Route 66 Illinois: Start to Finish

Route 66, known as the Main Street of America, stretches from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. The 2,400-mile journey spans eight states and three time zones, passing through small towns, sprawling cityscapes, and diverse terrains.

Established in 1926, this legendary road was the primary migration route for midwest farm workers during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. By the 1950s, Route 66 was the main highway for travelers heading to Los Angeles. This led to the creation of local businesses along the route.

Through the influence of literature, music, and film, Route 66 has come to symbolize the essence of American exploration and adventure. Despite the efficiency of the interstate highway system, modern freeways lack the nostalgia that Route 66 embodies. The old roads that make up the Main Street of America continue to attract travelers who seek the enduring allure of the open road.

Route 66 Travel Guides and Tips:

Google Maps can be helpful if you turn on the “avoid highways” feature. Without this feature enabled, Google Maps will continually try to send you back to the interstate, which you are usually trying to avoid while driving Route 66!

Timestamps:

0:00 Chicago
1:37 Berwyn
1:50 The History of Route 66
2:29 Joliet
3:24 Wilmington and Braidwood
4:02 Dwight
4:51 Pontiac
6:39 Normal and Bloomington
7:30 Atlanta
7:51 Lincoln
8:45 Springfield
12:00 Auburn and Livingston

Music and Images:

[jimcabezola]

I've only traveled on Route 66 from Santa Monica to Oklahoma. It's wonderful to see you've seen all the rest of it.
Oh! The SOUND of that bottle of soda your daughter pulled out of the machine brought back so many 1960s memories to me!
Mahalo for this marvelous travelogue!

[alive]

I am so jealous. My mother left the USA for South Africa when I was 3 months old. Seventy years later, and still an American citizen, I am sad to say I have never been back to the country of my birth. I will live and travel vicariously through you Lidia. Have fun!

[bradleygaudet]

I totally want to drive the length of Route 66 someday with my significant other. Thanks for sharing your journey!

[RogerStephensTheWrenchMonkey]

Love you guys. You are having so much fun. Awesome video 🙂

[ChristinaG-yszb]

Wow! So many great things to do! Love this video!

[speedlearner]

And a hearty good afternoon to you from Illinois. I saw that you visited Berwyn. But it looks like you missed five places on your journey through the town the Berwyn. Did you visit Countryside Illinois? Did you visit Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket or the White Fence Farms? Did you travel to Romeoville Illinois?

How much rain did you receive? Where did you find the silhouette of the Blues Brothers? Why didn't you visit the towns of Elwood or Godley? I noticed the green pick up truck that you videotaped in Pontiac. Did you notice the chrome plated sign behind the pickup truck? There is a neat story connected to that sign. If you want to know what I'm referring to, feel free to contact me.