Illinois

Illinois Route 66: From Chicago to East St. Louis

Chicago Begin your Route 66 adventure at the official starting point in downtown Chicago at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue. Visit Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant, a beloved diner serving travelers since 1923, and explore historic sites like the Art Institute of Chicago or Grant Park before hitting the road.

Joliet Head south to Joliet, home of the Route 66 Welcome Center and the historic Rialto Square Theatre. Stop at the Joliet Area Historical Museum and snap a photo with the Blues Brothers statues on the front steps.

Wilmington In Wilmington, be sure to visit the Gemini Giant, a towering muffler man statue outside the Launching Pad Drive-In. The town also features vintage gas stations and great roadside photo ops.

Braidwood This small town is known for the Polk-a-Dot Drive-In, a classic Route 66 eatery with life-size statues of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and the Blues Brothers. It’s a fun and nostalgic place for a quick bite and a photo.

Dwight In Dwight, check out the restored Ambler-Becker Texaco Gas Station and the historic Oughton House. The town has a well-preserved downtown that makes for a pleasant stroll.

Pontiac Pontiac is packed with Route 66 attractions. Visit the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, see the Wall Dogs mural collection, and stop by the Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum. You can even stand on the giant Route 66 shield painted on the pavement downtown.

Bloomington-Normal While passing through this twin city, stop at Sprague’s Super Service, a historic gas station and garage now serving as a visitor center. Downtown Bloomington also offers antique shops and historic architecture.

Lincoln Famous for its giant Abraham Lincoln statues and Route 66 attractions, this town offers the World’s Largest Covered Wagon and a mural trail featuring Lincoln history. Stop by the Postville Courthouse for a slice of 19th-century Illinois justice.

Springfield In Illinois’ capital city, visit the Cozy Dog Drive-In, where the corn dog was popularized. Take time to explore the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Old State Capitol. Springfield has several vintage motels and neon signs along the route.

Litchfield Litchfield is home to the Ariston Café, one of the oldest restaurants on Route 66. Visit the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center to learn more about the road’s legacy.

Cahokia Mounds & East St. Louis Before crossing into Missouri, stop at Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving ancient Native American earthworks. In East St. Louis, view the old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a Route 66 landmark that spans the Mississippi River with a unique 22-degree bend.

Your Illinois Route 66 journey ends as you prepare to cross the river into Missouri, having followed the path of countless travelers before you on the legendary Mother Road.