56 2025 SPRING TRAVEL GUIDE SPONSORED CONTENT
Photo Credit : Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
The West End Service Station in Edwardsville offers a taste of early motorized travel along Route 66 .
Picture This : 301 Miles of Classic Americana on Route 66 , Illinois
THE OPEN ROAD HUMS beneath your tires , the scent of sizzling burgers drifts through the air , and neon signs
TAKE the
ROUTE
Travel the buckeye backroads through Belmont County featuring three scenic byways – more than any other county in Ohio ! It ’ s perfect for a leisurely drive to experience natural beauty with picturesque views , rolling hills and winding roads . flicker in the twilight – Illinois Route 66 is more than a road ; it ’ s a journey through America ’ s past . Spanning 301 miles from Chicago to Granite City , this legendary highway offers a nostalgic mix of diners , quirky attractions , and historic landmarks .
Your adventure begins in downtown Chicago at the iconic Route 66 sign . Leaving the city ’ s skyline behind , make your first stop at Dell Rhea ’ s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook , serving crispy fried chicken since the 1920s .
The first 100 miles take you through Joliet , home to the Old Joliet Prison , featured in the movies The Blues Brothers and Prison Break . In Wilmington , the towering Gemini Giant welcomes travelers . Pontiac , a favorite photo stop , boasts the world ’ s largest painted Route 66 shield and the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum , celebrating the highway ’ s golden age .
Farther south , Bloomington-Normal offers the restored Sprague ’ s Super Service Station , a glimpse into road travel ’ s past . Atlanta is home to the towering 19- foot Paul Bunyan Statue holding a giant hot dog , as well as the American Giants Museum , which preserves the history of Muffler Men and other larger-than-life roadside attractions .
In Springfield , Abraham Lincoln ’ s legacy comes to life at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum , the Lincoln Home National Historic Site , and his tomb . Food lovers can indulge at Cozy Dog Drive-In , the birthplace of the corn dog , or try the famous Horseshoe Sandwich at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill .
Farther along , Litchfield ’ s Ariston Cafe , one of the oldest restaurants on Route 66 , welcomes travelers . Livingston ’ s Pink Elephant Antique Mall offers a quirky stop with its giant pink elephant and vintage treasures . Collinsville ’ s Brooks Catsup Bottle water tower , a tribute to America ’ s favorite condiment , and Edwardsville ’ s historic West End Service Station evoke early road travel .
Illinois Route 66 meets the Mississippi River , connecting with another legendary highway – the Great River Road . As you cross the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge , the mighty river below serves as a perfect farewell before the Mother Road continues westward , carrying the spirit of adventure onward .