Route 66 Road Trip to Gardner, Illinois

Route 66 was one of the United State's 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.

Most travelers seem to start their journey on Route 66 in Chicago, and head westbound. That is the direction we take on this website.

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!

Once outside the metropolitan Chicago area, Route 66 followed the Pontiac Trail, a former Indian trail and stagecoach road.

From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest to Romeoville and Joliet, and then on to Wilmington, Braidwood and Gardner.

Route 66 signs near downtown Gardner, Illinois

Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 in Illinois and the location of Gardner
Map showing the location of Gardner, Illinois on Historic Route 66

Perkins Wood and Glass ... The Shop on Route 66 A popular stop for those travelers on Route 66 between Chicago and Bloomington is this cute shop in Gardner. It offers a wide variety of gifts and Americana, and several popular "photo ops" around the charming red building! Located at 315 North Center Street in Gardner. Phone 815.237.0068 For more information and photos, visit Perkins Wood & Glass The Shop on Facebook



The Streetcar Diner In 1932 a 20th century Kankakee horse-drawn streetcar was moved to Gardner to operate as a diner. The streetcar became a cottage and playhouse in 1937. It was moved behind the Riviera Restaurant in 1955, but was relocated to its current location in Gardner following the fire that destroyed the Riviera in 2010. Later it was restored by the Route 66 Association of Illinois, and has become a popular stop for Route 66 travelers in Illinois. The diner is located at 206 N Center Street, at the corner of Center Street and Mazon Street. The diner is not open to the public; you can view the interior and mural through the windows, but you cannot go inside to eat or explore.

Two Cell Jail Adjacent to the diner is the famous "Two Cell Jail" built in 1906. Be sure to venture inside for a great photo op!