena Mining & Historical Museum and the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot. You can learn about the mining history of the town and about how Pixar animators based the fictional town of Radiator Springs on this Kansas town, Galena.
Rainbow bridge AKA the Brush Creek Bridge was built in 1923 not much earlier as the Mother Road was born. James Barney Marsh bridge designer from state of Iowa planned this 130 foot Arch designed bridge in 1912.
RIVERTON
The Williams’ Store was opened in 1925 by Leo Williams, and served the locals and travelers trough decades. In the 1970s the Eisler family purchased it and its became the oldest continuously operating store on Route 66. Today its still serves groceries, sandwiches and souvenirs.,
BAXTER SPRINGS
Independent Oil and Gas Service Station is worth to swing by.
OKLAHOMA
TULSA, OKLAHOMA CITY, EL RENO,
TULSA
Oklahoma has those loooooong drives, that I loved. Many people think it’s boring, but I think it was cool, because the original route was wavy back then. They didn’t made it straight like today’s highways, it was up and down for many, many, many miles. Oklahoma has more original and still-driveable miles of Route 66 than any other state and takes great pride in this heritage. Finally I visited Tulsa, which I wanted to see long time by now, and I really liked it. But we couldn’t stay we had to reach Oklahoma City.
Tulsa has a lot on Route 66. Also have different interesting sites, that would worth see if your around. Such as the Praying hands at Oral Robert University. Also has a Route 66 park here ands a 190 feet tall oil derrick for the message how much oil were taken from Tulsa land.
OKLAHOMA CITY
Milk Bottle Grocery opened its doors to its customers in 1930. Today its a very unique attraction of the Route 66 travelers. Oklahoma City National Memorial is one of the sad part of the memorials on this route. in 1995 was bombing the Murray federal building and 168 people died here including 19 children. For their memory got 168 empty chair in the yard off the federal building.
EL RENO
In 1988 they were shoot the Rain Man with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. In one of the scene they renting the room 117 in the Big 8$ Motel, Amarillo’s Best, and actually That was the Big Motel in EL Reno. Just about 15 miles from Oklahoma City. The Motel later was sold and the new management renamed to DeLux Inn but the new name didn’t save the motel from demolition. The original address is 1705 East 66th Highway, El Reno, OK
CLINTON, ARCADIA, HYDRO
CLINTON
I stopped at at the Route 66 Museum, and I have to tell you its a place that if you missed that you will regret forever. This museum takes you back into the old age of US as you walk room to room. Its probably the best RT66 museum on the entire route. You can tour trough time with listening music of the area. Each room is an area of the Route 66 with vintage cars and artifact, photos from the Mother Road. I’ve seen it multiple times but never gets old.
The Trade Winds Inn. This is the motel that Elvis Parsley used times to time when he had to drive between Las Vegas and Memphis. His usual rooms was #215. To preserve his memory, they kept de decoration in this room that includes black Naugahyde fainting couch/Fold-A-Bed combo, green pile carpeting and the fixtures from the golden era. unfortunately the motel waiting to be demolished. This wasn’t the only motel Elvis slept on RT66, sometimes he was sleeping in Shamrock, TX.
ARCADIA
Pops is a new attraction, nothing to do with the old Route 66 but a very nice unique attraction that much worth the time to stop here, especially in the sunset. The 66 foot tall retro LED-lit soda pop sculpture opened in 2007 and probably one of the most -if not the most- interesting attraction of the mother road today. The colorful lights of the the soda bottle is constantly changing-moving, and will make you want to take photos and videos of it. Inside the building you can shop gifts and food, that you can eat in the park behind the building. They serve food for the travelers, and of cores, 700 sodas on the menu.
HYDRO
Lucille’s Service Station and Roadhouse built in 1929 named after original owner Lucille Hamons. The original pumps still front of the building, you can take photos with it, but no longer serving gas.
COMMERCE, FOYIL, MIAMI, DAVENPORT, ELK CITY, WEATHERFORD, CLAREMORE, STROUD, TEXOLA
COMMERCE
Allen’s Conoco Fillin’ Station or known as Wall Conoco -Phillips Station is opened around 1930. It’s called ConocoPhillips Philip because originally served ConocoPhillips gas than in 1938 switched to serve Philips 66 gas to its customers. The gas stations that back in the days served gas to Bonnie and Clyde, today serves souvenirs for its customers.
FOYIL
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park not exactly on the RT66 but 3.5 miles off from the “Mains Street of America”. First it’s opened in 1937 and closed 1961. It was restored from 1988 to 1998. The place serves Native American items, images. The park’s largest totem poll is 60 feet tall. It’s about 4 miles off the Route 66.
MIAMI
Ribbon Road is still drivable down a narrow (9food wide) stretch of the 1920s road between Afton and Miami OK.
DAVENPORT
Tallest Mural on 66 painted ona wall
ELK CITY
World tallest non operating oil rig.
GEARY
The Canadian River Bridge was built in 1933 and with its 3/4 mile length exactly 3944.33 feet (1203 m) is the longest bridge on the Mother Road.
WEATHERFORD
The Porter House Diner an original Valentine diner, where Elvis Presley dined back in the days and left an autograph in the guest book. The diner closed long time ago, and moved in to the local America Heritage Museum. PH: 1-417-532-3111 Address: 1336 Rte 66, Lebanon, MO 65536
CLAREMORE
The birthplace of Will Rogers.
STROUD
In 1939 Rock cafe was opened, in 1999 an F3 tornado damaged the iconic neon sign. 2008 a fire destroyed the cafe, but the owner restored it and today still surfing Buffalo Burger and Chicken Fried Stakes. Sally Carrera The animated movie character from Cars was modeled after the Dawn Welch the owner of Rock Cafe.
TEXOLA
After many tiny town, like Sayre, Elk City, and so on, we have arrived to Texola, which isn’t a town, not probably a village, almost ghost town, that features a One Room Jail and Class of ’38 Memorial. The jail is open you can get inside. A road site monument on the west side of town. It is a a very interesting part of the Will Rodger Hwy you can cross the border to Texas.
Before the border I found a very original path of the RT66 which inst drivable anymore. But I did drive it anyway. The trees grew in, sometimes I had to get out from the car and move the branches, its still scratch the car but I just did not care. Form me it was like I found gold. That how much I wanted to go on the very original road. The real RT66. It was the most exciting part of the entire route.
TEXAS
AMARILLO and the CADDILAC RANCH
I’ve been in this section many times of the RT66 but I always find something new here. Here is two stamping places and I recommend both places to stop. The one is the RT66 Visitor Center and the other is the Texas Ivy Antiques & Gifts. Leaving Amarillo soon you would pass the Cadillac Ranch. This is one of the most fun place on the entire route. There is about 10 Cadillacs buried half way into the ground. I’ve been here so many times, because it’s just cool. I visited this place day time and nights, when is no lights at all. Absolutely love it. If you decide you want to leave your mark here, you can, you can spray on those cars but about a couple hours later, I’ll be gone, will be over painted.
Big Texan Steak Ranch is a great place to stop. It’s lot more than a restaurant, its a huge gift shop, and also a very interesting very unique Big Texan Motel. It’s opened in 1960, and they serve a 72 ounce steak. Diners got one hour to finish a 4.5 pound steak with sides. Its easy to find from it vivid yellow color.
McLEAN, ADRIAN, CONWAY, GROOM, SHAMROCK
McLEAN
I made a small stop in town, noting important to mention.
ADRIAN
I love this place. Here is the midpoint of RT66, and you can find a diner here, the Midpoint Cafe that served as inspiration as Flo’s V8 Cafe in the animated movie Cars. People who work here really nice and kind. Across the diner there is a monument you want to take photo with and a line across the road. It really nice here. Spend some time and you were able to read and leave messages on the old car that parks at the neighbor house. In 2023 that car was towed. Adrian claims the title of the midpoint of the Mother Road so the town of Vega. They both right, depends which ALT of Route 66 you drive on. However, everyone is accepting Adrian as the midpoint, probably because it has its own midpoint attraction that convenient and looks pretty good. At Adrian midpoint you are equally far from Chicago and Lois Angeles, exactly 1,139 miles from both cities.
CONWAY: VW Slug Bug Ranch
I founded by totally accidentally, but i loved it so much i spent quieter some time here. Behind an old ruined gas station and and a long time abounded building i found this VW bug ranch. It was built in the idea of the famous Cadillac ranch but I loved this way more. The idea is the same, but its so abounded i just feel the loneliness in this place, that the nature want to regain this area. Th gas station got about 3-4 feet tall grass all over and old cars left behind. I list fell in love with the image of this place and immediately became one of my favorite stop on RT66.
GROOM
The home of the famous Leaning Tower. Ralph Britten, a Truck-stop owner created this unique attraction to drum up business. The tower slants at an 80-degree angle. Back in the days, people stopped at the truck stop and wanted the owner of the falling tower, who played along and invited people for a sandwich. Unfortunately the truck stop is long gone, it burned down, but Britten’s unique attraction survived and gives a good laugh of travelers passing by. Leaving Groom yo can a see a 190 feet tall white cross nerd Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the bottom of the cross on the open field, there are statuses and crosses.
SHAMROCK
Elvis stayed in the Route 66 motel and dined across the street at The old Conoco gas station and U-Drop Inn. They say at the corner table ate Elvis when he stayed at the Route 66 motel. The U-Drop Inn is one of the Route 66 attractions that gave inspiration for the animators of the cartoon Cars. The building have a very interesting look. I always step by when I’m around.
NEW MEXICO
I believe the feeling of RT66 is tart to changing in Texas, and in New Mexico is a totally different feeling already compare to Oklahoma, or Missouri.
GLENRIO, SANTA ROSA, TUCUMCARI, CLINES, ALBAQUERQUE
GLENRIO
One time in the golden era its was a nice little town today it is a ghost town. Here is motel that right on the border and its half way in Texas other half is in Mexico.
SANTA ROSA
This small town seen better years, but its has a natural wonder that people used for decades. Santa Rosas’s Blue Hole is a 81 feet deep natural sinkhole with sapphire-colored water witch served as a fishery in the 1930s. In the 1970s its became a recreation area and these days is a popular spot swimmers. The water about 60 degrees and fed by network of artesian springs and gets its water to the Pecos River.
TUCUMCARI
Tucumcari is a old town on RT66, interesting, but not the nice town, but interesting. There is a few iconic motels in town that you should see, such as the Camel, or the Blue Swallow Motel which was in the movie “Cars”. You can continue driving from here without turn back to the highway, which is great. At the edge of the town, you can see a RT66 monument which is pretty interesting.
Blue Swallow Motel was built in 1939 and still operating with fully restored but stay in style rooms. this place is probably the only motel left that still brings the feeling of the golden era. The neon lights, outside music from the heyday makes you feel you’re back in the 50s, 60s or 70s. Almost each room has its own garage as it use to be back in the days. Travelers who rents the room here, bribing chairs outside and sits front their room and enjoy the vibe.
Tee Pee Curios 1940s colorful concrete Teepee style gas station turned into a gift shop.
CLINES
Clines Corners Retail Center is opened 1934 and still in operation today.
ALBAQUERQUE, GALLUP
ALBAQURQUE
66 Diner use to be a gas station and it turned into a restaurant in 1987. The diner takes you back in time to the golden era. The classic design completed with vintage juckebox and traditional soda fountain. The guest can see one of the largest PEZ collection in US.
Madonna of the Trail.. Basically its about 12 statuses dedicated to those woman who moved to west with children onm the National Old Trail Road for hoping a better life.
The KiMo Theater in downtown Albuquerque was built in 1927. It has its own kind of style but also it was built in the extravagant Art Deco–Pueblo Revival Style. The building decorative motifs from indigenous cultures, its just a stunning building. Unfortunately it was closed the time I was around but its way worth the stop.
Wall of sign just another kick on the road. It’s called New Mexico Route 66 Association.
GALLUP
El Rancho Hotel built in 1936 and its served for Hollywood films and party’s for the stars back in the 1930s and 40s. John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart stayed here. The rooms names named after the stars who stayed in the very same room. The hotel itself were part of many movies as well.
Another giant on the top of the dealership called muffler man,.
Navajo coadtalkers museum. North worth the stop.
When you drive westbound on the ride side of the I-40 you can see train tracks. About 100 yards behind it another road come parallel with I-40 and the tracks, and that is the original Route 66.
SANTA FEE, LOS ALAMOS, CUBERO, MESITA,ZUNI PUEBLO, GLORIETA, GRANTS
SANTA FEE
The original route was passing by Las Vegas NM and Santa Fe. In this great city /**The Route 66 original alignment went trough Las Vegas and Santa Fe in NM. But an irate governor re-routed it to bypass them in 1937 to punish politicians in Santa Fe. /**
San Miguel Chapel was built about 1610, and probably the oldest church in the entire country that still standing and operating.
LOS ALAMOS
El Ray Motel is one of the continuously open motel along RT66
CUBERO
Another Trading Post, which is typical in New Mexico. It was built in 1937 and never been closed. It has a local story, in the early 1950s Earnest Hemingway was passing trough and stayed here for a while and he wrote “The Old Man and the Sea” in the cafe across the street.
MESITA
Not a well-known town but back in the golden era it was a well feared name. Why? Because the Mother Road had a very hard stretch here, another dead man’s curve. Toward the town Laguna had a sharp loop where the road turns 270 degrees. The road let north and turn 90 degrees, then drive east another 90 degrees to drive north again and you run into another 90 degrees to head west.
ZUNI PUEBLO
Zuni Pueblo, not far, just south of RT66 was the very first place where Europeans and Native Americans met for the first time in 1540. Later, when it became a part of US, Lt Edward Fitzgerald “Ned” Beale let an expedition to survey the area to find the place that could be possible wagon road that would connect California with New Mexico. Lt. Fitzgerald used imported camels from Tunis for pack animals because it was much better than mules or horses. The Lutennant was able to find the way to build the wagon road by following the 35th parallel. This wagon road became the part of the Route 66.
GLORIETA
The decisive American Civil Ware Glorieta Pass Battle was fought on what is now rt66 in NM. Glorieta is a small populated area in Santa Fe County, NM. It is located 5 miles west of Glorieta along NM-50 and I-25, just to the south, the union and Confederate forces fought a battle in Glorieta in 1862. The town originally called La Glorieta 1875-1880.
GRANTS
Sands Motel, where Elvis Presley stayed
ARIZONA
ARIZONA AND THE MONUMENT VALLEY
I had to see it. Monument Valley is America most iconic scenery. It’s a part of the American Culture now. I had a the most best time her on the entire route. Do not pass by without see it. You can read about this part under the NATURE/MONUMENT VALLEY blog.
HOLBROOK, WILLIAMS
HOLBROOK
This town have a very interesting site, the Wigwam motel #6. Unfortunately its not in a good shape as its match in California but i would stop here. Chester E Lewis when he was in Kansas he got charmed by wighwam villages and in 1950 he opened his own wigwam motel, that looked like a small Native village.
Beside the Teepee form concrete motel rooms also you can see cars from the 40s to the 70s, and a huge log of petrified forest. Don’t be surprised if you’re here, because its really close to petrified forest National Park, which is contains a part of the original route of the Mother Road. The Lewis family still runs the motel. Romo’s Restaurant: once you’re in Holbrook you should pass by Romo’s Mexican-American restuirant and see the pick building with neon light. The restaurant opened in 1969 and still serving the travelers and locals.
WILLIAMS and the GRAND CANYON
Williams is one of my favorite places on RT66 and also when I just visit the Grand Canyon, or Sedona or just traveling trough I always stop here. Here is may favorite restaurant as well. . I rented a hotel here, and visited my favorite restaurant the Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe. I visit this place for years, and I brought many people here. Groups. But….Unfortunately in this trip the waitress charged my tip twice, what made me furious, it’s never happened before not here, not anywhere else. These waitresses were new, never seen them before, and I hope they will change their attitude, otherwise I will stop visiting this restaurant, I will take my business somewhere else. I definitely love their food, especially the meet is great here, because thy smoke it right here outside of the restaurant. The inside of the restaurant is just awesome. You must see it, and they have a huge gift shop as well. The entire town is about RT66 because its the original route and the town is renovated, its gorgeous. Also I visited the Grand Canyon, I always do when I’m around.
SELIGMAN, KINGMAN
SELIGMAN
After Ashfork, which was really not a town to mention, you can have a nice break off from the highway. Seligman is a great little town, with lots of gift shops. I recommend the Roadkill Cafe/ OK Saloon and gift shop to visit and eat here. I loved it. Also the gift shops are interesting in town and I fund the gift shop where the owner is a fellow Hungarian. In the back there was a photo of the Lake Balaton which is the biggest lake in Hungary and we started to talk about it and turned out his parents were Hungarians.
Once you leave SELIGMAN you will drive trough Peach Springs, Truxton, Valentine, Antares and finally you will reach Kingman.
KINGMAN
Kingman is a pretty large city, you can find everything here you need. Large shopping area to restaurants and more. On Andy Devine avenue you can find a big RT66 plate that basically a gate, you can drive trough it and take photos with is. Awesome.
Kingman secretly have a very interesting motel, that not too many people knows about who passes by on Route 66. This is the El Trovatore motel that was built in 1937 started as a service station owned by John F. Miller. Two years later in 1939 turned into a motel, and it was cost $3/ night. The motel was pretty modern back at the time, since it was the first motel with air conditioning, that later brought stars like Clark Cable, Jane Russel, James dean and Marilyn Monroe. Ms. Monroe rented the room 108, and today her name is on the door, dedicated this room for her. In the parking lot you can see a huge Route 66 sign painted on the ground, and murals all over the motel. There is an interesting twist, the owner of the hotel, John F. Miller was the very first hotel owner in Las Vegas the Sal Sagev (Las Vegas backwards) hotel. That’s probably gone but El Trovatore still open and you can rent room 108, Marilyn Monroe’s room. Address: 1440 E Andy Devine Avenue (AKA Route 66) in Kingman, Arizona.
OATMAN, GOLDEN SHORES & TOPOK
OATMAN
After leaving Kingman, toward to Oatman was a very interesting drive. As you getting close to town, the road gets more and more interesting. Also we met a few burrows on the road. They coming to your car for food, however yo not suppose to feed them. Also the town are has many of these animals and they are very friendly. Long tome go it was a mining town, and when the miners left they left the burrows behind and this is the reason to find them allover the place. It was dark by the time I reached the town so I rented a room in Laughlin just above Bullhead City. I recommend you to stay at Laughlin its way much better than Bullhead City. I had a room in a Hotel Casino and it was great, however its was dusty, as the wind blows dust daytime, its get there everywhere. Laughlin is in California, Bullhead City is in Arizona and the Colorado river between them as a natural border. The hotel had a beach in the Colorado River that was beautiful, but I decided not to use it, just get a good sleep tonight.
Next morning I drove back to Oatman to see the town, and it worth the revisit. This town is frozen in time, and I have to tell you not to come early morning. It was a mistake, because everything is opens late. You can see here old mineshaft, the jail was a piece f metal box out on the sun, and on the wood decks burrows were walking. I spent a few hours here to shop and explore the town and I continued to drive to California. On the road I met more burrows and as I left the area there were no more friendly animals.
GOLDEN SHORES & TOPOK
These two towns are built together. I fund a very good restaurant fro breakfast by the side of the road. Absolutely loved it, and it was good to get in to the air conditioned restaurant because the heat was bad that day. As we ate, couple of people started to talk to us, and they were real really nice fellas. They invited us to take us into the desert with they special desert vehicles, but unfortunately we didn’t to have time for it. But they explained that after Catfish Paradise we have to go on I 40 to cross the Colorado River, but we can see the original route 66 was broken up and that is the place that was in the movie “Cars”. Such a nice people.
CALIFORNIA
Before you crossing Arizona/California border, you can have a little fun by drive down to Lake Havasu. In this brand new city, you can find a nice River Walk, and crossing the London Bridge, other side of the bridge there is a very nice park to hang out. A nice walking trail by the lake with small lighthouses in the shadow of palm trees. you can even get into the water, or just rent a motorboat.
on the broadwalk there are stores, giftshops, bars and restaurant and a couple of ice cream factory. Its just a great place to be at.
NEEDLES, GOFFS, SAN BERDARDINO
NEEDLES
Almost right after the border, there is a small town Needles. Here I stopped at t he Wagon Wheel restaurant for stamps, but they were very rude so I decide just the stamp and no gift or food, it was feel like we are not welcomed here. So we left right away.
GOFFS
After the cold and unwelcoming Wagon and wheel restaurant our next stop was the Goff’s Schoolhouse where the US Army use to camp. It was interesting, learned a bit about the history here and we continued toward to LA. At Fenner we crossed the highway and continued to drive on the original route, which led us into the desert. Here we stopped at an old dead Volcano NM, walked a bit around and continued the road in the desert but it was closed. Se we had to return. We saw a family at a broke down Motor home on he way here and we have stopped. It turned out this nice German family somehow they got locked out from the motor home and they were waiting for the fire department n the hot desert with they baby. So we gave them water changed numbers and we left. Next day they told me the fire department never came to help, so they had to break into the motor home.
SAN BERNARDINO
At Barstow the RT66 takes a turn to the South to a town that I always wanted to visit. San Bernardino a city that I still cant pronounce right, is the home of the very first McDonald’s so I stopped by. As I was taking photos another Hungarian family cam by. What a coincidence. From here we continued to drive the Wigwam Motel, which is the part of the “cars” film, and much much better than the other one in Arizona. Its just a nice motel with a nice owner.
LOS ANGELES, HOLLYWOOD, SANTA MONICA
LOS ANGELES
The city of angles is always good to visit. Not my favorite place, but I visited some part that I haven’t seen before. I visited the Hollywood sign, again, the Hollywood Boulevard again, and the Santa Monica pier is the end of RT66. On the dock there is a small pavilion with the sing of the End of the road, and the person in it was so nice. I purchased the Completion of the road 66 letter for $10 and they gave us the last stamp, which was hand drawing. From here I went to Venice beach, I never been there and it was a great experience. Next day I started with Peterson car museum, only because its was my son’s wish to see it. Wasn’t bad at all, and then I hit the road to Palm Spring, to spend another 3 week sin the desert, but this is going to be another story.
