The Old Route 66 road from Chicago to St Louis is easily do-able in one day and is well worth it for all the Americana you’ll experience.
Can you take Route 66 from Chicago to St Louis?
Louis’s famed Gateway Arch, this guide will take you to the coolest attractions along Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis! If you don’t have the time to drive the entire 2,448 miles of Route 66, this abbreviated, 300-mile route is a really great option.
What is the best month to do Route 66?
The Short Answer:
The best time to take a Route 66 road trip is between April (late spring) to early July (early summer), and then, after the summer break ⁄ summer holidays: early fall (Labor day till late October).
How long does it take to drive Route 66 without stopping?
The total time on the road to drive Route 66 is 52 hours. That’s 2 full days and 4 hours solid on the road, changing drivers only at gas stations and not stopping for anything on the way. This does not include any stops, rest, sleep, eating, sight seeing or detours.
Where is the stop between St Louis and Chicago?
Best stops along Saint Louis to Chicago drive
- Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center.
- Dana Thomas House.
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
- Old State Capitol State Historic Site.
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
- Lincoln Monument Association.
- World’s Largest Railsplitter Covered Wagon.
- Paul Bunyan Statue.
Is driving Route 66 worth it?
Driving the entire 66 off the freeway is definitely a great experience. It takes some planning to get to see all the countless little things along the Route but that planning is worth it.
What is the most scenic part of Route 66?
21 Top Things to See & Do on Route 66
- 1 Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas) Cadillac Ranch / Credit: Mobilus In Mobili.
- 2 The Painted Desert (Indian Wells, Arizona)
- 3 The Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
- 4 St Louis and the Gateway Arch (St Louis, Missouri)
- 5 Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum (Pontiac, Illinois)
How long should you allow to drive Route 66?
You need around three weeks to complete Route 66. There is no perfect time to drive Route 66. Due to its sheer size, you’re likely to experience some adverse weather conditions, whatever the month.
Where should I start on Route 66?
If you want to start from the “official” beginning you can start your Route 66 journey from either Jackson Boulevard at Michigan Avenue or Jackson Boulevard at Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
What time of year is the best time to travel and Route 66?
The best time to take a Route 66 road trip is from late spring to early summer and in the early fall. The weather is usually temperate and roads are open, as are most Route 66 businesses.
What part of Route 66 is still drivable?
Although it is no longer possible to drive US 66 uninterrupted all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles, much of the original route and alternate alignments are still drivable with careful planning. Some stretches are quite well preserved, including one between Springfield, Missouri, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What is the best way to travel Route 66?
Drive a car or ride a motorcycle for the most authentic experience. Due to the road’s size, a car or motorcycle is the best way to experience Route 66. You’ll get a great view of all the sights and can stay at hotels or motels along the way. In some places, you may even be able to camp out!
Can you drive Route 66 in a week?
So to those asking “Can you do Route 66 in a week?, the answer is yes! you can and have a lot of fun doing it. Having said this, you should consider at least extending the ride to two weeks.
Where should I eat between St. Louis and Chicago?
Where to eat between St. Louis and Chicago
- Little Italy’s Pizza. 305 W Main St.
- Twistee Treat Diner at The Pink Elephant. 908 Veterans Memorial Dr.
- Best Western Carlinville Inn. 19067 West Frontage Road.
- Jo’s Place. 217 E Jackson St.
- Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery.
- D’arcy’s Pint.
- Flossie And Delzena’s.
- Alley-Bi Saloon.
What cities are between Chicago and St. Louis?
Road Trip from St Louis to Chicago
- St Louis, Missouri.
- St. Charles, Missouri.
- Springfield, Illinois.
- Bloomington, Illinois.
- Starved Rock State Park, Illinois.
- Chicago, Illinois.
Is St. Louis worth seeing?
With its cache of vibrant museums, gardens and parks, you’ll find plenty of reasons to meet in St. Louis. Families will enjoy visiting the Saint Louis Zoo, The Magic House and the Saint Louis Science Center. Meanwhile, artsy types can’t pass up a chance to check out the City Museum and the Saint Louis Art Museum.
Is it difficult to drive Route 66?
A Route 66 road trip is no ordinary holiday. Driving it is an exhilarating prospect, but putting plans together may also be slightly daunting. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and not everybody has time to explore every town or city that crops up along the route.
What is the big deal about Route 66?
Route 66 reduced the distance between Chicago and Los Angeles by more than 200 miles, which made Route 66 popular among thousands of motorists who drove west in subsequent decades. Like other highways of its day, Route 66 reflects the origin and evolution of road transportation in the United States.
Is driving Route 66 easy?
Driving through Texas, the terrain is flat and arid while Route 66 itself is very straight and easy to navigate (unlike in Illinois, where it was easy to get lost and it felt like we were constantly going around in circles, traversing through small town after small town).
What was the most popular stop on Route 66?
Whale of a Time in Catoosa, Oklahoma
The Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma is one of Route 66’s most famous landmarks. Built in the early 1970s by Hugh Davis for his wife, Zelta, who collected all things whales, it soon became a Route 66 icon.
Does Route 66 pass the Grand Canyon?
The magical Grand Canyon National Park is just north of Route 66 and is worth the slight detour. This 200-mile-long, dramatic canyon of the Colorado River is a destination in and of itself, and is easily one of the best natural formations along the historic route.