📍 Chicago

Route 66 Begin Sign

  • Snap a picture at the iconic "Begin Route 66" sign near Adams St. & Michigan Ave.

Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant

  • A legendary diner serving travelers since 1923. Famous for its fluffy pancakes and fresh doughnut holes.

Berwyn’s Route 66 Car Spindle (Replica)

  • While the original car-stacked spindle is gone, Berwyn still celebrates its quirky past.

📍 Joliet

  • Route 66 Welcome Center at the Joliet Museum

  • Dive into the history of the Mother Road in Illinois.

Rialto Square Theatre

  • One of the most beautiful historic theaters in the U.S.

📍 Wilmington

  • Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive-In

  • One of the coolest Muffler Men statues on Route 66.

📍 Dwight

Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station

  • A beautifully restored vintage gas station.

📍 Odell

Odell Standard Oil Gas Station

  • A historic 1930s station turned into a visitor stop.

📍 Pontiac

Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum

  • Tons of memorabilia, plus Bob Waldmire’s famous VW bus and road map art.

Pontiac Murals

  • The town is packed with vibrant Route 66 murals, perfect for photos.

📍 Atlanta

Bunyon’s Giant Hot Dog Muffler Man

  • A must-see for classic Route 66 kitsch.

📍 Lincoln

The Railsplitter Covered Wagon

  • The world's largest covered wagon, complete with a giant Abraham Lincoln statue.

📍 Springfield

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

  • If you're a history buff, this is a must.

Cozy Dog Drive-In

  • The birthplace of the corn dog on a stick!

Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill

  • A great place for food, Route 66 memorabilia, and a cool outdoor car display.

📍 Litchfield

Ariston Café

  • One of the oldest continually operating Route 66 restaurants, since 1924.

📍 Cahokia Mounds (Slight detour)

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

  • A fascinating pre-Columbian Native American city worth visiting.

📍 Chain of Rocks Bridge (St. Louis Border)

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

  • A famous Route 66 Mississippi River crossing with a unique 30-degree bend.

Final Stop: The Missouri Border

Take one last snapshot before heading into Missouri for more Route 66 adventures!