Illinois Route 66 - Traveling the Mother Road in Illinois

LEGENDARY ROUTE 66

Illinois Route 66 Main Page

For the most part, Illinois Route 66 glides evenly and easily through the State in a diagonal direction between Chicago and St. Louis. Generally, it follows I-55, but, there are several alignments that zig-zag over, under, and parallel the interstate.

In the Land of Lincoln, the path begins near the shore of Lake Michigan. Connecting the Midwest with the golden state of California, the road from Chicago originally followed State Route 4 from Chicago to East St. Louis. This original piece of gravel road was built before Route 66 even existed and was first called the Pontiac Trail in 1915.

Enjoy your journey through the Land of Lincoln.

Westbound on Route 66:

About Illinois Route 66

66 Alignments in Illinois

Chicago - The Route 66 Journey Begins

Romeo and Juliet of the Plains

Ghosts of the Rialto Theatre

Wilmington - Home of the Gemini Giant

Coal Mining Towns Along the Mother Road

Braidwood

Braceville

Gardner

Dwight - Not Just A Bump In The Road

Odell - Small Town Charm on Route 66

Pontiac - City of Swinging Bridges

Chenoa, Lexington & Towanda - More Small Town Charm on Route 66

Normal and Bloomington - Heart of Illinois

Shirley and Funks Grove - Maple Sirup Country

McLean and Atlanta - Villages Along Route 66

Lincoln, Illinois - Abe's Namesake Town

Lincoln's Stomping Grounds on Route 66

Broadwell

Elkhart

Williamsville

Springfield - Home of Honest Abe

Ghosts of Historic Springfield

Haunted Inn at 835

Pre-1930 Segment of Route 66 - Chatham to Staunton

Chatham - Small Town Charm in a Springfield Burb

Auburn - Home of Brick 66

Thayer - Working the Northern Mines

Virden and the Coal Mine Wars

Girard - Still Keepin' the Pace

Litchfield - Route 66 Proud!

Mt. Olive, Illinois - More Coal on Route 66

Staunton and Henry's Ra66it Ranch

Thayer - Working the Northern Mines

Edwardsville and the Farm Country of Southern Illinois

Leaving the Land of Lincoln via Mitchell

Off the Path:

Cahokia Mounds – The Largest Archaeological Site in America

Get Saucy in Collinsville

The Castle Car Wash in Chicago, washed it's last car

a long time ago, September, 2004, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

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Cozy Drive In Springfield, Illinois

Cozy Drive In, Springfield, Illinois, September, 2004,

Kathy Weiser

About Illinois Route 66

Return to Route 66

You're At the Beginning!

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Route 66 Apparel - From T-Shirts to Hoodies, to aprons, hats and more, you'll find a wide variety of great Route 66 clothing here. These are exclusively designed products just for the Rocky Mountain General Store. You can't find them anywhere else! Watch as we expand the number of designs in this department. Click HERE to see them all!