Route 66 Road Trip to Lincoln, Illinois

Route 66 information kiosk in Lincoln, 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, Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington and Lincoln.

Lincoln, Illinois

The City of Lincoln is the county seat of Logan County, Illinois. First settled in the 1830s, it is the only city in the United States that was named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president. Lincoln practiced law there from 1847 to 1859. It has a population of over 13,000 residents.

Lincoln was located directly on U.S. Route 66 from 1926 through 1978. Today, it lies along Interstate I-55. It is about 170 miles southwest of Chicago, and 130 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri.

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


Lincoln Heritage Museum

The 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

Lincoln Heritage Museum in Illinois

The Mill Museum on Route 66

The 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

The Mill Museum on Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois
Sign at the Mill Museum on Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 Roadside Attraction: The Mill Museum on Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois


Railsplitter Covered Wagon

The Railsplitter Covered Wagon honors Abraham Lincoln in the only town named for him before he became president. It holds the Guinness World Record as the world's largest covered wagon. A statue of Abe Lincoln reading a law book sits in the huge wooden wagon, which stands 24 feet tall.

It is located at 1750 5th Street, facing Route 66, in Lincoln IL 62656.

Railsplitter Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois Route 66 Roadside Attraction: Railsplitter Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Illinois

Logan County Visitor Center & Historic Train Depot

The Logan County Tourism Bureau/Visitor Center is positioned in Downtown Lincoln at the Historic Train Depot. The Depot was built in 1911 by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. It acted as a train station until most of the building was closed to the public in 1972. The depot is now lovingly restored and back in public use.

The Lincoln Depot train station is located in the connecting building to the Visitor Center and is remains an active stop for Amtrak travelers.

It is located 101 North Chicago Street, Lincoln IL 62656

For more information, visit the website of Logan County Visitor Center

And while in Lincoln, be sure to check out City Hall, built in 1895. It has a telephone booth on the roof used by weather spotters to phone in oncoming storms. Before the days of weather radar! City Hall is located at 700 Broadway Street downtown.

Logan County Tourism Bureau
Logan County Tourism Bureau in Lincoln, Illinois
Historic Train Depot
Historic Train Depot in Lincoln, Illinois
Logan County Courthouse
Logan County Courthouse in Lincoln, Illinois
Postville Courthouse
State Historic Site
Postville Courthouse State Historic Site in Lincoln, Illinois
Lincoln City Hall
Phone booth on roof!
City Hall in Lincoln, Illinois, with a telephone booth on the roof!


Lodging, Dining and Attractions in the Lincoln Area

TripAdvisor

Lincoln Travel Guide at TripAdvisor

Hotels in Lincoln with traveler reviews at TripAdvisor

Lincoln restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor

Attractions and Things to Do in Lincoln


Interactive Map of Lincoln Illinois


More Information about Lincoln & Illinois Route 66

Lincoln - Logan County Tourism Bureau

 

City of Lincoln, Illinois website

 

Logan County Illinois

 

Lincoln, Illinois Weather at WeatherUnderground

 

Lincoln Travel Guide at TripAdvisor: Hotels, restaurants, things to do

 

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway

 

Route 66 Association of Illinois


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