Trip on Route 66 to Springfield, Illinois
 The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield |
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, Wilmington, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Bloomington, Lincoln and Springfield. The segment from Chicago to Springfield is roughly a 2.5 hour drive.
Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County, and home to over 115,000 residents. The most famous historic resident was Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Springfield from 1837 until 1861, when he was elected President and moved to Washington, D.C.
Visitors can tour the house where Lincoln lived, the Lincoln Tomb State Historical Site, the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and the Illinois State Capitol Building. The Lincoln Train Station and Springfield Union Station are also popular attractions as is the Dana Thomas house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1904.
The city of Springfield operates a Visitors Center on the first floor of the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office across from the Old State Capitol.
Leaving Springfield, Route 66 traversed Litchfield, Staunton and Hamel, and then continued on to the Chain of Rocks Bridge at St. Louis, where it turned west through Rolla, Springfield, Joplin and into Kansas and Oklahoma.
Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 in Illinois and the location of Springfield
Lodging and Travel Options in Springfield
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Photo Highlights of Road Trips to Springfield
Lauterbach Giant on display at 1569 Wabash Avenue in Springfield |
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Union Station in Springfield |
Route 66 Drive In ... Springfield, Illinois |
Cozy Dog Drive InHome of the original hot dog on a stick, dipped in batter and deep friend. Owned and operated by the Ed Waldmire family on famous Route 66 in Springfield, since 1949. Located at 2935 So. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62703. Read more at the website of 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 or Motorheads on Facebook. |
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| Many Route 66 travelers to Springfield over the years have known about two famous places in town: Shea's on Route 66, and Sonrise Donuts. Motorheads now features a replica of the front of Shea's, and one side of the Sonrise Donuts neon sign (the other side of the sign is located at the Ace Sign Company Museum, 2540 S. First Street in Springfield) | |
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Illinois State Fair Grounds
Route 66 ExperienceThis unique area is located at the Illinois State Fair Grounds in Springfield. It involves a walking tour that begins at the southernmost part of the route, at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, Illinois, and travels north through over 90 Illinois communities along The Mother Road and into Chicago. It also features a new Neon Sign Park. More information at the Visit Springfield Illinois website Route 66 Experience opens as State Fair approaches |
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| The Neon Park at the Route 66 Experience ... a visual treat, day and night! | |
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Lincoln Presidential LibraryOpened in 2005, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum has become a popular attraction for visitors to Springfield. The 200,000 square foot complex, which includes an Archive, Library and Museum, features public experiences, galleries and theater presentations. It is located at 112 North Sixth Street in Springfield. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library website
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Lincoln's Tomb
The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons. The Lincoln Tomb was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960; it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Construction of the Lincoln Monument began in 1868, and it was dedicated in 1874. It is located at 1500 Monument Avenue.
Lincoln Home National Historic SiteThe Lincoln Home National Historic Site preserves the home where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1844 to 1861, before becoming the 16th President of the United States. The site includes four blocks surrounding the home and a visitor center. The Visitor Center is located at 426 South Seventh Street. Street access to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site is restricted to pedestrian access only. Details, directions and hours at the Lincoln Home website at NPS Lincoln Home National Historic Site |
The Dana Thomas House, at 300 E Lawrence Avenue, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1904, in Springfield Illinois
Murals in Springfield, IllinoisThere are many excellent murals in Springfield, many dealing with Route 66, like the one shown below. To see other murals and get directions, visit Springfield Route 66 Mural Trail.
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The Stadium Smokehouse Bar & Grill in SpringfieldThe Stadium Smokehouse Bar & Grill is located at 2300 North Peoria Road in Springfield. In 2023, a new Route 66 mural was painted on the side of the building by artist Spencer Stokes @marsho217. Stadium Smokehouse Bar & Grill website and Stadium Smokehouse on Facebook Read more about other area outdoor art at VisitSpringfield
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Interactive Map of Springfield, Illinois
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Earlier Times: Vintage Views along Route 66 in Springfield
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. |
Lincoln Trail Motel |
Leonard's Modern Motel |
Springfield Motel |
Southern View Motel |
Poland's Motel |
Magnolia Court |
More Information About Springfield & Illinois Route 66
Springfield Convention & Visitor Bureau website
City of Springfield, Illinois website
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce website
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
Springfield Travel Guide at TripAdvisor: Hotels, restaurants, things to do