Driving Route 66 Through Illinois
The Mother Road begins in Chicago. Here's how to experience Illinois' 300 miles of Route 66.
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Illinois Community Editorial Desk
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Driving Route 66 Through Illinois
Route 66 starts in Chicago and crosses 300 miles of Illinois before reaching Missouri. Here's how to experience it.
The Route
Starting Point: Chicago
Begin at Adams & Michigan (official start). The first miles follow city streets before hitting suburban areas.
Ending Point: Chain of Rocks Bridge
Cross into Missouri on this historic pedestrian-only bridge near Granite City.
Total Distance: ~300 miles
Driving time: 5-6 hours without stops (but stop!)
Must-See Stops
Joliet
Miles from Chicago: 40
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Joliet Area Historical Museum (Route 66 exhibit)
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Rialto Square Theatre
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Rich & Creamy ice cream (classic stand)
Wilmington
Miles from Chicago: 60
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Gemini Giant (iconic fiberglass statue)
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Launching Pad Drive-In
Pontiac
Miles from Chicago: 100
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Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum
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Murals throughout downtown
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Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum
Bloomington-Normal
Miles from Chicago: 130
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Sprague's Super Service Station
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Ryburn Place (historic gas station)
Atlanta
Miles from Chicago: 165
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Tall Paul (giant Paul Bunyan statue)
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The Palms Grill Café
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Grain elevator murals
Lincoln
Miles from Chicago: 175
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Mill Restaurant
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Lincoln Heritage Museum
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The first city named for Abraham Lincoln
Springfield
Miles from Chicago: 200
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Cozy Dog Drive In (corn dog origin!)
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Route 66 Drive-In Theatre
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Shea's Gas Station Museum
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Plus all Lincoln sites
Litchfield
Miles from Chicago: 250
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Ariston Café (oldest restaurant on Route 66)
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Sky View Drive-In
Collinsville
Miles from Chicago: 280
- World's Largest Catsup Bottle
Chain of Rocks Bridge
Miles from Chicago: 300
Walk across the old Route 66 alignment over the Mississippi.
Planning Tips
Time Needed
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Speed run: 1 long day
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Proper experience: 2-3 days
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Complete exploration: 4-5 days
Best Time to Go
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Spring and fall for comfortable weather
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Summer for drive-ins and outdoor attractions
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Avoid winter (some attractions close)
Navigation
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Route 66 isn't on GPS—use a dedicated guide or app
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Historic route diverges from modern I-55 frequently
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Watch for brown "Historic Route 66" signs
Where to Stay
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Pontiac has charming downtown hotels
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Springfield has full range of options
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Route 66 motels for authentic experience
Food Highlights
Historic diners and drive-ins remain:
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Cozy Dog Drive In (Springfield) - Original corn dog
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Ariston Café (Litchfield) - Since 1924
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The Palms Grill (Atlanta) - Classic diner
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Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket (Willowbrook)
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Luna Café (Granite City)
What Makes Illinois Route 66 Special
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It's where the road begins
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Longest segment through any state
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Best preserved of original route
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Deep Lincoln connections throughout
Keep Planning
Go deeper with guides
Use these related guides if you want a more complete framework after this article.
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Editorial Transparency
Why trust this page
Published February 27, 2026
- Built around a specific Illinois question or planning need, not filler content written for volume alone.
- Reviewed by Illinois Community Editorial Desk before publication and refreshed when core details materially change.
- Editorial coverage on this page is centered on Illinois context, landmark relevance, visit planning value.
- When timing, policy, or event logistics matter, we push readers toward official sources and direct confirmation before they act.
