On the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois, you can immerse yourself in the kitschy and quaint charm of the Mother Road as it journeys through the state.
For a road trip like no other, let the call of the open road lead you through a journey of discovery along the iconic American highway in southwest Illinois. Discover the classic Postcard Mural Trail, with its 11 Americana-themed images celebrating communities and the road on the sides of towns along the way. A series of eight larger-than-life Route 66 Shield Monuments dot the landscape with a trail as unique and fun as the highway itself.
Explore the new It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City, home to the ghost neon signs that once lit up the skies in this town located just outside St. Louis. The park also features two 20-foot Route 66 murals and a miniature Chain of Rocks Bridge for those Instagrammable moments.
Drive through a Route 66 Shield at a home for classic cars in Staunton. Meet Mother Jones, a labor organizer who left her legacy on southwest Illinois in Mt. Olive. Explore the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Staunton and meet the super-sized fiberglass statues that make this Route 66 stop their home. Be sure to browse through the giant antique mall for treasures, enjoy an ice cream treat at the adjacent Twistee Treat Diner, and pick up some vintage candy at the Mother Road Fudge-N-Candy Shop. Stop in Litchfield and immerse yourself in the history of the Mother Road at the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center. The nearby Ariston Café—the longest-serving restaurant still open on the highway—serves up a menu of great food for a dining pit stop. Jubelt’s Bakery & Cafe, also in Litchfield, has been in business for over 100 years and has sweet treats and sandwiches. Be sure to take in an outdoor movie at the Litchfield Skyview Drive-In.
Route 66 meanders through Carlinville, home to the iconic Million Dollar Courthouse and Cannonball Jail. The city also boasts one of the few remaining roundabouts on the Mother Road.
Stop off in Hamel for ice cream or a burger at the Route 66 Creamery, housed in a former train station. The nearby Weezy’s Restaurant serves up famous Horseshoe Sandwiches and Route 66 memorabilia.
Make a pit stop at the revitalized West End Service Station in Edwardsville, once a favorite place to rest before heading across the Mississippi River to Missouri. Enjoy a live music performances at the classic Wildey Theatre, which once welcomed Vaudeville greats and big-screen movies. Both the Stagger Inn and Dewey’s Pizza in Edwardsville are iconic Route 66 stops.
Before the road crosses into Missouri, visit Collinsville and the famous Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cahokia Mounds was home to a massive Native American civilization 1,000 years ago, and many of the mounds remain, including Monk’s Mound, the highest point in the state park. Climb the 147 steps to the top of Monk’s Mound, where downtown St. Louis is visible on clear days.
Walk, don’t drive, across the Mississippi River on the iconic Chain of Rocks Bridge. Once a major Route 66 link between Illinois and Missouri, the bridge is now open only to pedestrian traffic and bicyclists. The bridge is known for its unusual 30-degree bend midway across the river.
For more information about The Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Southwest Illinois, visit riversandroutes.com/things-to-do/road-trips/route-66/.
Contact: Lindsey Laird
llaird@riversandroutes.com
+1.618.465.6676
Photos provided by Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
