When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey Dh_Meyer, I found your post while looking for information on Route 66. I live in Chicago and my whole life I have heard of route 66 and have probably walked, ridden or driven parts of it as I commute around Chicago. Now that I have a Harley I thought it would be fun to ride the famous route 66.
I can tell you that in the Chicago area there is very little to non-existent signage for route 66. Some local communities do put a marker here and there but that's about it. In addition, there are pre-1940 and post 1940 routes in Illinois as well as alternate routes since the old road has been closed or built over with factories, housing. So you may want to decide which of the two routes you want to follow.
As far as old attractions, there are very few left. Most has been redeveloped with newer buildings and businesses. Also, part of Route 66 in Illinois was used for I-55 so you will be on the highway for a portion of the trip following route 66.
I am planning to spend a weekend this summer (2017) riding it from its starting point through Illinois and hope to eventually do the entire route, state by state.
I'm taking full advantage of the book I mentioned in an earlier post and am plotting a turn-by-turn GPS route(s), from Chicago to Albuquerque, NM.
A few of my biggest debates are so far include:
- whether or not to ride all the way into Chicago for the starting point vs start closer to Joliet (the purist in me wants that starting point photo)
- do I go see Chain-of-Rocks bridge or skip it - reading bad reports of that area
- how much of St Louis to bypass (will hit Ted Drews)
So far I've only plotted from Chicago into mid-MO, but I think the rest of the route to NM will involve fewer traffic hassles.
My best advice is to go that route. May be expensive, but they got experience to lead you and many others on Rt. 66 trip. You just get to lay back and enjoy the trip while they will guide and give you tons of information and details while riding. Also, If you go with your friends...All of you can ride and exchange different brands of bikes for the heck of it. Another way to discuss the Pro's and Con's of the bike's characteristics during the evening.
FYI, My close buddy, his dad, Uncle and Cousin went and told me stories how much they enjoyed their trip. He recommend me or anybody to go on that trip. Truly once in a lifetime opportunity and experience.
I can tell you from growing up in Illinois (and spending a career working there) that 90% of the actual Rt. 66 is gone. If you actually started in the city of Chicago and went through Joliet heading south along I-55 you may get a couple photos of signs but you sure ain't going to feel like you are on old Rt. 66. If you want to do that plus get down into St. Louis in a day you should start about 6am. Of course your odds of getting shot or robbed are slightly better in Chicago than St. Louis so as your day goes on in Illinois you should start feeling safer. By the way, make sure you have extra road hazard coverage for your wheels/tires because after banging across the 10" deep potholes all day you will need it.
We did Rt. 66 a few years back and used the "Here It Is Route 66" map collection (http://www.historic66.com/books/?8maps). Very specific turn by turn directions with only one or two errors that may or may not have been user error. Lou Mitchell's (the start of Rt 66) is a good (and historic) eatery but always seems to be jammed. Illinois has SOME nice drives, stopping in Springfield for a Cozy Dog is a must! I say go for Old Chain O Rocks Bridge, that was something! We walked it on our Rt 66 trip and a couple times after. If you're lucky you might get to see a bunch of Bald Eagles like we did! Also, if you're getting hongry, Fast Eddie's Bon Air in Alton (15 min/miles) from Chain O Rocks Bridge is definitely a place to stop. Donut Drive In in St. Louis is good place for some power-rings! The Seaba Station, Round Barn and Pops in Oklahoma are cool. Tecumcari as everyone knows where the movie Cars is set is a must as well! Also, I don't know if you camp or hotel it but I HIGHLY recommend staying at the Twin Arrows Casino/Resort in Arizona! I don't gamble but the hotel was very reasonably priced and I thought unbelievably nice. Stop and get some fry bread from one of the reservations if you can as well! Do NOT pass up Oatman, AZ.! By far one the coolest drives that they say rivals the Dragon's Tail in TN. Oatman is a small mining town that comes out of nowhere and is filled with mules. Stop at the Dollar Bill Bar once there. If you come across Roy's you're not far from Amboy Crater, which is a sight to see. Afterwards, Bagdad Cafe (also another movie set place) was a welcomed lunch break in California. We did about a state a day and were pushing it (by my standards anyway) by staying off the slab as much as possible. It is A LOT of frontage roads and literally leap frogging them from one side to the other when next to the highways and that was taking it's toll some days. All in all, like another user said, a lot of the original Rt 66 is gone but IF you have enough time, I highly suggest staying off the slab as much as possible and taking your time, I definitely had (and still do) a feeling of nostalgia for the road, the people who live and lived on/around it and our nation due to seeing literally the better portion of half of the map from one side of our great nation to the other on ONE trip. You mentioned liking old buildings, just before the Round Barn in Oklahoma, there's a little stone structure that was originally a gas station that I want to say Al Capone used for some hide out or something like that, very interesting feeling being there. Sorry for the novel, I just get the warm fuzzies thinking about this trip, PM me and I'll give you my number if you want to talk about more of the trip. or have any other questions. Sorry for the novel again!
We did Rt. 66 a few years back and used the "Here It Is Route 66" map collection (http://www.historic66.com/books/?8maps). Very specific turn by turn directions with only one or two errors that may or may not have been user error. Lou Mitchell's (the start of Rt 66) is a good (and historic) eatery but always seems to be jammed. Illinois has SOME nice drives, stopping in Springfield for a Cozy Dog is a must! I say go for Old Chain O Rocks Bridge, that was something! We walked it on our Rt 66 trip and a couple times after. If you're lucky you might get to see a bunch of Bald Eagles like we did! Also, if you're getting hongry, Fast Eddie's Bon Air in Alton (15 min/miles) from Chain O Rocks Bridge is definitely a place to stop. Donut Drive In in St. Louis is good place for some power-rings! The Seaba Station, Round Barn and Pops in Oklahoma are cool. Tecumcari as everyone knows where the movie Cars is set is a must as well! Also, I don't know if you camp or hotel it but I HIGHLY recommend staying at the Twin Arrows Casino/Resort in Arizona! I don't gamble but the hotel was very reasonably priced and I thought unbelievably nice. Stop and get some fry bread from one of the reservations if you can as well! Do NOT pass up Oatman, AZ.! By far one the coolest drives that they say rivals the Dragon's Tail in TN. Oatman is a small mining town that comes out of nowhere and is filled with mules. Stop at the Dollar Bill Bar once there. If you come across Roy's you're not far from Amboy Crater, which is a sight to see. Afterwards, Bagdad Cafe (also another movie set place) was a welcomed lunch break in California. We did about a state a day and were pushing it (by my standards anyway) by staying off the slab as much as possible. It is A LOT of frontage roads and literally leap frogging them from one side to the other when next to the highways and that was taking it's toll some days. All in all, like another user said, a lot of the original Rt 66 is gone but IF you have enough time, I highly suggest staying off the slab as much as possible and taking your time, I definitely had (and still do) a feeling of nostalgia for the road, the people who live and lived on/around it and our nation due to seeing literally the better portion of half of the map from one side of our great nation to the other on ONE trip. You mentioned liking old buildings, just before the Round Barn in Oklahoma, there's a little stone structure that was originally a gas station that I want to say Al Capone used for some hide out or something like that, very interesting feeling being there. Sorry for the novel, I just get the warm fuzzies thinking about this trip, PM me and I'll give you my number if you want to talk about more of the trip. or have any other questions. Sorry for the novel again!
Thanks for the input. I'm using the EZ Guide to Route 66 book. Its very helpful.
I've seen a few of the items you mentioned on recent car trips: OK round barn, OK stone gas station/Capone/counterfite site, Oatman - the road was awesome - Cool Springs gas station is the ultimate site on the route IMHO. I definitely want to stop at Cozy Dog in Springfield again - last time I was there in late December, thus closed for the season.
... I got a few this last summer. I am planning on getting more this year. Here are a few shots.
This is on the Road through Petrified Forest National Park. The original route, if my memory serves me, is between the Car and the Telephone posts. The Interstate is to the left of the posts a bit.
Yup ... standing on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona
So, I turned a corner off of 93, and got onto 66, I was looking for a road sign to take a picture of Darla beside .... and found this one.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
