A HIGHWAY’ S HIGHS AND LOWS
Route 66, created by the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads in 1926, is part of the first federal highway system and a network of existing roads connecting Chicago and Santa Monica, CA, ran parallel to railway lines and between established transportation hubs. Route 66 in 1938 became the first highway in the U. S. to be completely paved.
The Dust Bowl, caused by droughts and dust storms in the Midwest and southern Great Plains, along with the Great Depression of the 1930s, helped significantly develop US 66, as farm workers and their families migrated on the route to seek work in California. The highway, featured in John Steinbeck’ s 1939 novel( and the 1940 movie) The Grapes of Wrath, also served as a crucial route for soldiers and supplies during World War II.
The post-war period saw more Americans buying cars and taking vacations, which made automotive travel for leisure— particularly heading West— more popular. As car traffic increased, neon signs, souvenir shops, motels, restaurants, gas stations and roadside attractions sprang up along Route 66.
Business boomed for the towns along the roadway through the mid 1950s. But the popularity of automotive travel on a large scale ironically contributed to Route 66’ s downfall: It drove a push toward better roads and more efficient ways of traversing the U. S.
President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to create a national system of interstate highways, which provided faster ways to get to the major cities. As a result, five new interstates( I−55, I−44, I−40, I−15 and I−10) replaced U. S. 66 between the 1950s and the 1980s. After the 1984 bypassing of the last section of U. S. 66 by I−40, Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985.
The forgotten highway was left to deteriorate, but interest in and nostalgia for the route brought about numerous efforts to preserve, protect and promote Route 66. A century after its development, the Mother Road continues to fascinate people with its connection to American history, pop culture and the spirit of adventure.
Ready to plan your own cruise on Route 66 to celebrate its centennial? Here are some travel resources and things to see, eat, and drink along the way, organized by state.
Resources: National66. org, NPS. gov / subjects / TravelRoute66
ILLINOIS( 301 MILES)
Going from east to west, your journey begins in Chicago. If you really want to go back in time, visit the speakeasy-style Potter’ s Bar( potterschicago. com) in The Palmer House hotel for Prohibition-style cocktails.
Head to the“ Historic 66 Begin” sign at the corner of Adams St. and Michigan Ave. Fuel up for the journey at the Lou Mitchell’ s restaurant( LouMitchells. com) or The Roadhouse 66 Gas N’ Grill( Roadhouse66Gas-n-Grill. com).
The first 100 miles of Route 66 is known as the Heritage Corridor( TheFirstHundredMiles. com). In Joliet, IL, visit the
The massive Route 66 shield mural in downtown Pontiac IL, located behind the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum.
Route 66 Welcome Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum( JolietMuseum. org) and the Old Joliet Prison( Joliet- Prison. org), made famous by The Blues Brothers movie.
A new area attraction is PENN Entertainment’ s $ 185 million Hollywood Casino Joliet( Hollywoodcasinojoliet. com), opened in August 2025. If you’ re feeling lucky, hungry or thirsty, the land-based casino features about 1,000 slots and 43 live table games, an ESPN BET sportsbook and several restaurants and bars.
You can see American bison grazing at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie( FS. USDA. gov / r09 / midewin), the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, and the Ambler Becker Texaco Station in Dwight, the longest-operating filling station on Route 66.
In Pontiac, visit the Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum( PontiacOaklandMuseum. org) and take in the massive Route 66 shield mural downtown behind the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum( IL66Assoc. org).
Springfield( VisitSpringfield Illinois. com) boasts several worthy stops, from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to the Illinois State Museum, the Ace Sign Company Museum, and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana Thomas House.
Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum( 66Motorheads. com), designed with car and racing enthusiasts in mind, is home to a variety of motorcycle rallies, car shows, and other events throughout the year.
The last 100 miles of Route 66 in Southwest Illinois is part of the Great Rivers & Routes region( RiversAndRoutes. com), going from Virden just outside Springfield to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, which was part of the old Route 66 and crosses the Mississippi River. Here, Route 66 connects with another legendary highway, the Great River Road.
Resources: IL66Assoc. org, EnjoyIllinois. com National Park Sites: Chicago Portage National Historic Site, Lincoln Home National Historic Site Landmarks: Gemini Giant( Wilmington), Sprague’ s Super Service Station( Normal), Cozy Dog Drive In( Springfield)
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