Route 66 from Bloomington to Springfield
| Route 66 Across Illinois |
| Chicago to Bloomington |
| Bloomington to Springfield |
| Springfield to St. Louis |
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The Mother Road in Illinois
Route 66 was one of the United States' first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.
"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
The beginning point for a Route 66 road trip could be either Chicago or Los Angeles, depending on the direction of the trip. Most travelers seem to start their journey on Route 66 in Chicago, and head westbound, the direction taken by those leaving the Dust Bowl and those seeking a new life in the West. That is the direction we take on this website.
Chicago: The Route Begins
Illinois was the first of the eight states through which Route 66 passed to have its segment of U.S. 66 paved, at a time when much of the route across the country was still a gravel or dirt road. Illinois Route 66 took over Illinois State Highway 4, a pre-existing, fully paved two-lane road between Chicago and St. Louis.
Historic Route 66 spanned 301 miles in Illinois, traversing mostly level terrain.
The beginning point of Route 66 in Chicago has changed over the years. Today, the starting point is at East Adams Street at South Michigan Avenue, and the end point is at East Jackson at South Michigan. One way streets in the area can be difficult to navigate for first-time Route 66 visitors!
From Chicago, Route 66 traveled through a number of cities and small towns, including Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington and Springfield.
Illinois, Land of Lincoln ... Where the Road Begins Read more about the Route 66 license program at IllinoisRoute66.org |
Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 from Bloomington to Springfield
Alignments varied over time
Highlights from Bloomington to Springfield on Route 66 in Illinois
There are literally dozens, really hundreds, or interesting stops along Route 66 in Illinois. We have presented on this page some of the more well-known and popular destinations on the Route from Bloomington-Normal to Springfield, seen as one travels from north to south. The distance from Bloomington to Springfield is about 65-70 miles, depending on which alignments you choose to explore ... enjoy the road trip!
Normal, IllinoisCirca 1931 Sprague's Super Service and its large, unique, brick, two-story Tudor Revival architecture is a popular stop on Route 66. Visit Ryburn Place Gifts & Gab at 305 Pine Street in Normal, a former Route 66 segment. |
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Bloomington - Normal, Illinois
The Bloomington - Normal area is located in the heart of Illinois, at the intersections of 39, 55 and 74 and within two hours of Chicago and St. Louis. It features a number of Route 66 attractions. Be sure to check out the "Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center"! For more information, visit the website of the |
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McLean, IllinoisThe Village of McLean was laid out in 1855, and was located on early alignments of Route 66. Today, Mother Road travelers enjoy a stop at the McLean Depot & Visitor Center (see photos below). Other popular local destinations include the Dixie Travel Plaza, the oldest truck stop in Illinois, a "Home on the Road", established by J.P. Walters and John Geske in 1928, and the Playable Arcade Museum.
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Atlanta, IllinoisShops, cafes, attractions and the famous Paul Bunyon Hotdog Statue! Standing 19 feet tall and clutching a giant hot dog, this Paul Bunyon statue (not “bunyan” - purposely spelled with an “o”). It is one of Illinois Route 66’s famous "Muffler Man" Statues, joining others like the Gemini Giant in Wilmington and the Lauterbach Giant in Springfield. Bunyon's statue is located in Atlanta at 112 SW Arch Street, across from the Palms Grill Café, which features fine fare from The Mother Road’s golden age. |
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| Atlanta, Illinois ... "Midway on Illinois' Mother Road" mural | |
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Lincoln, IllinoisThe Lincoln Heritage Museum has a vast collection and Immersion Tour which allows guests to travel back in time with Abraham Lincoln. It includes rare items like Abraham Lincoln's law books, furniture from the Lincoln home, Mary Todd's jewelry, and much more. For more information, visit the website of Lincoln Heritage Museum The Mill Museum on Route 66The Mill was opened in 1929 in Lincoln, Illinois as The Blue Mill, on what was first known as Route 4 (old Route 66). The construction of the building was Dutch-themed, and painted white with blue trim and featured a revolving windmill that lit up. Many people know it as the “Home of the Schnitzel”. It is located at 738 S. Washington Street in Lincoln. For more information, phone 217.735.1218 or visit the website of The Mill Museum on Route 66 |
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Elkhart, IllinoisElkhart is famous for its unusual landscape - a tree covered hill that rises 777 feet above sea level, surrounded by a horizon of flat Illinois prairie land. Settled in 1855, Lincoln and Lincoln-era political figures populate Elkhart’s history. Be sure to view the newly created Historic Wall Mural commemorating the village of Elkhart and its long association with Route 66. The colorful hand-painted mural measures 36 feet long by 8 feet high and depicts historic figures of the village and The Mother Road. |
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Williamsville, IllinoisThe Golden Years ... Doing Business on "Main Street" |
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The Golden Years ... Doing Business on Main Street |
The Old Station on Route 66 in Williamsville |
Springfield, IllinoisSpringfield has lots to see for Route 66 travelers, from the Lincoln Presidential Museum to the State Capitol and so much more. For more information on area tourism ... Springfield Convention & Visitor Bureau website Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois |
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Abraham Lincoln Home |
Lauterbach Giant |
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Phillips 66 Station at Fulgenzi's Pizza |
Route 66 Drive In ... Springfield, Illinois |
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Dana Thomas House by Frank Lloyd Wright |
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Cozy Dog Drive InThe Cozy Dog Drive-In is home of the original hot dog on a stick, dipped in batter and deep friend. It has been owned and operated by the Ed Waldmire family on famous Route 66 in Springfield, since 1949. Located at 2935 South Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62703. Read more about the Cozy Dog Drive In |
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Motorheads Bar, Grill and MuseumMotorheads is located at 600 Toronto Road in Springfield. Read more about Motorheads |
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Lodging and Travel Options in Springfield
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More Information about Illinois Route 66 |
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| Route 66 Across Illinois |
| Chicago to Bloomington |
| Bloomington to Springfield |
| Springfield to St. Louis |
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Earlier Times: Vintage Views along Route 66 in Illinois
We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Illinois and Route 66. What was Route 66 like in its earlier years, as visitors drove around and across Illinois? What did all the service stations, motels and public buildings look like when they were new? What did the traveling public experience on the Mother Road? We wonder such things when we travel Route 66 today. Those earlier times in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were not always captured on film. But the use of colorful postcards was common in those decades. These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize, and appreciate, "earlier times" as we drive Route 66 today across Illinois. |
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Road Trip Travel Guides for Various States Along Route 66
Need help and ideas when planning your road trip on Route 66? Here are travel guides and reviews by state ...
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