Westbound • Turn by Turn • Chicago to Oklahoma State Line

Westbound (Illinois to California on Route 66 - Turn by Turn

From Chicago to Gardner

The start of Route 66 has moved a few times. Currently Adams Street at Michigan Avenue is the starting point. Until Jackson Boulevard became one way it was the Route 66 starting point. Some regard the Intersection of Jackson Blvd. and Lake Shore Dr. as the starting point also, and follow Jackson, turn right onto Michigan Av, and left onto Adams St.⁽¹⁾

The ending point on Jackson Blvd. is currently at Lake Shore Drive although it once was at Michigan Avenue. [changed in 1933 for the world exhibition, when Grant Park was constructed and Jackson Blvd. elongated.]. Jackson now is one way, east bound, so the beginning of Route 66 sign is on Adams street, just west of it's intersection with Michigan Ave.⁽²⁾

For purposes of these directions, the "start" is presumed to be on Adams Street, just west of Michigan Avenue, at the "Beginning of Route 66" sign.

Head west on Adams.

After crossing Ashland Avenue, turn Southwest (=left) onto Ogden Avenue.

Cicero

Berwyn

Lyons

In Lyons, turn south (=left) onto Harlem Avenue (SR 43), after about 0.5 mile, turn southwest (=right) onto Joliet Road. After passing the I294 (Tri State Tollway) Joliet road disappears under the I55, continue on the I55 southwest.

ALTERNATIVE 1 : The old way through Joliet. Exit I55 onto Joliet Road at exit 269. At exit 267 (locally known as Welco's Corner). After about 2.5 miles join the SR53 and continue southwest.

Bollingbrook

Follow SR53

Romeoville

Follow SR53

Joliet

Continue on SR53 which becomes a 4 lane at the exit of the town. Just north of Elwood, pass the bridge, 1.5 miles later, turn left and right to change from the 4 lane alignment to the older 2 lane alignment. Follow Manhattan Road, Mississippi Road and Elwood Road.

Elwood

Follow Douglas until it rejoins SR53 on the southern end of the town

ALTERNATIVE 2 : Following Interstate 55

One could stay onto the I55 and continue until Gardner or until the Wilmington exit. This way one would still be following the Route 66, but a later (less interesting) alignment. This deviation was created in 1940.

The I55 bypass of Plainfield had an older alignment using SR129 and SR59 to pass through Plainfield itself. When using SR129 to get from about Wilmington to Gardner, one would still be following one of the alignments of Route 66.

ALTERNATIVE END

Wilmington

Continue on SR53 through Wilmington, there is a right turn onto Baltimore Street.

Braidwood

Continue on SR53.

Godley

Continue on SR53.

Braceville

Continue on SR53.

Gardner

Continue on SR53. If coming from SR53: Right at Main street, left at second stop sign. At the intersection of SR129 and SR53 (both are Route 66 alignments), use the Frontage Road Southeast of I-55.

From Gardner to Bloomington

Route 66 is stuck between the I 55 and the railroad.

Dwight

The Marathon Oil Station is a well maintained Route 66 relic, constructed in 1932, and still intact. The city has also preserved a historic windmill in the city center.

There are thee options for passing Dwight:

4 lane detour

2 lane detour

straight through

take Dwight Rd. to SR47 South

when SR47 turns left, go straight to Waupansie St.

cross SR17 to old 66

at stop sign south of Dwight, turn Left.

Odell

Turn left on Odell Rd. into town

Cayuga

Pontiac

Before Pontiac: Meramec Caverns Barn 44/66 on the right hand side of the 4 lane road.

Alternative 1: Continue on the 4 lane road

Alternative 2: Left on Pontiac Rd., to Lincoln, to Ladd and then make a right turn onto Reynolds St. Rejoin the 4 lane at Reynolds and the 4 lane 66 (turn left(=South)) to . . .

Chenoa

Left on 3150 north, which turns into Morehead St. Turn right onto US25, then turn left onto 4 lane 66

Lexington

Towanda

Follow 66, at stop sign: South: the 4 lane 66, or right: I 55 to Bloomington.

Normal

Bloomington

Right on Pine, left to Linden, right to Willow, left onto Main Street. Right on Business 55 pass Morris Rd. First street past Parkway Inn, Right on Springfield Rd. left on Beich Rd., then Cross I-55. First Left (=still Beich).

From Bloomington to Springfield (IL)

Shirley

Funk's Grove

Founded in 1825 by Isaac Funk, actually very small as there were never more than 50 inhabitants.

McLean

Curve right onto E. Carlyle, left onto Main. Goto US 136

The first truck stop was founded here in 1928 by J.P. Waters and J.W. Geske. It is always open, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. It was closed only one day due to a fire. The Dixie Truckers Home features also the Hall of Fame⁽³⁾ of the Route 66 Association of Illinois..

Head west on US136 to the railroad tracks. Turn left before the tracks and head for Atlanta(IL).

Atlanta

Use Atlanta Rd.

Lawndale

Lincoln

While entering Lincoln, stay on your road or use Business Loop 55 through Lincoln. Lincoln is the only town named for Abraham Lincoln while he was still alive.

Sites:

The Tropics (eat)

The Mill (eat: famous for its schnitzel)

South of town, left on the Frontage Road

Broadwell

North of Broadwell, left at another Frontage Road sign

Site:

The Pig Hip used to be here (closed in '91 due to too much success!)

Elkhart

Sites:

F.L.Bears Truck Stop

House by the Side of the Road Restaurant

Williamsville

Turn right at the stop sign, Cross I55. Left onto Frontage Road. At the 3 way intersection: turn left, cross I55, first right follow through Sherman.

Sherman

Site:

* For about 6 miles, the first 4 lane portion of Route 66 straight through the town. 2 of the 4 lanes are closed now, but the effect is still visible.

Springfield

Abraham Lincoln lived here until he departed in 1861 for the White House. You can visit his home in the downtown area and New Salem is where he lived and worked before practicing law in Springfield proper. The Lincoln Tomb & Memorial is in Oakwood Cemetery.

Follow Business Loop 55 into Springfield.

Alternative 1: Left on Dirkson Pkwy. Right on Stevenson Dr. Left on Business Loop 55.

Alternative 2: Follow BL55 on Peoria Rd.

Site:

Marathon Station owned by Bill Shea

Cozy Drive Inn on 6th St.

Due to the different alternatives to go from Springfield to E. St. Louis, one has different options in Springfield itself.

Alternative End

From Springfield to Mitchell

Use SR4. After entering Springfield on BL55 (9th street), turn east onto South Grand then turn south onto Mac Arthur Blvd. Turn west on Wabash Avenue.(actually Mac Arthur Blvd. Blends into Wabash Av.) Turn south(=left) on Chatam Road(SR4). Go west on Spaulding Orchard Rd., then south onto SR4.

Chatman

Continue on SR4.

Auburn

Continue on SR4.

Thayer

Continue on SR4.

Virden

Continue on SR4.

Girard

Continue on SR4.

Nilwood

Continue on SR4.

Carlinville

Continue on SR4.

Gillespie

Continue on SR4.

Benld

Continue on SR4.

Sawyerville

Continue on SR4.

Staunton

Continue on SR4.

ALTERNATIVE 2 : 4 lane road Continue on BL55, use Chatam exit (exit 88), use western frontage road.

Glenarm

There is a route 66 alignment on the western side of I55. After Glenarm, turn at SR104, get on I55 south. Take Exit 80 off of I55, turn Right and Left onto the Frontage Road.

Site:

* Some parts of old 66 are now under the normal water level of Lake Springfield, when the water level is low, the road can still be seen.

Divernon

There is a route 66 alignment on the western side of I55.

Thomasville

There is a route 66 alignment on the western side of I55.

Farmersville

There is a route 66 alignment on the western side of I55.

Sites:

Art's Motel and Restaurant

Our Lady of the Highways

Waggoner

There is a route 66 alignment on the western side of I55. Turn left at 1600 North, cross I-55, take Eastern Frontage Road into Litchfield.

Litchfield

There is a route 66 alignment on the eastern side of I55. Niehaus Cycle Company, a large motorcycle dealership with a booming mail order business is located directly on Old Route 66 in Litchfield. The second generation of Niehaus'es operate the business.

There are 2 options for passing Litchfield:

stay on the 4 lane

2 lane

Sites:

o Skyview Drive Inn

o Ariston Cafe

o Route 66 Cafe

Mt. Olive

In Mt. Olive, follow Mt. Olive Rd.

Sites:

Shell station (1926-1992), closed by the EPA

Go to SR4, and pickup SR157. It still is unclear whether Route 66 passed Livingston, but here are directions:

From Mt. Olive: Continue south to where the road ends, turn right, cross over I55, turn left on the frontage road, after the Kendon Motel Sign, cross IL4 (????) and turn Left onto the frontage road In Livingston, turn Left at the first stop sign, left at Park St, left on the frontage road and then head to Hamel.

ALTERNATIVE END

Hamel

Sites:

Church of the Neon Cross

Take SR157 South.

Edwardsville

Follow SR157 till just before I270, turn onto Chain of Rocks Road westbound (=right).

From Mitchell to St. Louis

Mitchell

ALTERNATIVE 1 START: To the (closed) Chain of rocks bridge

The original Route 66 : Continue on Chain of Rocks Road till the closed Chain of Rocks bridge.

Sites:

* Mustang Corral: At the crossing of SR111 and Chain of Rocks Road is a large lot with about 200 Mustangs waiting for a second life.

* Chain of Rocks Bridge: Constructed in 1927 it is a remarkable bridge with a 135 degrees turn in the middle, closed to traffic, accessible on foot only.

ALTERNATIVE 2 : Over Mc Kinley Bridge

At Mitchell, turn south (SR 203, Nameoki Road)

Granite City

Turn west onto Madison Avenue, which becomes Broadwalk in Venice, cross 4th street, cross the Mc Kinley Bridge (toll)

* The area in Venice you're passing is rumored (?) to be rather unsafe.

* Mc Kinley Bridge is the only currently in use bridge that once supported an alignment of Route 66, all others have been closed. WARNING: Mc Kinley Bridge is in real bad shape, an average speed of about 5 MPH is advised by locals.

ALTERNATIVE 3 : Using I270

Follow I270 and skirt the city.

ALTERNATIVE END

Route 66 - Missouri - Detailed directions

From St. Louis to Sullivan

St. Louis

Through the city there are many different options.

ALTERNATIVE 1 : I 270 or Chain of Rocks Bridge

One chooses this way for a late Route 66 alignment, skirting St. Louis.

Sites:

* Chain of Rocks Bridge (closed), Rumor has it that on the Missouri side of the Chain of Rocks bridge, one can walk onto the bridge (crossing a closed fence), the bridge should be rather intact except for some graffiti, and one should be able to walk the entire length. Do so at your own risk. Following the rape and murder of a local college student the bridge was closed off.

* The access road paralleling the Interstate has a few old motels left.

Hazelwood

At Hazelwood one leaves the I 270 onto Lindbergh Rd. (US 67) and continues on this road until:

Kirkwood

Where the road is also known under the name Kirkwood Rd.

ALTERNATIVE 2 : Mc Kinley Bridge

Coming from Venice(IL) one crosses the Mc Kinley Bridge, the only still in use bridge that once carried Route 66 into St. Louis. After crossing the bridge turn left onto Salisbury, then left onto Florisant and continue on Florisant onto 13th St. Follow onto Tucker Blvd. and follow onto Gravois Av. Follow onto Chippewa St. Follow onto Watson Road.

Sites:

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

Historic Coral Court used to be here, has made place for a new subdivision.

ALTERNATIVE 3 : Mac Arthur Bridge

This is the original bridge for Route 66, but it is closed for vehicles. One can use the bridge for I55 & I64 instead. Follow the Interstate system towards I-44 and exit at Tucker Blvd. Turn back underneath the interstate and follow Tucker southwest. Follow onto Gravois Av.

ALTERNATIVE END

Out of the city, there are also two different options:

ALTERNATIVE 1 : Manchester Rd.

Manchester Rd. (SR100) is the oldest way out of the city, it passes:

Maplewood