Has anyone done Rt 66 (I55?)from Chicago to St Louis? How's the ride? Is it local traffic? Is it highway? Is it worth doing or is an alternate route to St Louis better?

Thanks

 

Yes, but too long ago to remember much. But I don't recall any problems. I do remember some nice restaurants (um mm food).

 

absolutely worth doing. You will need the "EZ 66 Guide" to find the original roadway. Available on Amazon. The St. Louis - Tulsa stretch is nice too.

 

I'm leaving for Chicago Saturday. I don't think it would make it here before I left. lol

Unfortunately I don't think I'm headed further south of St Louis

 

Chicago to LA back in 1997, on a 1972 XLCH. NICE RIDE!!! From the current Interstate replacement roads, you can still see what's left of old Rt 66. There are plenty of Historic Rt 66 signs along the way, so do some exploring. Have fun.

 

Did it back in May of 2010 on my Dyna. Def a nice trip. Back then they were putting a lot of $ into areas to try and restore some of its history.

Enjoy and be safe. 66 is easy to follow until you get outside of St. Louis. We got lost and thought we ended up in Mogadishu. Got a little dicey for a few miles lol.

 

Sounds like you are just going Chicago to St Louis thats how I read it. Then by all means YES do th RT66 Just one more memory that might not be around much longer. If you ever get the chance to do what is left of the road make sure you end up on the Santa Monica Pier. You can park on the pier then walk to the end, then and only then can you say you did the entire RT66.

 

The original route 66 down this way is mostly the frontage road. If want to stay on the original 66 do not take it from exit 72 to 60. I live just off of it and the potholes will swallow your bike so stay on Highway 55 thru there. The Shrine of the Road is off of it here and if you really want to stop there get off at exit 63 and go slow and backtrack a little.

 

If I had a month to do it and not feel rushed I'd like to do the entire route. Remember, from the pier I still have to get back to Philly. LoL

Are those exists mile markers like some roads have? I have a horrendous sense of directions and can get lost turning around a few times.

 

Exit numbers are clearly marked here, I have drove a car or rode the bike on all of 55 from Chicago to St Louis. I drive back and forth on 55 every day from my house to Springfield for work, 40 miles each way. 55 is a decent highway winter took a toll tho a lot of potholes right now but not horrible. To ride on original parts of 66 it is the frontage road and not taken the best care of especially in places. I grew up in Litchfield which is a popular Route 66 stop.

Depends how soon you plan on riding it, if summer potholes will be repaired. Like I said stay off it between 72-60 then get off at 60 and take it to Litchfield and farther down is not too bad either. In Litchfield they have a Route 66 museum now, eat at the Ariston, if stay the night the old Drive-in will be open, modernized some now but still in the same place as originally was.

I am not really familiar with 66 itself up North but Springfield down I have been on it quite a bit. Let me know when your riding it could ride some with you possibly depending on when you're going.