🚗
No stops found
Try a different search or filter.
Illinois has three historic alignments: the original 1926–1930 route, a 1930–1940 realignment, and the final 1940–1977 four-lane highway. Some towns appear on one alignment only. Where relevant this is noted in descriptions. Use illinoisroute66.org to map your preferred path before you go.
🏙
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Chicago · Cicero · Willowbrook · Joliet · Wilmington · Braidwood · Gardner · Dwight · Odell · Pontiac
27 stops
All stops, north to south
Home of the original Chicago-style hot dog — the 'depression dog' — topped with french fries. A former drive-through diner that has become a beloved stop for anyone craving a taste of old Chicago on Route 66.
6031 Ogden Ave, Cicero
Tracing its roots to a 1930s lunch counter, this 1946 roadhouse serves world-famous slow-cooked chicken with sit-down dining and a cocktail lounge. A true Route 66 dining institution south of Chicago.
645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook
Start here for a free Route 66 Experience exhibit that sets the stage for everything ahead. Pick up maps, get oriented, and snap a photo with the iconic 6-foot Route 66 Number & Shield installment outside.
204 N Ottawa St, Joliet
The imposing 1858 prison that housed Leopold and Speck, and served as the filming location for The Blues Brothers. Now a historic site with tours, the prison is one of Route 66's most atmospheric stops — especially during centennial events.
1125 Collins St, Joliet
A classic ice cream stand topped with a giant illuminated cone sign, made extra memorable by a rooftop tribute to The Blues Brothers — two miniature figures in black suits and hats, a nod to the film's opening scene shot at the nearby Old Joliet Prison. A sweet, quick stop that ties Joliet's Route 66 and Hollywood history together.
Broadway St, Joliet
Born the same year as Route 66 in 1926, the Rialto is a palace of ornate architecture with a grand rotunda and elaborate plasterwork. Tours available — the grandeur is next to none on this stretch of the Mother Road.
102 N Chicago St, Joliet
Honoring Illinois' enormous contributions to rock music through artifacts, jam sessions, and vinyl listening stations. A surprisingly deep and moving museum right on the Mother Road.
9 W Cass St, Joliet
One of the most iconic Muffler Men on all of Route 66 — a 30-foot spaceman in a green suit clutching a rocket, paying homage to the 1961 Gemini Space Flight program. After restoration, the Gemini Giant has been relocated to its new permanent home at 201 Bridge Street.
201 Bridge St, Wilmington
Wilmington's own classic cinema has been lighting up its dazzling marquee since 1937, continuing to offer films and live events in a beautifully preserved historic theater.
116 N Water St, Wilmington
A beloved green Sinclair dinosaur statue perched atop a 1963 Sinclair service station. One of the quirkier and more beloved photo stops in northern Illinois.
205 E Baltimore St, Wilmington
A 1950s-style diner born from a school bus food stand in 1956. Checkered floors, tabletop jukeboxes, root beer floats, chili cheese fries, and life-size statues of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and the Blues Brothers. Pure Mother Road joy.
222 N Front St, Braidwood
Step into this 1906 historic two-cell lockup for an audio narration of its quirky past. One of the smallest and most charming detours on the northern stretch.
Town Square, Gardner
A 1932 diner built from an early 20th-century Kankakee streetcar, later transformed into a playhouse. Today visitors can peer into its preserved history, complete with diner-themed furniture and a colorful kitchen mural.
Town Square, Gardner
Also in this region
Built in 1933 and considered the longest continuously operated service station on the Mother Road, Ambler's now serves as Dwight's Route 66 Visitor Center. Displays include old cash registers, automotive memorabilia, and a fully restored Model-T.
417 W Route 66, Dwight
An eight-sided, five-story windmill built in 1896 to pump water for the Oughton Estate, once part of Dr. Leslie Keeley's famous Keeley Institute. Now owned by the Village of Dwight, it still stands beside a small pond just off Route 66.
101 W South St, Dwight
A 1905 bank designed by a young Frank Lloyd Wright, decades before he became a household name. Understated on the outside by Wright's standards, but a must for anyone tracing his early work. Still an active bank today.
122 W Main St, Dwight
An exquisitely restored 1932 Standard Oil station based on the classic 1916 Ohio design. So beloved by the local community that it was rescued from disrepair by residents. One of the most photographed vintage stations on the entire route.
400 S West St, Odell
About 600 feet from the Mother Road, this nostalgic painted barn is a relic of Meramec Caverns' 1930s advertising campaign — one of the most ingenious roadside marketing efforts in Route 66 history.
IL-66 near Cayuga, Cayuga
Housed in a historic 1900s firehouse, this museum is home to Bob Waldmire's iconic VW Bus, the Livingston County War Museum, and hours of Route 66 memorabilia. Follow the Blue Footprint signs from downtown to find it.
110 W Howard St, Pontiac
Pontiac's celebrated 24 outdoor wall murals — including the famous Route 66 Shield Mural — tell the story of the town and the Mother Road. Follow the Red Footprint signs to find them all.
Downtown, Pontiac
A gorgeous collection of rare Pontiac and Oakland vehicles in a beautifully restored building. Free admission makes this a no-brainer stop — follow the Blue Footprint signs through downtown.
205 N Mill St, Pontiac
Rising above Pontiac's town square, this Second Empire courthouse has anchored downtown since 1875, designed by Chicago architect John C. Cochrane after a fire destroyed its predecessor in 1874. A multimillion-dollar 2013 renovation restored the courtroom and main hallway to their original grandeur. Still an active government building, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
112 W Madison St, Pontiac
The oldest surviving brick home in Pontiac, built 1857–58 in the Gothic Revival style with a steep gabled roof and pointed second-story windows. Named for newspaper publisher Henry C. Jones, who bought the house in 1899. Saved from demolition after a 1975 fire by local preservationists, it's now owned by the Livingston County Historical Society and open for public tours on select days.
Pontiac
Three swinging pedestrian bridges span the Vermilion River in Pontiac — two built in the 1890s for factory workers to cross the river, and they're still walkable today. Pontiac is apparently the only town in Illinois with three of these. A quiet, easy detour from the downtown mural and museum cluster.
Vermilion River, Pontiac
A rustic shrine to American comfort food that barely changed since it opened as a roadside lunchroom and gas station in 1926. One of the most authentic remaining diners on Illinois Route 66.
18700 Old Rt 66, Pontiac
While You’re in Chicago — Mile Zero
Worth extra time
Chicago is where Route 66 begins. These two stops are the official starting points of the Mother Road — set aside an hour before you head southwest, soak up the city energy, and let the journey begin properly.
The official start of Route 66. The historic shield signs mark mile zero on East Adams Street, across from the Art Institute. The perfect opening photo before you head southwest toward Santa Monica.
East Adams St & S Michigan Ave, Chicago
A rite of passage before heading west. Open since 1923, Lou Mitchell's serves massive breakfasts with a side of Route 66 nostalgia — milk duds for the ladies, donut holes for the gents. Retro booths, zigzag counters, and the best coffee on the Mother Road.
565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago
🌏
CENTRAL ILLINOIS
Lexington · Normal · Bloomington · Funks Grove · McLean · Atlanta · Lincoln · Broadwell · Elkhart · Springfield
24 stops
All stops, north to south
A one-mile strip of original 1926 pavement lined with Burma Shave signs and vintage billboards, serving as Route 66 until the 1940s. A rare, drivable stretch of the original alignment that is itself on the National Register of Historic Places.
Old Rt 66 off Moorehead Rd, Lexington
An architectural rarity — a distinctive brick Tudor Revival structure built in 1931, the only Tudor Revival canopy gas station in Illinois. Now restored as a visitor information center and gift shop.
305 N Adelaide Ave, Normal
A beloved local institution watched over by Carl, a 15-foot-tall smiley Muffler Man holding an ice cream cone in one hand and a hamburger in the other. The only ice cream shop in Bloomington-Normal that makes its own premium hard ice cream.
1028 S Main St, Normal
Housed in the copper-domed 1903 Historic Courthouse, this museum features seven galleries on McLean County history and serves as the Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitor Center. Home to Beer Nuts — invented in Bloomington in 1937.
200 N Main St, Bloomington
A sweet, beloved stop where the Funk family has tapped maples and made pure maple sirup since 1824 — note the intentional 'sirup' spelling. The surrounding thousand-acre grove includes a serene Chapel of the Templed Trees and historic cemetery.
5257 Old Rt 66, Funks Grove
Possibly the first truck stop on Route 66, open since 1928. The painted murals, low lighting, mismatched furniture, and all-American menu keep the soul of the original roadhouse alive for a new generation of Mother Road travelers.
I-55 & Old Rt 66, McLean
Chock-full of 70+ playable arcade machines from the 1930s through 1970s. A wonderfully unexpected stop in a tiny town, perfect for families and anyone who wants to step back into the golden age of arcade gaming.
103 S Arch St, Atlanta
A 19-foot-tall Muffler Man holding a giant hot dog, relocated from Bunyon's Hot Dog Stand in Cicero in 2003. Stands guard over Atlanta's main drag alongside the Historic Palms Grill Café sign. The quintessential Route 66 roadside photo op.
301 NE Arch St, Atlanta
A brand-new attraction dedicated to Muffler Men and Roadside Giants — the towering fiberglass figures that became icons of Route 66 Americana. Fascinating for anyone who has ever stopped for a photo with one.
119 NE Vine St, Atlanta
The concessional result of a Cubs vs. Cardinals argument over what to paint on the tower — someone suggested a smiley face, and it stuck. One of Route 66's most cheerful photo stops.
Race St, Atlanta
A 25-foot-tall, 40-foot-long covered wagon — in the Guinness Book of World Records — with a giant statue of Abraham Lincoln in the driver's seat, law book in hand. Hand-built in 2001 and relocated to Lincoln in 2007.
1750 5th St, Lincoln
A red and white Dutch-themed building with a working windmill, originally opened in 1929 as the Blue Mill Restaurant. Now a museum showcasing Route 66 artifacts and original memorabilia.
738 S Washington St, Lincoln
Also in this region
The refurbished original sign of the legendary Pig Hip Restaurant, which served travelers from 1937 to 1991. All that remains is the sign and a memorial plaque — a poignant remnant of what once was, and a great roadside photo.
Old Rt 66, Broadwell
A 36-by-8-foot hand-painted mural on the side of Horsefeathers Antique Shop depicting the history of Elkhart and the Mother Road. One of the finest murals on this stretch of the road.
Horsefeathers Antique Shop, Main St, Elkhart
A delightful dining spot housed in a former 1892 bank building, serving an internationally inspired scratch-made menu. The exposed brick, painted murals, and low lighting create the perfect roadside cafe ambiance.
108 N Main St, Elkhart
Inventor of the corn dog on a stick — the Cozy Dog, created in 1949 and served by the third-generation Waldmire family ever since. A genuine Route 66 rite of passage and one of the most visited stops in Springfield.
2935 S 6th St, Springfield
One of the coolest watering holes on the Mother Road, home to the World's Largest Outdoor Route 66 Sign and an extensive display of memorabilia from Route 66 landmarks, motor racing, and Springfield history. Budget extra time here.
600 W Stevenson Dr, Springfield
A bearded 1962 Muffler Man proudly holding an American flag, with a storied past that includes surviving decapitation by a 2006 tornado. Now restored and standing guard in front of Lauterbach Tire & Auto Service.
1708 S 6th St, Springfield
An American classic that opened in 1974 and keeps going strong. One of the few original drive-in theaters still in operation on the Illinois stretch of Route 66.
1700 Recreation Dr, Springfield
A Texaco and later Marathon station from 1946 to 1982, transformed into a world-renowned museum by Bill and Helen Shea. Recently restored by the City of Springfield — the reproduced original exterior signage alone makes it a worthy photo stop.
2075 Peoria Rd, Springfield
A tiny 14x14-foot Phillips 66 station from the 1920s, now on display at Fulgenzi's Pizza & Pasta. Believed to be one of the earliest gas stations in Illinois, with original glass-globe pump intact.
2501 S 6th St, Springfield
While You’re in Springfield — Lincoln Country
Worth extra time
Springfield is the only Route 66 state capital that also sits at the heart of Abraham Lincoln’s story. These sites deserve a dedicated half-day — Illinois Route 66 and Lincoln heritage are uniquely intertwined here in ways found nowhere else on the Mother Road.
Traces the life and work of Abraham Lincoln as a traveling circuit-riding lawyer. The first town in the country named after Lincoln before he became president — christened with watermelon juice in 1853.
300 Keokuk St, Lincoln
The life of Lincoln from boyhood to presidency and assassination comes alive through state-of-the-art special effects and immersive exhibits. The premier Lincoln experience in the world — budget at least two to three hours.
212 N 6th St, Springfield
The only home Lincoln ever owned, preserved and open for tours. Walk through the rooms where he and Mary Todd raised their family and where he received word of his presidential nomination.
413 S 8th St, Springfield
🌹
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Auburn · Chatham · Girard · Nilwood · Carlinville · Gillespie · Staunton · Litchfield · Mt. Olive · Livingston · Collinsville · Madison
20 stops
All stops, north to south
A hand-laid stretch of original 1931 Route 66 brick road, nearly a mile long with gentle curves through cornfields. A testament that the road itself — not just what's alongside it — creates the memories.
Snell & Curran Rds, Auburn
A full bar, craft brewery, and an extensive collection of vintage beer advertisements and breweriana from downstate Illinois. A unique combination of Mother Road heritage and local craft culture.
226 S Main St, Chatham
One of Girard's oldest businesses, dating back to 1884. Step into a 1920s-themed soda fountain and pharmacy museum for cherry Cokes, banana splits, Route 66 beer floats, and scratch-made meals in a wonderfully preserved atmosphere.
133 S 2nd St, Girard
Before IL-4 was designated Route 66 in 1926, turkeys ran across the wet concrete leaving 34 tracks permanently embedded in the road. The tracks are contained by a painted white border on original 1926 pavement — one of Route 66's most peculiar and endearing relics.
Donaldson Rd, Nilwood
Completed in 1870 at a price tag that took 40 years to pay off, this is considered the most magnificent courthouse in Illinois. The brick-paved Historic Square surrounding it is the only town square in Illinois that Route 66 went completely around.
201 E Main St, Carlinville
Deep in coal country, this museum honors the black diamond history that shaped communities along this stretch of Route 66. Includes a miner silhouette statue, interpretive exhibits, and the historic Canna Theatre building.
400 E Main St, Gillespie
A 1930s roadhouse with a genuinely colorful history that includes gambling, bootlegging, and a stickup by gangsters in a large black sedan. Now a classic bar and restaurant where the old road's spirit — and its stories — live on.
2990 Old Rt 66, Staunton
Over 600 antique cars all under one roof, displayed by this family-owned business with a gift shop of collectibles and Route 66 memorabilia. A jaw-dropping collection in an unexpected small-town setting.
One Classic Car Drive, Staunton
A quirky roadside attraction and home to rabbits of both the Volkswagen and furry kind. Beloved by Route 66 enthusiasts worldwide, with a collection of vintage VW Bugs and a warm welcome from host Bill Thomas. A must-visit for any Mother Road devotee.
1107 Old Rt 66, Staunton
Built near the site of the 1957 Vic Suhling Gas For Less station, the museum features exhibits on Route 66 history and a restored neon sign that testifies to the station's place in the road's story.
334 Old Rt 66 N, Litchfield
One of the oldest continuously operated restaurants on all of Route 66, with origins going back to 1924 and established at its current location in 1935. Booths, counter seating, soul food, and standout desserts. A living piece of Mother Road history.
413 N Old Rt 66, Litchfield
The only original operating drive-in movie theater on the Illinois stretch of Route 66, open since 1950 — and the oldest continuously operated drive-in from Chicago to California. An absolute must on a warm evening.
1500 Old Rt 66, Litchfield
Also in this region
Built in 1926 and impeccably restored, the cottage-like facade and bright yellow Shell pumps of this station make it one of the most photographed on the entire highway. Closed since 1993 but perfectly preserved as a historic monument.
710 W 1st St, Mount Olive
A five-for-one roadside bonanza: a Giant Surfer, Harley-Davidson Muffler Man, Giant Tricycle, Giant Pink Elephant, and a rare Uniroyal Girl all in one spot. Inside, 50+ antique dealers fill a former high school. Also home to the Mother Road Fudge-n-Candy Shop.
3 Broadview Dr, Livingston
The world's largest catsup bottle — a 170-foot water tower built in 1949 to supply the local catsup plant. A beloved roadside giant and one of the most recognized landmarks in southern Illinois.
800 S Morrison Ave, Collinsville
The largest prehistoric Native American settlement north of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pre-Columbian earthwork mounds rising from the floodplain — one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America, right at the end of Route 66.
30 Ramey St, Collinsville
The former 1938 Tourist Haven Restaurant, now a local hotspot with themed Route 66 decor, vintage signs, and hearty meals. A quintessential small-town roadhouse that keeps the old road's spirit alive at the Illinois-Missouri border.
18 Ct St, Hamel
Built in 1924 with a storied history that includes basement gambling, working girls upstairs, and Al Capone as a rumored regular. The elaborate vintage neon sign has been fully restored — if the cherry is lit, the legend says, the working girls were in.
201 E Chain of Rocks Rd, Mitchell
The original Route 66 crossing of the Mississippi — a 5,353-foot-long bridge with a dramatic 30-degree mid-span turn, built in 1929. Now a pedestrian and cycling bridge and one of the longest in the world still in use. The end of Illinois Route 66.
Chain of Rocks Rd, Madison
A former 1909 opera house renovated into a beautiful historic cinema and live performance venue. One of Edwardsville's most cherished landmarks in a downtown filled with 19th-century architecture.
252 N Main St, Edwardsville
WANT THE FULL 8-STATE GUIDE?
Download our free Route 66 Ultimate Travel Guide PDF — curated highlights for all eight states, insider tips, and practical planning advice.
Download Free PDF Guide