Route 66

Day 1 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Route 66 Begin Sign

   Adams Street at Michigan Avenue, Chicago; where the westbound road begins

   Morning · 15 min

   Take the start-of-the-trip photo at the brown "Begin Historic Route 66" sign on Adams Street, across from the Art Institute.

Day 2 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Gemini Giant

   Wilmington; 30-foot fiberglass spaceman, now at the entrance to South Island Park

   Midday · 15 min

   Stand under the 30-foot spaceman with his helmet and rocket for the classic roadside photo.

Day 3 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum

   Pontiac; road memorabilia in the old city hall and fire station

   Midday · 60 min

   Walk through the collection of road memorabilia and see the vehicles of the late Route 66 artist and mapmaker Bob Waldmire.

Day 4 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Soulsby Service Station

   Mount Olive; small station built in 1926, the year Route 66 began

   Midday · 15 min

   Stop for a look at a gas station as old as Route 66.

Day 5 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Chain of Rocks Bridge

   Mississippi River near St. Louis; mile-long old bridge with a bend in the middle, walkers only

   Morning · 60 min

   Walk or bike out over the Mississippi to the bend in the middle of the bridge.

Day 6 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

   Collinsville; earthwork city of about 1100 and Monks Mound, a World Heritage Site

   Morning · 90 min

   Climb the stairs to the top of Monks Mound and look out over the plaza and the remaining mounds.